As water becomes scarce due to ongoing drought conditions with no end in sight, we are facing another problem. It is the loss of native plants, trees and habitats. Our native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, which support habitats for wildlife are destroyed by the constant and progressive building on land supporting our native Texas heritage. It is of utmost importance that we restore the native plant species serving as the primary elements needed for the ecosystem restoration due to excessive loss of habitat.
The importance of native plants is in the benefits they offer:
- Provide food sources of seeds, nuts, nectar & fruits for birds, bats, pollinating insects & butterflies
- Attracts insects for birds
- Provide habitats for birds, wildlife and larval host plants for butterflies
Additional benefits:
- Low Maintenance
- Tolerant of local diseases, pests and lack of water availability
- Protects the soil with long root systems
- Protects water quality by controlling soil erosion
- Minimizes the use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Cost effective
- Conserve valuable water
- unlikely to become invasive
- Low lawn maintenance with native buffalo grass
- Adds beauty to the landscape and preserves our natural heritage to share with our children and
their children.
Photo from Native Prairies website
The Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) is a nonprofit membership organization and an accredited land trust. Our mission is dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native prairies, savannas, and other grasslands in Texas.
We protect prairies through acquisition, partnerships, and conservation easements. NPAT has conserved more than 5,000 acres of native Texas prairie, including 1,340 acres of endangered tallgrass prairie. NPAT-owned properties include Maddin Prairie Preserve near Colorado City, Lawther-Deer Park Prairie in Deer Park, Talbot Brothers Preserve and Mary Talbot Prairie near New Boston, Riesel Prairie near Marlin, Paul Mathews Prairie near Greenville and the Dowell Ranch near Austin.
We restore native prairie on our own lands, work with our landowners to restore their lands, and promote restoration on other private and public lands to benefit the native plant communities, pollinators, grassland birds and other prairie wildlife of Texas. We share informational resources and advice on restoration. Maddin Prairie Preserve, conservation easements at Daphne Prairie near Mount Vernon and the Kirchoff Family Farm near Floresville host regular restoration and workshop activities.
We teach about the prairie and its value through our chapter efforts, workshops, presentations, field trips and many types of volunteer opportunities.
Photo from Native Prairies Website
CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROPERTIES (PRIVATELY OWNED)
To learn more about the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) https://texasprairie.org/
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