When: Saturday and Sunday, July 28th-29th
Where: Clay and Archer Counties, TX
Come see large amounts of native prairie in and around the Henrietta Prairie! See native grasses, native flowers and other native plants, and probably grassland birds, butterflies, and other native pollinators.
The Henrietta Prairie region is the western part of the Cross Timbers and Prairies (Clay and Archer Counties) in a transition zone between the tallgrass prairies of the region and the mixed-grass prairies of the Rolling Plains.
Jim Edison says "this area looks like the Flint Hills [of Kansas/Oklahoma] in terms of scale" of the amount of native prairie that still exists, so it should be an impressive prairie trip for fans of native prairies, grassland birds, and native plants!
Schedule:
Saturday 7/28 at 11am – Hirschi Prairie Field Trip
Tour Hirschi Prairie! Meet NPAT member John Hirschi, who restored his 200 acres to native prairie and will give us a tour of his great prairie restoration.
Directions: From Wichita Falls, take SH-79 south to FM 1954 (which is south of Lake Wichita). Go west on FM 1954 for 1.8 miles, then turn right onto Decker Lane. Follow Decker Lane north, then it will take a right angle turn to the west. Look for cars parked near the prairie. For Google Maps directions, click here then click "Get directions" and enter your starting address.
Saturday 7/28 at 2:30pm – Field Trip to Birdwell and Clark Ranch
Tour the Birdwell and Clark Ranch, an active ranch containing native prairie, with Debbie Clark. Utilizing cell grazing, their objective is native grassland health so that the cattle mostly take care of themselves.
Meet at the hotel parking lot at 2:30pm to car pool to the ranch: Best Western Inn and Suites, 816 US Hwy 287 S. Henrietta, TX. For Google Maps directions, click here then click "Get directions" and enter your starting address. Look for a car with an NPAT sign in the window.
Sunday 7/29 at 9am – NPAT Board Meeting
The NPAT board meeting will occur in the dining/breakfast area at the Best Western Inn and Suites, 816 US Hwy 287 S. Henrietta, TX. NPAT members welcome.
For Google Maps directions, click here then click "Get directions" and enter your starting address.
Sunday 7/29 at 1pm – Driving Tour and More of the Henrietta Prairie
Meet in parking lot at Best Western Inn and Suites, 816 US Hwy 287 S. Henrietta, Texas. For Google Maps directions, click here then click "Get directions" and enter your starting address. Look for a car with an NPAT sign in the window.
Directions and map will be handed out. More field trips/stops along the driving route may be arranged, and information will be provided at the hotel meeting place.
Hotel information (for those staying overnight):
Best Western Inn and Suites, 816 US Hwy 287 S. Henrietta, TX. Phone number is 940-538-6969. For Google Maps directions, click here then click "Get directions" and enter your starting address. If travelling on 287 north into Henrietta, take the Spur 510 exit and the hotel will be visible from the stop sign.
Rate: Usually $99/night but they are giving us a special rate of $79/night. Mention special rate for NPAT quoted by Barbara (manager) . 24 hour cancellation policy. Indoor swimming pool, fitness center. Continental Breakfast. Click here to go to the Hotel web site .
Please consider joining the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) and the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) to help advocate and protect Texas’ prairie heritage, native plants, and wildlife. Learn more about Texas tallgrass prairies at the NPSOT-NPAT 2007 Symposium, Oct 18-21st.
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