Introducing Restoration

While saving native prairie remnants is one of our main goals, there also is a strong need and interest in the restoration or replication of prairies and native grasslands. We believe that prairies do matter. (Read more.) We also know that this is a disappearing landscape, so the next best thing is: create a prairie. These serve an equally important role in the ecosystem, even if they may not be as rich as the originals.

There are many ways to create prairies, it really depends on the overall project goals, location, size, soils, environment, and of course, budget. The goal of this page is to provide a collection stories and experiences with restoration—from pocket prairies to large landscapes. These can vary, and we’d like to share them. 

Appropriately, we begin with an article on prairie restoration from Bob and Mickey Burleson. They were founding members of NPAT and created one of Texas’ early prairie restorations and then wrote about it. At NPAT, we consider Burleson Prairie near Temple one of the Legacy prairies. Read more about this project.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a section on recreating a prairie. Read more…

Pocket Prairies: Small is okay too. Many of our members and chapters are active in urban areas where there is an interest in small-scale, pocket prairies. These provide a very important ecological niche in what is often a sterile urban island. They also can become teaching tools for adults and children who’ve never experienced a prairie from up close. (One of the best ways to experience a prairie, in our opinion.) The Wildflower Center has a helpful article about getting started. Read more…

Other examples include a couple of NPAT’s easements: Simpson Prairie near Waco and Kirchoff Family Farm near Floresville. The story of the prairie restoration at Commons Ford Metro Park in Austin is an interesting one as well. 

Stay tuned! We’ll keep the stories coming.