Nature FestNaturefest

Nature Fest

Each spring, Concordia University Texas hosts NatureFest, a week-long event dedicated to learning about and celebrating the unique natural setting of the University.

NatureFest features tours of the nature preserve, live animal demonstrations, and more! Bring your family to enjoy Concordia's beautiful campus and preserve, and get to know the Office of Environmental Stewardship, who will guide tours of the preserve and Tornado Trail.

Most importantly, we encourage you to get outside for classes, meetings, prayer, and leisure throughout the year.

Nature Fest Calendar

Threatened Texas Art Walk

Loss of our world’s biodiversity is happening at a startling fast rate. For most of us, it’s hard to understand what we can still save when we have had few to no first-hand interactions with our world’s listed species. After all, our most threatened species are also our rarest.

During Nature Fest, Artist and Educator, Juliet Whitsett will install part of her Biodiversity of Texas series along the covered walkway between buildings E & F. - This QR interactive exhibit centers on the colors, lives and forms of some of Texas’ rarest and most at risk, and even features species Concordia is actively preserving!  - Display will be up all week!

Nature Fest Schedule & Locations

Follow CTX Environmental Stewardship on social media channels for information or visit the University Calendar for more information. #CTXNatureFest

Don't miss out on some exciting Nature Fest Events

All Things Wild Education Program

Outdoor Chapel/ Pack the House

Raptor Demonstration by Sky Kings Falconry

Friesenhahn Cave Tour & Stewardship Day

Raptor showcase in Luther Park
Tornado Trail
Birding at Nature Fest
Bird of prey at flight
A bird in a tree.
Group watching the Raptor presentation.
A group of students that enjoyed Nature Fest

#CTXNatureFest

Upcoming Events

Apr 08
Planting Poetry - Hosted by Writing Club 10:00 AM - 2 :00 PM

Join the Writing Club as they host Planting Poetry. You will have the opportunity to write poems or nature-inspired thoughts on seed paper that grows into wildflowers when planted. There will be a...

Apr 08
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing 1:00 PM - 2 :00 PM

Join us for a rare celestial spectacle! Experience the magic of a Total Solar Eclipse from our prime viewing spot: the upper deck between Cedel Hall (Building C) and Martens Hall (Building D). Eclipse...

Apr 09
Campus Birding 9:15 AM - 10 :30 AM

75 minute bird watching tours around campus, Tornado Trail & more, with Carol & Carl Trovall. Meet at the Pier. Binoculars will be provided.

Apr 09
Short Loop Preserve Tours 9:30 AM - 10 :20 AM

50-minute guided tour of the Concordia Preserve via the Long Loop. Meet in Building B / Student Center. Come experience & learn about the beautiful CTX preserve with the OES team.

Apr 09
Stewardship Service Opportunity – Campus Cleanup 10:00 AM - 11 :00 AM

Let’s serve together to keep CTX beautiful!  Join our campus cleanup efforts this week.  To get involved, stop by the tables between Cedel Hall (Building C) and Martens Hall (Building D)...

Apr 09
Tornado Trail Picnic 12:00 PM - 1 :30 PM

Come experience Tornado Trail & the wildlife observation blind. Visit with Zach Stark & the CTX Ranger team for outdoor snacks and fellowship. Meet at the Tornado Trailhead, adjacent to Alumni...

Apr 09
Long Loop Preserve Tours 2:00 PM - 3 :30 PM

90-minute guided tour of the Concordia Preserve via the Long Loop. Meet in Building B / Student Center. Come experience & learn about the beautiful CTX preserve with the OES team.

Apr 10
Short Loop Preserve Tours 9:00 AM - 9 :50 AM

50-minute guided tour of the Concordia Preserve via the Long Loop. Meet in Building B / Student Center. Come experience & learn about the beautiful CTX preserve with the OES team.

Apr 10
Campus Birding 9:00 AM - 9 :55 AM

55 minute bird watching tours around campus, Tornado Trail & more, with Carol & Carl Trovall. Meet at the Pier. Binoculars will be provided.

Apr 10
Outdoor Chapel 10:00 AM - 10 :30 AM

Join us for #packthehouse Wednesday chapel at the Pier on Wednesday, April 10 at 10am. We will be praising God outside through songs, readings, prayers and a short devotional time in God's Word. Let's...

Apr 10
#Packthehouse: “Zero Waste Edition” 10:30 AM - 11 :00 AM

Join Zach Stark, Director of Environmental Stewardship, for #packthehouse after chapel. We will highlight a “Zero Waste” experience that we hope will serve as an example for minimizing our environmental...

Apr 10
Raptor Demonstration by Sky Kings Falconry 12:00 PM - 1 :30 PM

View hawks, owls, falcons, vultures, and other raptors in a free flight program that will leave you thrilled and amazed.  Sky Kings will discuss the natural history of these incredible birds along...

Apr 10
Stewardship Service Opportunity – Campus Cleanup 2:00 PM - 3 :00 PM

Let’s serve together to keep CTX beautiful!  Join our campus cleanup efforts this week.  To get involved, stop by the tables between Cedel Hall (Building C) and Martens Hall (Building D) during...

Apr 10
Long Loop Preserve Tours 3:00 PM - 4 :30 PM

90-minute guided tour of the Concordia Preserve via the Long Loop. Meet in Building B / Student Center. Come experience & learn about the beautiful CTX preserve with the OES team.

Apr 11
Campus Birding 9:15 AM - 10 :30 AM

75 minute bird watching tours around campus, Tornado Trail & more, with Carol & Carl Trovall. Meet at the Pier. Binoculars will be provided.

Apr 11
Short Loop Preserve Tour – “Sound Walk Edition” 9:30 AM - 10 :20 AM

Join us for a guided soundwalk on the Concordia Preserve Short Loop to get to know the unique sounds of the Preserve! Soundwalks are silent walks at a relaxed pace with the goal of consciously listening...

Apr 11
Long Loop Preserve Tours 2:00 PM - 3 :30 PM

90-minute guided tour of the Concordia Preserve via the Long Loop. Meet in Building B / Student Center. Come experience & learn about the beautiful CTX preserve with the OES team.

Apr 12
Campus Birding 9:00 AM - 9 :55 AM

55 minute bird watching tours around campus, Tornado Trail & more, with Carol & Carl Trovall. Meet at the Pier. Binoculars will be provided.

Apr 12
Short Loop Preserve Tours 9:00 AM - 9 :50 AM

50-minute guided tour of the Concordia Preserve via the Long Loop. Meet in Building B / Student Center. Come experience & learn about the beautiful CTX preserve with the OES team.

Apr 12
Friesenhahn Cave Fossil Display 10:30 AM - 11 :30 AM

Come visit with members of the Friesenhahn Cave team! See rare fossils from CTX’s very own Friesenhahn Cave. Under the covered walkway between Cedel Hall (Building C) and Martens Hall (Building D).

 

 

Tornado Trail Map

Contact

For more information, contact:

Zach Stark,
zach.stark@concordia.edu

Sam Whitehead,
sam.whitehead@concordia.edu