The benefits of going native across texas

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.

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/