Wild DFW
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Buy

Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth 

Full moon over West Fork of the Trinity by Teresa Patterson.

by Amy Martin

Reviews below! Click to send me yours

Bring your books to the book release parties or talks (except ones held where the book is sold) and get them signed. Click here for the calendar.

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Tangible & Online Retail

Buy it locally in person starting July 11 at these North Texas retail outlets. More to be added. Best to call first and make sure in case it’s sold out.

Attend any book release party, book talk, or most Adventure walks and get a personally signed version, or bring yours to get signed (except at bookstores). Cash, check, or credit cards. A full list of walks and talks here. Check out these fun book release parties.

If your retail establishment would like to carry the book, please contact Timber Press.

Reviews

Reviews! Click to send me yours.

Retail Reviews

Wild DFW. I am so excited about this beautiful book and am looking forward to many adventures in and around Dallas. ~ Jeanne K. (via Pretty Things & Cool Stuff) 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful book!!! Long awaited with anticipation, Amy Martin’s latest creation is superb, well researched and written. The history and geography is incredible, along with every detail. It is a must-have resource for every visitor and dweller of our metroplex! ~ TS M. (via Pretty Things & Cool Stuff) 5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely love this book. I already know quite a bit about DFW nature, but there was more to learn. We’ve camped at every DFW State Park and have visited many of the places listed in the book, but there are some new places that we definitely need to visit and some old ones we should revisit in another season. It will definitely be buying this book for our home library. If you are looking to learn more about the nature in DFW and places you can visit to observe nature, then this is the book for you. Thank you NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to review this book. ~ HomeSchoolMom (via Target) 5 out of 5 stars

Really Enjoyable Read. Wild DFW was a wonderful read, really well written. Amy provides great insight into DFW area nature spots, and I really enjoyed her including conversations and comments from the people that have a personal involvement in the various nature areas. ~ Lisa R. T. (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book about wild places in DFW! Despite being one of the largest metropolitan areas of the United States with millions of people, DFW also hosts a wide number of places where nature still thrives. This book is excellent at highlighting those places and the animals and plants that live there. The author’s writing style is excellent. It really gives you the drive to get out there and explore these places on your own. ~ Amazon customer (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Fantastic for families! I am so excited to have received this book – it’s phenomenal. We are relatively new to the DFW area and have small kids. This is an excellent guide to help us get outdoors more with our kids when the weather cools down a little bit. It’s a beautiful book with wonderful pictures, easy to understand explanations, and really helpful tips for a family like ours who really wants to spend more time in nature but isnt quite sure where to get started. ~ Amanda (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

You’ll never ask what’s there to do in Dallas again! Born and reared in Dallas until 1962, I had no knowledge of the outside adventure possibilities. This amazing compendium of myriad sites opens a brand new world. The photos lace every page, the maps and addresses and directions are complete, and the whole book is so enticing. Even if you’re not particularly an outdoorsy wanderer, you’ll find something to intrigue your interest: bird, animal, plant, river. The love poured into it is brilliant. So highly recommended and maximum stars. ~ Sibyl White (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Wonderful book!!! Long awaited with great anticipation, Amy Martin’s latest is superb, well researched and written. The history and geography are incredible, along with every detail. It is a must-have resource for every visitor and dweller of our Metroplex! ~ Ts M (via Pretty Things & Cool Stuff)

Thorough and easy to navigate. Although this book is very heavy in weight, the research is up-to-date and thorough. The photos are beautiful and chapters are easy to navigate. I will enjoy this guide to nature in Dallas and Ft. Worth for many years to come. ~ Louise D. Somes (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Using This As A Travel Guide. My friends and I are using this as a guide to find wild places in our local area. We always though we would have to drive way far out for any nice nature experiences, but it is wonderful to know what is around here. I also love the animal section, makes me feel like a kid when I am flipping through it reading about all the different animals in the area. I love that my home is getting wonderful books like this that help out the community. ~ Anonymous (via Barnes & Noble) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

This book is great – full of color pictures and great ideas of places to explore in DFW area. ~ Robyn (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Very handy guide! This guidebook is by an author I was not familiar with. She has an impressive amount of experience and involvement with the DWF area described. Yes, I did some online snooping to see if she actually lived in or around and actually knew DFW. The counties included Denton and Collin which puzzled me. The DFW region has certainly changed over the years, now including counties which used to be rural farmland. My youth was spent north of Denton on a large farm/ranch with a creek and copperheads, so especially appreciated the section on creeks, brought back many priceless memories. Wish I still had all those fossils I found. Having lived within driving distance of DFW for over sixty years I found this book one of the most unique and useful of it’s kind. The lakes and rivers of the adventures are integral to the regions described.

The content is well laid out in easy to read comprehensive sections. It doesn’t have to be read in order, easy to navigate to specific sections or locations you’d want to explore. The guides, pictures and drawings are lovely and useful. The birds who live and migrate in to our state are well represented in the narrative. A diverse selection of native Texas plant species are pictured and depicted, along with predators, reptiles etc. Pertinent information about invasive nonnative plants and their effect on our ecology is especially fascinating. Most of the adventure areas suggested were familiar but there is a wealth of information included that was new and fresh to me.

Wish I’d had access to this type of guide back when dragging the kids around Texas. It’s the type of reference guide you will continue to use and refer to. It’s not overwrought with technical lingo, just relatable terms. It could be used repeatedly for many adventures. I would recommend purchasing and reading it to both native Texas and new transplants. My gratitude to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Wild DFW” by Amy Martin, published by Timber Press. Expected publication date is August 29, 2023. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation. ~ V.M. (via Amazon) 4.0 out of 5 stars.

Wild About This Book!!! Amy Martin has such an expansive knowledge of the wildlife in our area. She’s such an icon in Dallas and surrounding communities. Love the love and attention she has put into this book with the fine art and descriptive language. So thrilled to recommend this book! ~ Matt (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Using This As A Travel Guide. My friends and I are using this as a guide to find wild places in our local area. We always though we would have to drive way far out for any nice nature experiences, but it is wonderful to know what is around here. I also love the animal section, makes me feel like a kid when I am flipping through it reading about all the different animals in the area. I love that my home is getting wonderful books like this that help out the community. ~ Anonymous (via Barnes & Noble) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Great Nature Read! I already know quite a bit about DFW nature, but there was more to learn. We’ve camped at every DFW State Park and have visited many of the places listed in the book, but there are some new places that we definitely need to visit and some old ones we should revisit in another season. It will definitely be buying this book for our home library. If you are looking to learn more about the nature in DFW and places you can visit to observe nature, then this is the book for you. Thank you NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to review this book. ~ Cschweikert (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Excellent info, photos and maps…exquisitely written. I found this book more than helpful. Martin’s deep knowledge of and reverence for these sites, their flora, fauna and history flows through these pages. She made me feel like I was right there with her breathing in the fragrances of forests, wildflowers, rivers and lakes. I could almost feel the crunch of leaves under my hiking shoes and hear the birdsong. The photos of forests, trails, trees, birds and other critters are beautiful. The maps are easy to read with helpful illustrations.

It seems most nature or hiking guides are factual but tend toward dry and terse. Not this one. I’ve never read a nature or hiking guide that was so exquisitely written, yet still clear and concise. I’m freshly motivated to find and explore each of these sites with this book to hand. Many adventures ahead for me with family and friends. ~ Sally King (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

DFW is FULL of nature! Wow, what a great guide to it! What a tremendous guide to visitors and residents of Dallas/Fort Worth! If you need a break from traffic and the concrete jungle, Amy Martin provides a ‘go to’ list of places throughout the DFW metroplex to engage with nature. Not only will you learn about the locations, but you’ll also learn about the wild natural residents of the urban ecosystem from insects to plants to birds to mammals. What a fantastic book! It’s a great gift to anyone that’s been to DFW! ~ Sam Kieschnick (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

A Must Have for Those in DFW area with an Interest in Nature! I believe exposure to nature and the natural world is so important for mental health and well being, and such an important development tool in the kit of how to raise a self sufficient and curious child. The author is an urban wildlife biologist, and takes a close look at the DFW area in terms of wildlife, both flora and fauna.

The book first looks at how our area was geographically formed. Fort Worth and Dallas not only have very different characters, but they actually lie on two different and distinct land formations. There is some detailed history, then there are lovely photos showing all the animals that can be found in our area, and natirve plants that can flourish here. The author encourages using native plants, both to help our wildlife community, but also for ecological purposes. I already have a pollinator garden, but I will try to improve the amount of native plants in it.

Near the end of the book are nature areas that can be found in DFW, and a guide for what plants and wildlife you might see there.

I consider this to be a must-have book for anyone in DFW who wants to know more about the environment that surrounds us, and anyone who wants to get closer to nature. There were areas highlighted that I knew nothing about, and I’ve lived in Fort Worth my whole life! ~ Cynthia (via Amazon) 5.0 out of 5 stars.

Public Reviews

I must chime in about this amazing new book by my friend, Amy Martin. First thing I noticed was the weight. It’s a heavy sucker. Second: It’s very informative and scholarly, more than your typical book of this genre. I actually learned a lot. Third: The writing is brilliant. She has the eye and mind of a naturalist and the heart and soul of a poet. Yes, she flatters me and Friends of Tandy Hills in her chapter on Tandy Hills, but tastefully so. (Several of my photos are generously included, as well.) She does the same on all the other chapters and the people involved. Perhaps the best compliment I can offer is that the writing and sentiments are genuine, not just done for money or fame, but a true love and understanding of the subject and its importance and impact on local communities. Example: If it were me, I would take a break after such a long-haul achievement, but Amy has scheduled walks and talks about her book, all over DFW, well into 2024. I urge you to buy a copy of the book and take advantage of one of these events. You will see for yourself the amazing places you can go in Wild DFW. ~ Don Young, Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, Fort Worth

Oh Happy Day!  I have received a true gift for myself that I’ve been anticipating for over three years!  On May 15, 2020 I received an inauspicious email from an acquisition editor from Timber Press wondering if I knew any naturalists that might be interested in publishing a “guide to the natural world of Dallas”.  I took mere seconds to endorse my friend Amy Martin.  As many of you know, the rest is literally written in the history books (or at least it is written in a glorious new book I own as of this evening).  As soon as I heard that Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth was being released via a wonderful bundle from Pretty Things & Cool Stuff, I ordered my copy!  The box arrived today and I was instantly a little girl on Christmas morning.  The bundle was beautifully gift-wrapped with care.  The handwritten personalized card was a lovely touch, and I can’t wait to try the diffuser bottle.  Please consider purchasing this book if you love DFW, nature, or if you just want to learn about the glorious natural areas of this sprawling metropolis.  Amy is a superb guide to all things wild and beautiful.  ~ Carol Garrison, Garland

Amy’s book is a great guide for DFW nature newcomers and old-timers alike. And it’s really beautiful! ~ Linda Donnelly, Oak Cliff

My friend, Amy Martin, has written a wonderful book. It’s chock full of just the kind of info you need to get out and explore DFW nature. The first third of the book is a fun and very readable primer on the different ecosystems here in North Texas. Then she takes you along on 25 hiking adventures that will have you eager to explore our great outdoors. I was lucky enough to accompany her on one of the hikes, at Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center in Denton, and you’ll find photos of mine featured for that one. Check it out! ~ Diane Wetherbee, Lantana

My copy of Wild D-FW: Exploring the Amazing Nature In and Around Dallas-Fort Worth arrived yesterday! I knew the contents would be excellent because of Amy’s Facebook sharing. However, there are so many colorful images throughout.  The attractive  “paperback” cover is thicker and sturdy and feels textured.  Consider investing in “Wild D-FW” as both a reference book and a “coffee table” book.  You’ll be taking another look every time you see it. ~ Angel-Light Love, Garland

My copy of Wild DFW arrived today! Wow!!! What a gargantuan achievement. And what a gift to all of us who call DFW our home. It’s a beautifully designed book bursting with love for the natural world. Thank you, Amy, for all you did to make this book a reality. What an accomplishment! Buy this book, people. ~ Karen Blessen, Dallas

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex has a population of eight million, more than 35 of the 50 states. Traffic and the other problems that come with that are all present. The good news, there are havens of escape right here in our own midst. My good friend, Amy Martin, a journalist with over 35 years of experience, author of several books, and eminent conservationist, has just released her new book, Wild DFW. She identifies these “havens,” over 25 to be exact, along with beautiful color photographs. This year is the 50th anniversary of the defeat of the Trinity Barge Canal, one of the truly epic political battles in Texas history. Had that vote gone differently, much of what Amy shows us here would not have been possible. ~ Alan Steelman, Dallas

It’s here!!! My copy of Wild DFW by Amy Martin just arrived, and I am ecstatic! A detailed overview of our North Texas region and the natural wonders found here, along with 25 (wow!) local adventures and tons of beautiful photos. I’ve already scanned through and found many familiar faces and names. Great work Amy and all that were involved. ~ Amber Arseneaux, Cleburne

Check it out!  I’m famous!  Nah, just a lovely shoutout featuring my lawn-to-natives transformation in a chapter of Amy Martin’s new book, Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth.  This book is perfect for anyone wanting to get out and explore nature around the metroplex. There are so many hidden gems you’ve probably never heard of.  ~ Cindy McInturff Kearney, Dallas

Pushing through and getting the word in print about natural spaces in DFW is truly a success. It’s not just flat urban sprawl. Congratulations! ~ Julie Collins, Fort Worth

Got home and curled up on the couch with my copy….and realized I was grinning ear to ear as I read. It’s both a fascinating piece of work, and a wonderful labor of love. ~ Susannah Garza, Dallas

A must-have shelf reference book for all of us with visiting friends and family that like to get out into the wild. ~ Ella StClair, Dallas

So much packed into this amazing book! Love the tons of photos and info on plants & animals & trails & descriptions & advice &&& — a real keeper for anyone living in the DFW area. This is one fantastic book all about DFW’s plants, animals, hiking trails, and land, with maps, descriptions, advice and more. Hats off to you & Timber Press and the many, MANY people (including Scooter) who helped pull it all together. ~ Mary Guthrie, Dallas

I am enjoying Wild DFW tremendously! Your writing style is engaging and delightful. I especially like how you have lots of helpful maps. ~ Reba Collins, Garland

Wow!!! I finally got my copy, and we are just blown away. What an incredibly comprehensive and well-written book 👏👏👏. Can’t wait to explore some places I’ve never been to, right here in DFW. ~ Susan Sterling Kacines, Allen

The book is so much fun to read! New places to visit this fall! ~ Wendel Withrow, Fort Worth

Wild DFW is so good! It has history and information about our local wildlife and nature and some awesome day trips to places to see it all. Best of all is that it has many photos from two of my favorite local wildlife/nature photographers, Karin Saucedo and Tracey Fandre. They have been capturing the beauty of our local landscape and animals for years and they are so talented!! Check out this book; you’ll love it! ~ Keri Gleason Ostermann, Dallas

Received my copy today and began reading. What an incredible book. As always, Amy has done another amazing job writing! ~ Rita Laurent, Dallas

Loving Amy Martin’s new book Wild DFW! No surprise my fave page is the passionflower! She includes the religious connection AND the irreverent, “As bees gather nectar, stamens bonk their heads, depositing a healthy dab of pollen, which they transfer to the next bloom.” Just love that! ~ Nancy Amos, Arlington

I highly recommend Dallas master naturalist Amy Martin’s wonderful new book “Wild DFW” to my North Central Texas friends. The first part of the book is a well-researched and written natural history field guide of Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin County watersheds, ecosystems, geology, plant communities, and the flora and fauna of North Central Texas. Another part is a great guidebook to a wide variety of the best natural areas and public parks and nature preserves of North Texas, with lots of outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, wildlife habitat, canoeing, or just exploring a creek bottom. You and your family will be glad bought this great book. Access and location of natural areas, parks, and preserves is well documented along with detailed trail descriptions and the ecological features you can expect to explore and enjoy. ~ Joe Wells, Taos, NM (former Dallas)

Got home and curled up on the couch with my copy… and realized I was grinning ear to ear as I read. It’s both a fascinating piece of work, and a wonderful labor of love. Congratulations, well done! ❤️ ~ Susannah Garza, Dallas

Enthralling book & presentation. Your book is 100 percent what DFW needs for newcomers, old timers, municipalities, etc. Really an excellent, all-around great book! ~ Michelle V, Fort Worth

I so love your writing style. Very friendly and easy yet full with deep interesting descriptions. ~ Barbara Baynham, Garland

I love Wild DFW! Its detail. Key naturalists, and hidden gems for hiking, birding, and canoeing, You are an amazing advocate and voice for nature in and near urban life. ~ Susan Hamilton, Dallas

Book Photographers

I’m one of the photographers who contributed to this book and I was so excited to get a peek at it before it hits the stores. It is lovely and so detailed. My personal favorite part is all of the wonderful places listed that are good wildlife areas. I’ve been to many of them and the information provided was very good. I’m actually looking forward to going to the places I haven’t been. ~ Tracey Fandre, Garland (via Goodreads)

Amy Martin is a well-known naturalist in the Dallas area. Some of my pictures are in this book. Excellent book for people to know about nature spots around DFW. ~ Rajiv Roy, Dallas

I got my copy today and it is amazing! All you Dallas peeps, Nature lovers, and hikers need to get yourselves a copy and one for a friend! Amy Martin did a phenomenal job putting this together, walking the trails and finding the photographs and oh so much more. Let’s make her famous! (And on a side note, I am honored to have two of my photos included in this lovely book.) Plan on getting outside and enjoying these fantastic local places! ~ Elaine Epps White, Garland

Great primer for new naturalists and a treat for nature nuts! Amy is a bundle of energy and a leader among us local naturalists. While we all dream about writing a book, she goes out and does it. ~ Nick Mirro, Dallas

My wife and I have been reading it over coffee in the morning. It’s so well put together and we’re really impressed with how much information there is! ~ Adam Cochran, Arlington 

It was an amazing experience to work on this wonderful guide with great people from the North Texas area. Amy Martin did an excellent job creating a guide to the metroplex and outlining areas for all nature enthusiasts. ~ Justin Parker, JP Nature Photography, Celina

So many nature books either go all story mode, or field mode, with no in between. Wild DFW seems to have broken all the molds. I love how it has information, stories, and field guides, as well as chapters I was not expecting like the weather one. My mind is blown how organized and detailed this book is. Each section is laid out to where you can find a topic or topics one might have a particular interest in. I am just amazed by the quality and the aesthetic as a whole. This will help people know that there is far more than meets the eye in our corner of the world. This is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf or naturalist library. ~ Zachary Chapman, Arlington

Congratulations on such an accomplished guide and thank you from all of us nature lovers. ~ Sonnia Fajardo Hill, Ben Wheeler 

Amy’s book is book is fantastic. If you only had one guide to use, this is it. More than a guide, the first section offerrs a concise review of the natural history and ecology of the area before getting into the flora and fauna of the region, then on to the many adventures she experienced and encourages us to take. This book won’t gather dust on your shelf, but is one you will want to leave out and refer to frequently. Flip to any page and you will find beautiful photos, stories to entertain and inspire, and always something new to learn. Every library in the area should have this on their shelves. Get a copy and plan your next adventure into the many natural spaces in the DFW region. ~ Clay Thurmond, Denton

Goodreads Reviews

Wild DFW is an awesome guide to nature in DFW. It covers the history of the land and the different ecosystems found across the Metroplex. My favorite feature is the Trinity River section which lists kayak/canoe trails. ~ Jennifer Hazen (via Goodreads)

Having lived within driving distance of DFW for over sixty years I found this book one of the most unique and useful of its kind. The lakes and rivers of the adventures are integral to the regions described. The content is well laid out in easy-to-read comprehensive sections. It doesn’t have to be read in order, easy to navigate to specific sections or locations you’d want to explore. The guides, pictures and drawings are lovely and useful. The birds who live and migrate into our state are well represented in the narrative. A diverse selection of native Texas plant species is pictured and depicted, along with predators, reptiles, etc. Pertinent information about invasive non-native plants and their effect on our ecology is especially fascinating. Most of the adventure areas suggested were familiar but there is a wealth of information included that was new and fresh to me. Wish I’d had access to this type of guide back when dragging the kids around Texas. It’s the type of reference guide you will continue to use and refer to. It’s not overwrought with technical lingo, just relatable terms. It could be used repeatedly for many adventures. I would recommend purchasing and reading it to both native Texas and new transplants. ~ V (via Goodreads)

I really enjoyed this book! I would highly recommend that (especially) residents of the DFW area read it and see what you have been missing out on if you love nature. I found tons of places I haven’t stumbled upon in my own wanderings. Everything was listed out with details on parking/available restrooms, what to expect, plant life, beautiful hand-drawn pictures, as well as photos). I am really excited to go to some of these places myself and see if I can feel the same level of love and wonder that the author projects in her writings about them. There are suggested adventures you can do by car, foot, or watercraft. I especially liked all the information provided about the various communities and locations where you could learn in depth about specific ecosystems. The only minor complaint I can possibly dredge up is the overuse of the word ‘riparian’. In some of the earlier pages it’s used SO many times in the same paragraph/page, and while it is correct, it just stands out. ~ Michelle (via Goodreads)