Book

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

by Amy Martin

“There’s no real nature in North Texas.” Oh really? Hardwood bottomland forests. Well-preserved swaths of the “cast iron forest” of Eastern Cross Timbers. Soaring limestone escarpments and quizzical cuestas. Vast wetlands and swamps. Rich riparian corridors along rivers and large creeks. Rare remnants of wildflower-filled Blackland and Fort Worth Prairies. Three immense preserves from 2600 to 3600 acres, plus the 6000-acre Great Trinity Forest. Two large lake-based state parks. A huge national wildlife refuge for water-loving birds. North Central Texas has all this and more. 

Travel down the many forks of the Trinity River—Clear, East, Elm, and West—and their reservoirs to discover the watery roadmap that shapes our terrain and is home to a 127-mile-long nationally recognized paddling trail. North Central Texas is an ecotone that transitions the eastern deciduous forest into the western plains. Its astounding ecological diversity arises from many tilted bedrock layers ranging from 75 to 350 million years old, the multitude of soil types which that generates, and the wide-ranging flora those foster. The river ties it all together. 

Wild DFW’s front section on natural history and ecology also covers:

• The wild ways of nature after dark.
• Geology forged by an ancient inland sea.
• Invasive species that threaten the region’s ecology.
• How to turn your backyard into a nature sanctuary.
• Epic migrations of birds and insects through the area.
• Native wildlife and the native flora that sustains them.
• The citizen scientists who are surveying nature for further study.
• Weather accentuated by tornadoes, ice storms, drought, and floods.
• Urban creeks that provide an entry to nature for many, especially children. 

Wild DFW includes a field guide detailing over 120 species of interesting animals, insects, and plants, with fascinating facts and tidbits for regaling your friends. These flora and fauna populate the astounding adventures section covering 25 of North Texas’s finest nature parks and preserves. Read about the author’s hikes through these spaces, led by volunteers and managers who know the land the best and share their inspiring stories. Gain insight into North Texas as never before while enjoying practical tips and complete information for exploring these outdoor treasures. 

Media Coverage

D Magazine: 5 Adventures Into the Dallas Wilderness

Fox4 GoodDay: Good Day crew visits Great Trinity Forest

CBS Texas news: Fall foliage at its peak in Texas, enjoy it!

KERA news: Wild about DFW: North Texas nature guide tells us what to see and why it’s here

Shoutout DFW: Meet Amy Martin | author & journalist, community rabblerouser, nature nut

Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate: Unpacking the geological components of our lake

Dallas Doing Good: Q&A with Amy Martin: The eco-do-gooders of Wild DFW

Denton Record-Chronicle: Book Talk: Something for everyone in this batch of delightful books for gift-giving

GreenSourceDFW: Buy ‘Wild DFW’ on local site to benefit Green Source DFW

GreenSourceDFW: ‘Wild DFW’ events to kick off starting next month

Dallas Doing Good: Q&A with Amy Martin: The eco-do-gooders of Wild DFW

Lake Highlands Advocate: East Dallas resident to publish DFW adventure and ecology guide

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Independence and community: How the Fort Worth Prairie reflects the city

Oak Cliff Advocate: Whose Books hosting ‘Wild DFW’ author talk about N TX outdoors, Oak Cliff nature

Dallas Observer: 10 Awesome Upcoming Events For Book Lovers

Natural Awakenings: North Texas Nature Up Close

Southlake Style: Southlake Featured In DFW Nature Book

Dallas Express: Dallas resident pushes for more trails

Fort Worth Report: Monkey & Dog Books to host book signing July 19 with author of Wild DFW

Lewisville Leader: Nature author launches book on DFW wildlife, urges tourism

Garland Texan: Amy Martin book features Spring Creek Preserve

Fort Worth Magazine: Experience the Wild Side of Dallas-Fort Worth | #FortWorthReads

Dallas Observer: Wild DFW: Ned Fritz Day Walk at Ned & Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail (scroll to Oct. 8)

Lewisville Leader: This author is an advocate for natural spaces in the North Texas area

Denton Record-Chronicle & KERA: Can Denton County become a nature tourism hot spot? Some think so

Waxahachie 360: Dallas nature author Amy Martin will show you how to become a writer

Local Profile: Wild DFW excerpt: Shores of an Ancient Ocean (scroll to page 76)

Networking Coverage

Blackland Prairie Texas Master Naturalists: Author praises our Blackland Prairie Chapter Contribution

Trinity Forks Native Plant Society: “Wild DFW and the North Texas Ecotone”  in September

TBG Partners: Wild DFW featuring Mikel Wilkins

Cross Timbers Texas Master Naturalists: Amy Martin to speak in September (page 7)

Botanical Research Institute of Texas: October Lunchtime Lecture: Wild DFW

Denton County Master Gardeners: Wild DFW and the North Texas Ecotone

First Unitarian of Dallas: short video review of book talk

Native Prairies Association of Texas: Our Prairie People–Amy Martin

North Texas Trails: Wild DFW Book Review

Videos of Talks

Allen Public Library: How the Trinity River Escaped its Fate as a Barge Canal

Botanical Research Institute of Texas: A Deep Dive into the North Texas Ecotone & its Natural Wonders

First Unitarian Church of Dallas, promotional video 

Fort Worth Public Library Author Series: Never See North Texas Nature the Same Way Again

Friends of LLELA’s Denton County: North Texas Nature Hotspot (nature tourism panel)

Master Naturalists Present: The Nature of the Moon 

Native Plant Society of Texas, Dallas chapter: Never See North Texas Nature the Same Way Again

Native Plant Society of Texas, North Central Chapter: Never Seen North Texas Nature the Same Way Again

Texas Master Naturalists, Blackland Prairie chapter: A Deep Dive into the North Texas Ecotone & its Natural Wonders