The Lone Star State Joins the Old-Growth Forest Network

On May 5th, 2023, Texas officially joined the Old-Growth Forest Network as the Cross Timbers Trail of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge (FWNC&R) was recognized for its commitment to preserving its magnificent old-growth forest. Located in Tarrant County and an easy 20-minute drive from downtown Fort Worth, the Nature Center is a hidden gem in the midst of one of the largest urban areas in the United States.

FWNC&R encompasses a whopping 3,621 acres and is filled with a wide variety of ecosystems, including prime examples of the famous Western Cross Timber Forest, Great Plains grasslands, and verdant wetlands. The Cross Timbers Trail offers the best viewing of the old-growth forest sections and is one of the more secluded trails in the park, allowing for the perfect opportunity for visitors to relax and meditate amongst some very old trees. Some of the trees found within the borders of the refuge are over 250 years old, including species like post, bur, and blackjack oak, pecan, American elm, and cottonwood.

The West Fork of the Trinity River flows into Lake Worth and bisects the refuge down the middle with hiking trails on either side of the water. FWNC&R also offers a paddle sport launch point where visitors can begin their canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard adventure. Paddle sports enthusiasts can explore the various inlets and marsh areas of the Trinity River or enjoy the quiet and calm waters of the northernmost section of Lake Worth.

There has been a herd of bison living within the refuge’s borders since 1973 and offers visitors the unique opportunity to view and study this keystone species that was once prolific across the Great Plains. With over 20 miles of hiking trails, the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is one of the largest city-owned parks in the country. If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area or find yourself visiting, be sure to add the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge to your list of places to check out!

While OGFN was in the Southern Great Plains, we also celebrated Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area in the heart of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our second forest in Oklahoma and the first one in Tulsa County, Turkey Mountain is beloved by Tulsans as it’s been a long-standing source of outdoor recreation and enjoyment for decades. Coming in at over 600 acres large, the park is situated on the banks of the Arkansas River and an easy 15-minute drive from downtown.

Another prime specimen of the Cross Timber Forest, Turkey Mountain contains many similar tree species as the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, such as redbud, hickory, and post and blackjack oak. Some of the oak trees have been dated as far back as the 1800s! Large portions of the park are covered in a thick canopy of rugged trees that continue to thrive due to their proximity to the mighty Arkansas River. The park contains over 45 miles of dirt trails and is widely popular with trail runners and mountain bikers alike. Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area is owned and managed by the River Parks Authority, who have agreed that the park will remain unlogged and open to the public in perpetuity.

States like Oklahoma and Texas might not immediately illicit visions of old-growth forests, but once you’re there, it’s hard not to feel the wonder and awe that comes from standing amongst trees that are hundreds of years old. The Old-Growth Forest Network team hopes you’ll keep an eye out for more unexpected forests, just like the Fort Worth Nature Center and Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. If you come across a forest that you think should be nominated to be included in the Network, please do so by filling out this simple form.