The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) was created in the early 1990’s when a consortium was founded to manage nearly 2,000 acres below Lewisville Dam. Today the LLELA consortium includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the University of North Texas, the City of Lewisville, the Lewisville Independent School District, the University of Texas at Arlington, and Texas A&M University. Our mission is to preserve and restore our native ecosystems and to provide and promote environmental education and scientific research. LLELA contains a variety of habitats, including prairies, bottomland hardwood forests, wetlands, and cross timbers forest. With such a diversity of habitats, there is a profusion of wildlife here. Mammals such as bobcats, white-tailed deer, and mink can be found, along with birds such as wild turkeys, painted buntings, and dozens of waterfowl species. LLELA is dotted with sloughs, wetlands, creeks, and dry channels, the landscape features originally wrought by the Elm Fork and its tributaries. These remain filled by rainwater and flooding, providing areas where one can find wood ducks and other waterfowl, as well as many turtles, wading birds, and amphibians. Check our web site for more detailed information about LLELA and for scheduled tour dates. Visitors to LLELA can enjoy:

• Hiking on over 6 miles of trails
• Camping and fishing along the beautiful Elm Fork of the Trinity River
• Exciting birding opportunities
• Canoeing and kayaking on the Beaver Pond Paddling Trail or on the Elm Fork
• Picnicking in our large covered pavilion
• Visiting the Minor-Porter Log Home (circa 1869)

Hours of operation and fees: LLELA is open to the public only Friday--Sunday, each week. Open hours are 7 am--5 pm from November 1 to March 1, and 7 am--7 pm from March 2 to October 31. Admission is $5 per person; children 5 years and under are free. Annual passes are available; inquire at the gatehouse. Group tours and field trips can be scheduled by calling the Education Coordinator at 972-219-3930.