Published on February 18, 2019 • Last updated on March 2nd, 2019

Simpson Prairie

Location: Northwest McLennan County near Valley Mills and Crawford
Region: Cross Timbers and Prairies
Size: 75 acres
Ownership: Owned by Mike and Marliss Williams with a conservation easement held by NPAT.

History

After growing up in the area and learning about prairies, Mike remembered seeing prairie before the area of Simpson Prairie became overgrazed.

Mike then searched for and found part of the overgrazed prairie, purchased it, and restored Simpson Prairie.

Mike has used seed hay from Simpson Prairie in area prairie restoration and plantings.

Site Description

Simpson Prairie is a prairie remnant of the Grand Prairie (Lampasas Cut Plains of the Cross Timbers and Prairies) on a gently sloping hillside. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) are dominant grasses.