The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is a 2,600 acre urban wilderness initiative strategically managed in a partnership by the City of Lewisville, the University of North Texas, and the Lewisville Independent School District, located in a centralized greenspace at the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. UNT staff, faculty, students, and community volunteers all contribute to the operations of the LLELA facility, which is open to the public seven days a week. The area is home to UNT's Bird Banding Station, established in 2006 and managed by Dr. Ken Steigman, College of Science research scientist and Director of LLELA. The station is essential for education initiatives and in helping UNT students and researchers document species abundance and diversity from year to year.

Birds are critical members of their ecosystems, and ornithology provides important information to scientists and wildlife managers about changes within the environment, such as the effects of global habitat fragmentation and destruction. Bird banding at LLELA helps researchers collect information on bird migration and dispersal, habitat preferences, behavior, life spans and population sizes, survival and productivity, and even disease and toxicology. On a local level, the data is used to evaluate the degree of habitat use by different bird species, giving valuable clues as to the effectiveness of the restoration and wilderness management strategies at LLELA. The bird banding station is also an excellent resource for ecological education. Dr. Bednarz, UNT senior lecturer and professor of behavioral ecology, conservation biology, and avian ecology can often be found giving hands-on lessons to undergraduate and graduate students at the station (pictured).

You can view the updated bird checklist for a full review of the species who call LLELA home.

How Does It Work?

A thin mist net is hung in the trees and checked every twenty minutes to ensure no bird is trapped for long. Once disentangled, each bird is gently moved to the work station to be measured and banded. Other technical information is noted relating to plumage, coloring, age, weight, and gender. As quickly as possible, the bird is released.

The data from UNT's Bird Banding Station at LLELA is submitted annually to U.S. Geological Service Bird Banding Laboratory, contributing to an international, long-term data set that informs scientists on environmental changes in the area and the effects on the local bird population.

Get Involved

Birders of all skill levels (ages 10+) are invited to join our experts to explore birding locations at LLELA, check the activities calendar for upcoming bird walk dates or contact tchapman@cityoflewisville.com for more information.

To help LLELA continue to protect and document bird species and mange other important restoration and research, consider becoming a Friend of LLELA or contacting Meghan Dours to discuss how a major gift could help preserve this area for generations to come.