Ned & Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail Spring 2023 Walks

Ned and Genie Fritz  joined our church on June 12th, 1946. Ned, who died in 2008, and his wife Genie, still an active member of the church, were instrumental in establishing the Big Thicket National Preserve and wilderness areas in East Texas. Ned founded or co-founded the Texas chapter of The Nature Conservancy in 1964 and, subsequently, the Texas League of Conservation Voters, Texas Conservation Alliance, Texas Land Conservancy, and Dallas Sierra Club.

This spring, you are invited to take an amble on the newly restored Ned and Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail.

A highlight of early spring is the blooming season for Texas buckeyes. This grove next to the Trinity River was discovered in the early ’70s Ned Fritz as he was identifying natural areas that would be destroyed by plans for a Trinity barge canal. During the process of fighting the canal, the name Great Trinity Forest arose. After defeating canal plans, Fritz led very popular and famously muddy annual walks to see the blooms. Over time, a series of soft-surface trails was created. In 2019, the trails were officially named the Ned and Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trails. For more on Ned and Genie, check out NedFritz.com.

Limited to 15 walkers per walk, 1.2 miles each way on soft-surface trail.  Moderate difficulty. Walks led by North Texas Master Naturalists.

WALK SCHEDULE

Sun., 3/26   2:30-4:30            Eileen Fritz McKee (Ned & Genie’s daughter), Michael McKee (Ned & Genie’s grandson)

                                               & Kristi Kerr Leonard

                                                                      Eileen & Michael: Tales of Fritz family nature excursions.

                                                                      Kristi: The naturalist wonders of the Great Trinity Forest, trail restoration & Ned Fritz Legacy.

Sat., 4/1       10:00a–12:00      Richard Grayson & Michael McKee (Ned & Genie’s grandson)

                                                                       Richard: Gain crucial insight into the Trinity River and its plight.

                                                                       Michael: Tales of Fritz family nature excursions.

Sun., 4/2     2:30-4:30            Amy Martin & Frankie Vaca

                                                           Amy: The legacy of Ned and Genie Fritz, and Trinity River history and ecology.

                                                                       Frankie: Discovering wonder in nature.

Sat., 4/8      10:00a–12:00      Kristi Kerr Leonard & Michael McKee (Ned & Genie’s grandson)  

                                                                      Michael: Tales of Fritz family nature excursions.

                                                                      Kristi: The naturalist wonders of the Great Trinity Forest, trail restoration & Ned Fritz Legacy.

Sun., 4/9     2:30-4:30            Tim Gibson & Kristi Kerr Leonard

                                                                       Tim: Great Trinity Forest flora, fauna, and ecology.

                                                                       Kristi: The naturalist wonders of the Great Trinity Forest, trail restoration & Ned Fritz Legacy.