Past News, Events, and Field Trips
Parker County Poor Farm Tour
June 8, 2007 - Friday 10am-1pm
See prairie on Grand Prairie limestone outcrops
The Poor Farm is owned by Parker County is in planning stages for development for some type of preserve, nature park or a natural area with minimal development. It is a 256 acre property, with good examples of Grand Prairie limestone outcrops (50-60 acres of Little Bluestem-Indiangrass prairie), Western Cross Timbers ecosystems, seasonal creeks, one small pond, old fields and orchards, and disturbed areas along roadways. There are also gas wells on the property for the county, which hopefully some of the revenue will go back to the Poor Farm project.
From Weatherford, at the corner of I-20 and FM 51, go west on the access road to Tin Top Road. Home Depot is on the right. Turn left onto Tin Top Road and go south approximately 1 mile to Leea Ln on the left. Leea Ln deadends at the gate to the Poor Farm. Meet at the gate at 10:00am.
For more information, contact Jeff Quayle, 817-729-0283, s-quaylei@earthlink.net. Also see the Poor Farm web site.
Wildflower Tour of Bear Creek Ranch
June 9, 2007 - Saturday 10am-1pm
See tallgrass prairie and other habitat in the Fort Worth Prairie
Owned by the Dixon Water Foundation, the 1700 acre Bear Creek Ranch supports deep soiled tallgrass prairie, limestone glades, and streamside forest. Come see this spectacular part of the Fort Worth Prairie.
The Nature Conservancy's Jim Eidson will talk about natural history, and Robby Tuggle, ranch manager, will talk about sustainable grazing.
Located at 2701 Bear Creak Rd., Aledo, TX 76008. Click here for directions.
For more information, contact the Nature Conservancy's Jim Eidson, 903-568-4139, jeidson@tnc.org. Also see the field trip flyer.
Texas Prairie Coalition Meeting
June 25, 2007 - Monday 1pm
First TPC Meeting
The Texas Prairie Coalition (TPC)
is a group of private and public organizations and individuals active
in native prairie conservation, restoration, and/or education in Texas.
Meeting in Lewisville, TX north of Dallas/Ft. Worth. RSVP to Jason Spangler.
Field Trip to Henrietta Range
July 14-15, 2007 - Saturday and Sunday
Field Trip and Board Meeting
Board meeting on the 14th.
NPAT will visit Henrietta Range near Wichita Falls on the 15th.
RSVP to Ms. Kunda Lee Wicce.
Texas Prairie Conference
October 18-21, 2007 - Thursday to Saturday
The Blackland and Grand Prairies and Grasslands of the Edwards Plateau
Joint symposium of NPAT and the Native Plant Society of Texas in Georgetown, Williamson County. Great prairie speakers, field trips, vendors, and more! See the symposium web page for more information.
Falls County Prairies Field Trip
April 12th (Sat.) at 9:30amMarlin (Falls County east of Waco)
Visit three tallgrass prairie conservation easements (Lehmann Prairie, Wieting Prairie, and Drews Prairie) held by NPAT and Riesel Prairie which is owned by NPAT.
Meet in Marlin at 9:30 AM at the Dairy Queen (1427 Live Oak St) which is on the east side of Marlin close to the northwest corner of the intersection of State Highways 6 and 7. Click here for directions from Google Maps.
RSVP appreciated but not required to kunda_lee_wicce@texasprairie.org . If you are coming and don't RSVP, consider keeping this number with you: 512-669-6532 (mobile).
Meador Prairie Field Trip
April 19th (Sat.) at 9amSaint Jo (Cooke/Montague County west of Fort Worth)
See one of the largest areas of tallgrass prairie remaining in Texas! Bill Meador's prairies, totaling over 1500 acres, in the Fort Worth Prairie/Grand Prairie are used as low-input native hay meadows. We hope to see early spring prairie flowers such as Prairie Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia), Wild Hyacinth, Nutall's Camas, and others, and early native grass growth. Come see Bill Meador's terrific prairies on this special trip!
We will meet at the Dairy Queen in Saint Jo (309 S Broad St) at 9am. Click here for directions from Google Maps. Wear appropriate clothing, and bring water, sunscreen, and a snack.
Fort Worth Prairie Fest (Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area)
April 26th (Sat.) at 11am-8pmFort Worth (Tandy Hills Natural Area)
From the Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area: An outdoor festival to celebrate our connection to the natural world through Music, Art, Dance, Environmental Stewardship & Wildflower Tours. Free and Open to the Public!
Learn about Tandy Hills Natural Area & Prairie Preservation - one of the best places in D/FW to see prairie wildflowers! Entertainment (including live music), guest speakers, food and beverages, exhibitors, and more!
Go to the Fort Worth Prairie Fest web page for more information.
Simpson Prairie Field Trip
May 3rd (Sat.) at 9:30amCrawford (McLennan County, south of Waco)
Come see spring prairie flowers at Simpson Prairie, a terrific prairie remnant in the Grand Prairie near Crawford/Valley Mills protected by owner Mike Williams and NPAT! Mike harvests seed from Simpson Prairie and uses the seed when planting Laura Bush's prairie restoration on the Bush ranch.
We will meet at 9:30am at the bank parking lot in the northeast corner of the intersection (317 and 185) in Crawford. Click here for directions from Google Maps.
RSVP appreciated but not required. Contact Jason Spangler at jason_spangler@texasprairie.org or 512-736-4199 for more information. Wear appropriate clothing, and bring water, sunscreen, and a snack.
Maddin Prairie Preserve Breeding Bird Survey
May 10th-11th (Sat.-Sun.)Colorado City (Mitchell County, west of Abilene)
See original and restored, mixed-grass prairie, grassland birds, Texas horned-lizards, a prairie dog reintroduction, and butterflies/insects while helping with surveys at Maddin Prairie Preserve!
Contact kirsti_harms@texasprairie.org and/or pat_merkord@texasprairie.org. for more information and to RSVP.
Bear Creek Ranch Field Trip (DWF/TNC)
May 10th (Sat.), 10am - 1pmAledo (west of Ft Worth)
Sponsored by the Dixon Water Foundation and The Nature Conservancy
Join The Nature Conservancy's Jim Eidson on a tour of a working ranch which supports a spectacular part of the Ft. Worth Prairie. Owned by the Dixon Water Foundation, the 1700-acre Bear Creek Ranch supports limestone glades, deep soiled tallgrass prairie, and streamside forest. Rare and beautiful wildflowers are expected!
Physical address: 2701 Beak Creek Rd., Aledo, TX 76008. Click here to see the field trip flyer for a map and futher information.
For further information, contact: Jim Eidson, 903-568-4139