Urban Biologist

The City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department is a steward of its resources and is committed to maintaining an accurate inventory of its natural assets. Urban Biologist Brett Johnson is responsible for leading a natural resource management plan for the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.

Some key components of that plan include: implementing a feral hog trapping program to reduce feral hog damage on parks properties, get a restoration program in place for the unique blackland prairie remnants at White Rock Lake, conducting an inventory of natural resource assets within Dallas Parks properties, and increasing pollinator conservation areas around the city.

Invite our Urban Biologist to speak at your next community event or workshop. Please complete to submit a request: Speakers Request Form

Bald Eagles at White Rock Lake

Please keep your distance from Bald Eagles in the area. Normal park activities/sports are still allowed, since existing uses are less likely to disturb the birds. However, birdwatchers, nature photographers, and anyone else viewing the birds, should stay a minimum of 300 feet away from nests. If they happen to fly closer to you, enjoy the experience and try to avoid frightening them. Thank you.

Read this article from DMagazine and get a better understanding of where they are located and how to bird watch responsibly.

DMagazine Bald Eagle Article

UPDATE 2/16/22

Dallas Park and Recreation has confirmed that the nest of the bald eagles roosting at White Rock Lake was blown away by a wind gust around 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 15. The park department urban biologist and biologists and officials from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were able to locate the damaged nest which contained at least one broken egg. Because the nest and its contents are protected by federal laws -- including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act) --, the Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden took possession of the nest. Despite having lost their nest, the eagles appear to be uninjured and remain in the vicinity of the nesting location and can be seen perched in the tree. Dallas Park and Recreation will continue to observe and monitor the eagles over the next weeks.

Adopt a Prairie Program

The Adopt-A-Prairie Program gives volunteer groups the opportunity to engage in the restoration and maintenance of the Blackland Prairie remnants found in Dallas parks. Fourteen prairie remnants totaling more than 162 acres have been identified, of which seven prairie parcels have been adopted by various groups. The prairie remnants were assessed based on their biological diversity, abundance of invasive species and overall management challenges. Learn how you or your organization can adopt a prairie by submitting an Adopt a Prairie Form.