Summary
Organization name
Friends of LLELA
Causes
Environment & Conservation, Education - STEM
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Denton
BIPOC Leadership
Board Chair
Address
500 E. Jones St.Lewisville, TX 75057
LLELA is visited by over 30,000 people annually. The property also hosts upwards of 10,000 students each year from across the region.
What does Friends of LLELA do?
- Helps operate an onsite 15,000 sq. ft. native plant nursery. In 2019, 10,000 plants were grown and planted throughout the 2,600 acre property.
- Operates the LLELA Visitor Center.
- Assists in the maintenance of eight miles of trails and are actively working to open two new trails to the public in the next few years.
- Aids in the maintenance of and the hosting of programs at a restored 1850s log house complex.
- Purchases supplies for short term research projects as well as long term scientific activities on site. This includes support for the only migratory bird banding station available to college students in North Texas as well as the operation of one of the few inland MOTUS tracking towers used to detect radio transmitters attached to both resident and migratory birds.
- Purchases supplies for onsite educational and recreational activities.
- Hosts an annual seminar that highlights the use of native plants in landscaping.
- Hosts a bi-monthly lecture series with local experts, researchers and enthusiasts on various environmental topics.
- Sponsors special events like an annual BioBlitz and specialty trail hikes.
- Supports wildlife projects like the bobwhite quail reintroduction program and the box turtle program.
Mission
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is located in the heart of North Texas just below Lewisville Lake. A hidden gem of nature just waiting to be discovered!
The land belongs to the USACE and is leased and managed by the University of North Texas, the City of Lewisville, and the Lewisville ISD.
LLELA's Vision and Mission
To heal the land and restore the bond between people and nature, ensuring the preservation of our natural heritage for the future.
To preserve and restore native Texas ecosystems and biodiversity while providing opportunities for environmental education, research, and recreation.
The Friends of LLELA assists LLELA's partner organizations in fulfilling our mission and making our vision a reality.
Needs
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who generously contributed last year. Thanks to your invaluable support, we were able to rebuild our greenhouse, a critical step towards achieving our growth and planting goals. Your compassion and generosity have reinvigorated our efforts after facing setbacks in the past years.
This year, we are embarking on an exciting journey at Friends of LLELA, dedicated to elevating the ecological stewardship of the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area to new heights. To propel effective restoration science and practices across our expansive 2,600-acre landscape, we are initiating the acquisition of a cutting-edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). By conducting regular data collection flyovers of LLELA, these acquired data will contribute to the establishment of an enduring record, chronicling the evolving habitat dynamics. This invaluable resource will empower our management team to meticulously strategize and track restoration activities, wildlife preservation efforts, and vigilantly monitor potential issues such as the encroachment of invasive vegetation.
Importantly, the acquisition of this advanced equipment heralds the inception of a multi-disciplinary UAV program tailored to prepare University of North Texas (UNT) students for successful careers post-graduation. Similar to the transformative impact of our past radio telemetry equipment, which facilitated field research and graduate degrees, this UAV initiative is poised to shape the next generation of ecological leaders. Your support will empower these students to seamlessly transition into the workforce with practical skills and hands-on experience.
The legacy of our radio telemetry projects continues to unfold. From fostering student growth in the realm of field research to unveiling insights into painted bunting life histories, your contributions have cultivated a lasting impact. Building upon this success, we are confident that our drone program will unleash a myriad of opportunities for UNT students, while exponentially enhancing research efforts at LLELA.
Our planning, guided by consultations with UNT faculty and comprehensive drone technology assessments, has led us to the selection of a DJI Mavic 3 series UAV, accompanied by essential support equipment and software.
With an estimated cost of five to six thousand dollars, we have set a fundraising goal of $6,500 for 2023. Your partnership will directly fuel this transformative endeavor, enabling us to unlock the full potential of our UAV program and sustain our ongoing initiatives at LLELA.
As always, any additional donations will contribute towards a tapestry of impactful projects, including prairie restoration, box turtle reintroduction, painted bunting research, the establishment of bird blinds, wildlife monitoring initiatives, essential equipment procurement, and various other ongoing undertakings at LLELA.
The Friends of LLELA proudly operates as a 501c3 non-profit corporation, committed to fostering the preservation and sustainable management of the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. Your support carries the promise of a brighter, more ecologically conscious future.
Thank You!!!
Equity Statement
Media gallery
Organization Data
Lewisville, TX 75057