In late February, the Educational First Steps Gala at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas made headlines with a record-breaking fundraising achievement, raising $1 million to support early childhood education initiatives. The event attracted a host of notable guests, including Hillwood Founder Ross Perot Jr., Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd, and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Mae Parker, all united in their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for children.
The gala was highlighted by a captivating discussion between former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, moderated by Ken Hersh, president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. This conversation underscored the significance of early learning, a theme echoed by Dominique McCain, EFS President and CEO, who expressed gratitude for the support received. “We are incredibly grateful to our gala chairs, sponsors, and generous supporters who believe in the power of early learning,” McCain stated. “The extraordinary conversation with President and Mrs. Bush truly underscored why this work is so important—ensuring every child, regardless of ZIP code, has access to quality early education.”
The event was co-chaired by Kim Korenvaes Stein, an investor relations specialist with Financial Services Capital, and fashion influencer Rochelle Gores. Honorary chairs included former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, both of whom have long been advocates for education in Texas. The gala's success was further bolstered by partnerships with sponsors, notably PNC Bank, which has been a key player in supporting educational initiatives through its Grow Up Great program since 2004. PNC Regional President Brendan McGuire emphasized the bank's commitment, stating, “We invest in programs, resources, and experiences that establish a strong foundation for children in North Texas. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, ultimately contributing to a stronger community.”
Other sponsors included The Rochelle Gores Family, Hedgeserv Corp., and The Addy Foundation. The event also honored The Addy Foundation and The Sid W. Richardson Foundation with the Early Childhood Champion Awards for their contributions to early childhood education.
As spring unfolds, residents of North Texas are also turning their attention to outdoor activities, including gardening. A recent exploration of the Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park, located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, revealed a hidden gem in urban Dallas. This park, part of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, features a native Texas garden designed to replicate the Blackland Prairie, an ecoregion that has dwindled to less than 1% of its original expanse.
On March 14, 2025, Morning Edition host Andrew Garcia and a team visited the park, guided by Robert Favela, who manages the park and is a Texas Master Naturalist. Favela explained the significance of the park’s design, stating, “Believe it or not, we're down to less than 1% of the Blackland Prairie, and we have a little bit of it here. This was an urban area that had homes here. It was student housing until the Bush Center came here. We’ve got 23 acres here on the SMU campus, and 15 of it we converted into a native Texas habitat that we used to have hundreds of years ago in this area.”
During the tour, Favela highlighted the park's preparation for the upcoming wildflower season. Although the meadow appeared bare during the visit, he assured visitors that vibrant wildflowers were on the horizon. “In these two areas here, we've created a little bit of a wildflower mix we’re used to seeing in the Blackland Prairies,” he noted, pointing out that the green areas would soon burst into color.
Among the wildflowers expected to bloom are the scrambled egg flower, Indian blanket, primrose, winecup, and mealy blue sage. Favela shared an exciting observation, bending down to reveal the budding scrambled egg flower, stating, “See the yellow? It looks like a scrambled egg.”
The park not only serves as a beautiful display of native flora but also engages the community through various events. In the fall, children can participate in seeding future crops of wildflowers, while an annual monarch butterfly migration event allows Master Naturalists to educate visitors about butterfly identification and migration patterns.
Favela noted that wildlife has gradually returned to the park since its opening a dozen years ago, with sightings of foxes, bobcats, and coyotes becoming more common. This resurgence of wildlife adds another layer of richness to the park's ecosystem.
As the tour concluded, Favela offered gardening tips for those interested in creating their own native Texas gardens. His advice included being patient, avoiding overwatering, and letting nature take its course by simply dropping seeds to see what grows. “That's my favorite part of being a naturalist,” he remarked, “just being patient with the natural environment taking care of the seeds.”
The Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park is open for tours every Saturday through May 31, 2025, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the beauty of native Texas flora and learn about the importance of preserving these ecosystems.
As North Texas embraces both educational initiatives and the beauty of nature, the community continues to demonstrate a commitment to nurturing future generations and preserving the environment.
