Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill Opens to Public With Multi-Day Celebration

Sept. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- The Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill (DCAC) opened in style with a series of events from September 8-11, culminating in a free weekend that attracted thousands of visitors to the beautiful 205-acre natural preserve.  With the opening of DCAC, Dallas is now the only county in the country served by two Audubon centers.

Patty McGill, Ph.D, center director for DCAC, said, “So many people and organizations dedicated their time, talent and resources over the past decade to make Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill a reality.  We were thrilled to host many of them during our grand opening celebration, and look forward to introducing others to the ‘wild and special place’ that is a direct result of their efforts.  From the sustainably-built visitor center, to our unique educational programs and miles of trails, there is so much to enjoy in what is truly one of Texas’ most unique natural settings.”

The grand opening festivities began on Thursday, September 8, with a private party for hundreds of supporters and special guests.  Featuring the signature Painted Bunting cocktail, the festivities included a sneak peek of the center and welcome from Bob Benson, executive director for Audubon Texas.  

On Friday, September 9, DCAC was officially “opened” at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on the C.E. Doolin Visitor Center’s covered breezeway.  Backed by Dogwood trees planted to honor the Doolin family as lead donors, several members of the family cut the ribbon along with others who were key to the center’s establishment, including: Kim and David Hurt; National Audubon board member Mary McDermott Cook; Cedar Hill city councilman Cory Spillman; Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation Director Allison Thompson; Cedar Hill Community Development Corporation board member Robbie Slotter; Reba Collins, Audubon Dallas; Gary Cunningham of Cunningham Architects; and Dr. McGill.  After the ceremony, guests enjoyed refreshments and center tours.

Finally, on Saturday and Sunday, September 10 and 11, more than 3,000 people turned out to enjoy a free grand opening weekend at DCAC.  For two days, guests enjoyed guided trail hikes, live animal encounters, guest speakers, children’s activities, building tours and other festivities.

Capital Campaign Contributors
Many gifts and in-kind contributions of $10,000 and more were made to fund the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill.  These include:

$2,000,000 +
C. E. Doolin Family:
   Earl L & Barbara Doolin
   Charles W. & Rosemary Doolin
   Kaleta A. Doolin
   Mary Kathryn Doolin

$500,000 - $999,999
Anonymous
Cedar Hill
   Community Development Corporation
   Economic Development Corporation
Kimberly & David M. Hurt
The Ward Family Foundation/Cindy & Bill Ward

$250,000 - $499,999
The Communities Foundation of Texas
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

$100,000 - $249,999
Audubon Dallas
The Harry W. Bass Jr. Foundation
The Horizon Foundation
Margot W. & Ben Mitchell Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas
Deedie & Rusty Rose

$50,000 - $99,999
The Dallas Foundation
Joe M. & Doris R. Dealey Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Walter Elcock
Martha V. Leonard
James D. and Kay Y. Moran Foundation
George & Fay Young Foundation

$10,000 - $49,999
Naomi Aberly & Laurence Lebowitz
The Boeckman Family Foundation
Cecilia & Garrett Boone
Dr. and Mrs. Errol J. Candy
Clint Horticulture/Mr. Chip Clint
Trammell S. Crow
Mr. Craig Damuth
Robert and Michelle Diener Foundation
The Bradbury Dyer Foundation
Gayden Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew P. Halle
Lyda Hill Foundation
Larry Huddleston
Mr. Duff Hunt and the Super Seeders Garden Club
Mr. & Mrs. John Jaggers
Mr. and Mrs. Jay W. Lorch
Mr. and Mrs. H. Charles Price III
Mr. Robert T. Priddy
Mr. and Mrs. William Rose
Ms. Lydia B. Test
Bonnie & Cliff Thomson
Mr. and Mrs. Mike S. Wolfson

Grand Opening Sponsors
A number of local businesses, organizations and individuals also helped make possible the free grand opening weekend at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center with financial and in-kind donations:
   
Shin Oak Sponsors -- $5,000 - $9,999
Central Market
The Container Store

Texas Buckeye Sponsors -- $3,000 - $4,999
Dr. Nancy Evans
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
PepWear
Two Sisters Catering
Wild Birds Unlimited

Texas Persimmon Sponsors - $1,500 - $2,999
Ashleys Private School
Bluestem Nursery
Chick-Fil-A at Cedar Hill
David’s Seafood
Dick’s Uptown Café
Jessica’s Flowers & Gifts
Jay Lorch
Three Hoots Winery

Eve’s Necklace Sponsors - $500 - $1,499
Catherine & Jerry Hiersche
Caroline & Jim McKee
Linda & Chris Najork
Natural Encounters, Inc.
Pam & Mike Petty
Rental Stop
Uptown Village at Cedar Hill
Peggy Wilson

About The Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill:
Sustainably built for LEED certification, the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill is situated on 205 acres of Dogwood Canyon, which contains the widest variety of rare species in North Texas as plants and animals from east, west and central Texas converge there. Located 16 miles south of Downtown Dallas, the Center is a partnership between the City of Cedar Hill and the National Audubon Society. The Center’s physical address is 1206 W FM1382, Cedar Hill, 75104.  More information can be found by calling 469-526-1980 or by visiting www.dogwoodcanyonaudubon.org.