From the story, "On a Holland ranch, vestiges of a sea of grass," in the Temple Daily Telegram: In about 1859, an awestruck New York journalist got his first look at the prairie grass that once blanketed much of Central Texas. “We came out suddenly, as if a curtain had risen, upon a broad prairie,…
Todd Would Save Wallace Prairie With His Big Give
In today’s Dallas Morning News Community Opinion section article, "Your very own big give," Todd White wish he had the money to protect Wallace Prairie, the well known prairie remnant in Rockwall County. "If I had a spare $10 million, I would buy the Rockwall County land known as the Wallace Prairie (if they’d sell…
ESA Advocates Prairie Ecosystem Services for Biofuel
The Ecological Society of America (ESA) released a policy statement that advocates we consider the ecosystem services and ecological sustainability of biofuel sources, and highlights native prairie and native plants as an example: "CONSERVATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES. A focus on ecosystem services will provide the foundation necessary for win-win scenarios. It is easy to design…
NPAT Hiring Executive Director for Texas Prairie Conservation!
NPAT is hiring an Executive Director! Native Prairies Association of Texas (TX), Executive Director – NPAT seeks a full time Executive Director with a passion for conservation to lead the organization in its mission to conserve and restore the native prairies and other grasslands of Texas. NPAT is a land trust protecting over 1,200 acres…
SF Chronicle: Into the Bluestem Sea
The San Francisco Chronicle recently ran a great article about tallgrass prairie, prairie conservation, and the Flint Hills of Oklahoma and Kansas: "I could have been in Africa. Before me the tawny savanna stretched unimpeded to a horizon where it met a vast ceiling of blue. The soft folds of land were stippled with grazing…
I’m back!
I’m back! Sorry for the month that I did not post: I transferred to a new position at work, and in addition I have been busy with NPAT work regarding grants and getting ready to hire an executive director!
Clymer Meadow Grows By 57 Acres
Clymer Meadow, the largest protected tallgrass prairie in Texas’ Blackland Prairie, grew by 57 acres due to a donation from a generous landowner to The Nature Conservancy during 2007. See a slideshow of native prairie flowers and grasses at Clymer Meadow in NPAT’s photo album. From The Nature Conservancy: Highlights of The Nature Conservancy’s Texas…
First Lady and President Tour Prairie Restoration with NPAT Member
First Lady Laura Bush, President Bush, and Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) member Mike Williams recently toured the tallgrass prairie restoration at the first couple’s Prairie Chapel Ranch with reporter Bret Baier. Mike Williams is the restoration project leader and owner of NPAT-protected Simpson Prairie. View the video of the tour at the Fox…
Blackland Prairie Meadows and Herbicide
The March 30, 2007 issue of "Rangeland Ecology and Management" contains an interesting article, "Blackland tallgrass prairie vegetation dynamics following cessation of herbicide application", applicable to native prairie hay meadows. K.R. Hickman, and J.D. Derner of the USDA ARS found that removing herbicide applications of Blackland Prairie remnants after 25 years of application led to…
Texas Prairie Journal – New Issue!
A new issue of the Texas Prairie Journal (formerly the Prairie Dog), the newsletter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT), has been released! All NPAT members should be receiving their issue in the mail very soon. Featured articles in this issue include:– Saving Texas Prairies– NPAT Receives Tallgrass Prairie Grants– Tandy Hills: Prairies…