3/2-6/06: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

March 2-6, 2006
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose, Texas - by Lynda DeGroot
On Wednesday, March 2nd, a small band of Trail Tamers converged on Fossil Rim Wildlife Center just outside of Glen Rose, Texas---about 1-1/2 hours southwest of Ft. Worth. At the request of Anne Bolte, Education Specialist at Fossil Rim, we were asked if we would come and share our expertise with them, and repair one of their hiking trails that had become too dangerous to use.

Upon arrival at Fossil Rim on Wednesday around lunchtime, Anne greeted us and showed us our accommodations. We unloaded our gear and took everything to our cabins. A bit later we were joined Nina & Cy Francis, who drove down from Ft. Worth to help after they found out about our project. The next day, we were joined by some local families and, later on, a couple of fellows from Dallas came to help and also talk to us about a possible project in their area.

We decided to look at the trail right away in order to see what needed to be done, so we grabbed a few tools and followed Anne to the end of the trail near our cabins. It was nearly impassible with all sorts of shrubby brush blocking the way, so several of the crew went right to work cutting a decent path. The rest of us headed down the trail to size up what else needed to be done...and there was plenty!

Numerous water bars sat in the middle of wide spaces where the trail used to be. The soil had washed away from them. Other parts of the trail were steep and slippery, while other sections were rocky and overgrown with low-hanging branches. Once we assessed the situation, we rolled up our sleeves and went to work.

The weather was perfect and we got a lot done that first afternoon. We could have continued, but it was late and our dinner had arrived. Anne ordered several delicious pizzas for us, including dessert! Yum! We enjoyed our meal and then discussed our plan of action for the following days. Afterward, everyone headed for the cabins.

Much time was spent replacing or realigning most of the water bars and putting steps in the steep, slippery sections. Steve Baker, Jim Schmidt, Alex Arreguin and Cy Francis worked hard on those steps and waterbars while Nina Francis, Debbie Galloway and Mary Zeitler were the lopper crew who made the trail passable. Alex, Debbie and I moved some big rocks at the other end of the trail, leveling it out where possible and adding steps to make it user-friendly. On Saturday afternoon we finished all we could do. Anne and one of the interns at the center, walked the trail and were amazed at how much work we had done and how much better and safer the trail looked!

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, Anne and her staff had breakfast ready for us and when noon rolled around, they brought us lunch. When each day ended, they prepared a mighty fine dinner as well! On Sunday, before heading back to our homes, we were treated to breakfast at the Fossil Rim Café© and were given a terrific “behind-the-scenes” tour of the entire wildlife center and it's array of animals!

If you've never heard of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, it's a research and educational facility dedicated to protecting and maintaining scores of animals from around the world that are either extinct in their native lands or on the verge of extinction. The center maintains a captive breeding program that seeks to gradually increase the number of these magnificent animals so they may eventually be returned to the wild. This is a wonderful place to visit and to learn more about!