Ned Fritz Legacy Project

Ned and Genie Fritz adored Bill Oliver. He was their favorite folksinger by far. Bill would lead the song circles at TCONR's epic forest campouts, often singing all night under the stars and heading to their tents in the early morning, just as the birders were leaving theirs.

But more than songs, Ned admired Bill's commitment to the environment and willingness to stand up and speak out. Both believed nature education was vital to the future of nature, but also knew it had to be fun.

Settle in an enjoy Ned and Genie's favorite Bill Oliver tunes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxzJ2A_cscN3pev70xSAsfp7z9LGa5fAI&si=ciK5wh8ymuvA2stX

Frost-coated trees on the River Stour in Suffolk UK by MD photography.

Ned loved trees!

Ned Fritz Legacy: a biography in process
https://nedfritz.com/

Sandy river delta showing dendritic tree form.

Ned loved trees!

Ned Fritz Legacy: a biography in process
https://nedfritz.com/

Unique and insightful. Ned would've loved this book. You'll never see the Trinity River the same way again. 50% off until Aug 27.

Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth (https://wild-dfw.com/) is proud to be kicking off Scott McFarlane's book tour for The River That Made Texas: A Forgotten History of the Trinity. See info below.

It's not until October, but you need to be reading this book now! https://uncpress.org/9781469698366/the-river-that-made-texas/ -pdf
35% off all with code 01HISTORY250 until end of August. Or try 01NEWSITE50 for 50% off until August 27.

Message from the publisher:
"How the relentless but largely forgotten Trinity River shaped Texas

Today, half of Texas’s expanding population, including the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston, depends on the Trinity River, a river that has shaped the state’s politics, economy, and environment for centuries. From the prairies of North Texas to the Gulf of Mexico, the Trinity established Native nations, foiled Spanish and French imperialism, stood at the center of the Texas plantation system, and fueled the growth of the state’s largest cities.

In the first history of this vital river, historian Scot McFarlane illuminates how the Trinity has defined Texas history. Its floods enriched the soil and destroyed crops, its channel served as both a route and barrier to freedom, and its once-polluted waters now sustain a significant portion of the state.

McFarlane’s captivating narrative brims with stories of the people who called the Trinity home over the centuries: the Comanche, steamboat pilots, enslaved and freed people, sharecroppers, inmates, and millions of urban residents. The result is a fresh perspective on economic development, slavery, and the environment—revealing the Trinity not as a backdrop to Texas history but as a force that shaped it."

The History & Beauty of the Trinity
with Scot McFarlane & Amy Martin

Oct 18 Sun – 10:30 am to noon
TC Paddlesports at Panther Island
480 N Taylor St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Complete info: https://www.facebook.com/events/2127092601490587

Ned loved trees!

Ned Fritz Legacy: a biography in process
https://nedfritz.com/

In the Light by Bob Stuth-Wade

Ned loved trees!

Ned Fritz Legacy: a biography in process
https://nedfritz.com/

December sunset by Julius R. Virca

Ned loved trees!

Ned Fritz Legacy: a biography in process
https://nedfritz.com/

Autumn aspens by Christine Redding.

Ned loved trees!

Ned Fritz Legacy: a biography in process
https://nedfritz.com/

Sunday reading! Ned Fritz Legacy is proud to have assisted this project for of Bachman Lake . Bachman Creek ran through Ned and Genie's yard. Legacy researcher Amy Martin found in Ned's files lists he made of the greenbelt's plants and wildlife, so these researchers could compare how four decades of surrounding development impacted the flora and fauna.

Ned formed Save Open Space in the '80s to try and prevent nearby Joe's Creek from being channelized. After it was, the city devised similar plans for Bachman Creek. Ned was determined not to let that happen and not only succeeded, but the victory led to Dallas' first greenbelt park.

READ: https://www.friendsofbachmanlake.org/post/ecology-research-in-the-greenbelt

Ned Fritz launched the municipal practice of riparian greenbelts in Dallas, starting the creek that ran through his yard: Bachman Creek. Once he prevented its channelization, he pushed to turn the unused parklands along it into a place where people could walk and enjoy wildflowers. One of the more underheralded aspects of Ned was how much he appreciated prairies.

Message from Prairie Chapter .blacklandprairie of Prairie Association of Texas :

August 16 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northaven Rd, Dallas, TX 75230

Join the Blackland Prairie Chapter of Native Prairies Association of Texas at their monthly chapter meeting featuring a presentation by Jeff Brown of of Bachman Lake, giving an overview of the organization’s work. Friends of Bachman Lake works to protect and restore green space around Bachman Lake Park in Northwest Dallas, including restoring the Bachman Greenbelt to a native Texas prairie and riparian ecosystem across more than 40 urban acres. Their focus on native plant restoration and urban prairie habitat makes their work a natural fit with NPAT’s mission, and a great topic for our chapter to hear more about.

The event is open to the public and intended for adults interested in native prairies, conservation, and volunteer engagement.

Please RSVP: https://texasprairie.org/event/bnpat-meeting-aug2026