Native Prairies Association of Texas offers a bus tour on Saturday, June 3, 2017, of prairies of central Texas starting from Dallas and touring prairies near Temple, Austin, and Crawford. Participants of last year’s tour had a great time.
Although it said registration deadline is May 10, I received a copy of the email this week. When I clicked the registration link, I got through. Best to contact Leigh Ann Ellis, 214.321.7159, if you are interested.
2nd Annual Texas Prairies Tour
Blackland Chapter, Native Prairies Association of Texas
2nd Annual Texas Prairies Tour
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake
521 E Lawther Dr. (access via Northcliff and N. Buckner)Click here to register for this event. See itinerary below
Our Northeast Texas prairies tour was so fun last year, we’re doing it again, but this time we’re heading to Central Texas.
Enjoy short excursions in beautiful grasslands, most of which are not generally open to the public. A chance to stand in awe in a native prairie as it was before westward expansion. We’ll also learn about native prairie restoration and management. Become inspired on how to keep native prairies thriving for generations to come.
We’ll zip south to near Temple, which is halfway between Waco and Austin. After lunch in Salado, we’ll drive further south to near Taylor (west of Round Rock). Heading back north, we’ll go to Marlin (SE of Waco), where we’ll visit a series of small Blackland Prairies. Then we’ll travel west of Waco to tour an example of a Grand Prairie. Heading north to home, we’ll stop in West for dinner.
Itinerary
7:00am — Bus leaves from parking lot at Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX 75218.
Prairie Guide: Mickey Burleson, Owner of Burleson Prairie Native prairie restored by Mickey and her late husband, Bob Burleson. They spent decades recording prairie data, restoring hundreds of acres of native prairie, and focusing on state wide conservation efforts.
Lunch in Salado with Dolly Kunz Wilson; included in tour fee.
Prairie Guide: Pat Merkord, Executive Director, NPAT Pat will explain restoration procedures taken on this native tallgrass prairie site, planted in 1994 in a cooperative effort between NPAT, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Prairie Guide: Pat Merkord, Executive Director, NPAT These two small prairies are about 10 miles apart and are excellent examples of the native tallgrasses that were prevalent in Central Texas area prior to European settlement. The Lehmann Prairie is an 11-acre remnant prairie protected by a conservation easement. The Riesel Prairie is a 5-acre remnant prairie owned by NPAT.
Prairie Guides: Marliss and Mike Williams Remnant of the Grand Prairie (Lampasas Cut Plains of the Cross Timbers and Prairies) on a gently sloping hillside. Mike remembered seeing some native prairie before the area became overgrazed, located and identified it, and restored it with his wife Marliss. Protected by NPAT conservation easement.
Dinner in West; on your own dime
• Picha’s Czech-American Restaurant
• Two Amigos Mexican Restaurant
• West Station Roadhouse Restaurant
10:30pm — Bus returns parking lot at Bath House Cultural Center
In case of harsh weather for June 3, the tour will be rescheduled.
Wear loose hiking clothes and sturdy shoes for prairie walking. Bring a hat, bug repellant, and sunscreen. Road snacks/beverages and books/etc to pass the time while traveling, plus back-up power for your phone, are good ideas.
Deadline for payment is May 10:
Cost for NPAT Members — $75.00
Cost for non-NPAT Members — $85.00
Notes on the prairie stops and a map will be provided.
HNPAT DONATIONS NEEDED! Donations are needed to help give an honorarium to the great speakers for the monthly meetings. Please consider contributing a few dollars to help. Send checks to: NPAT – Houston Chapter Native Read more…
Strange and unusual prairie denizens plus legends and lore of Texas Prairies! Wednesday, October 25, 6:45pm-8:00pm, Red Cross Building, 2700 Southwest Freeway Come hear about the more strange, unusual, and perhaps creepy animals of NPAT’s prairies as Read more…
Kirsti Harms, Native Prairies Association of Texas Executive Director, has decided to retire and spend less time in the office and more time on the prairie.
Our Northeast Texas prairies tour was so fun last year, we’re doing it again, but this time we’re heading to Central Texas.
We’ll zip south to near Temple, which is halfway between Waco and Austin. After lunch in Salado, we’ll drive further south to near Taylor (west of Round Rock). Heading back north, we’ll go to Marlin (SE of Waco), where we’ll visit a series of small Blackland Prairies. Then we’ll travel west of Waco to tour an example of a Grand Prairie. Heading north to home, we’ll stop in West for dinner.
