Elder Prairie Restoration

Enjoy learning valuable prairie restoration practices you can apply to your prairie project while volunteering to help NPAT restore this important Blackland prairie in beautiful Washington County.

Join us in caring for Elder Prairie workdays, where we will focus on removing woody debris and invasive plants. We'll spend the morning clearing areas to support the recovery of native plants and to improve wildlife habitat.

Thank you for helping us restore one of the largest remaining tracts of the Fayette Prairie!

Monthly, every first Wednesday (excluding July & August)

You can register below for the map and directions.

Native Prairie Soil Health:

Dig Deeper

"The nation that destroys its soil, destroys itself."

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Healthy soil is the foundation not only for a healthy prairie but for all life, and understanding these relationships is vital for stewarding a sustainable, balanced, and functional ecosystem.

This course is for anyone who wants to build an understanding of what supports and sustains us. This class is for everyone, whether you are just learning about soils or if you attended our 2025 course and are ready to dig deeper.

WHAT IS IN STORE

• Gain a solid understanding of soil survey terminology and processes. 
• Clearly differentiate between soil series and soil map units to improve mapping accuracy.
• Explore soil mapping concepts and develop skills to identify changes in soil characteristics by analyzing vegetation and landforms. 
• Investigate geological formations and the inherited properties of soils to gain a deeper understanding of their formation and behavior. 
• Learn effective strategies for recognizing and managing dynamic soil properties. 
• Study the interactions between soil, plants, and animals to foster a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem dynamics. 

Participants will have the valuable opportunity to complete a comprehensive web soil survey assignment before class, setting the stage for personalized applications and deeper insights.

Native Plant Propagation

Propagate native plants to spread their benefits! Join Chris Bailey and Lan Shen in the Coastal Prairie Conservancy Indiangrass Preserve greenhouse.

Join us for hands-on practice in the greenhouse and learn:

• How to start plants from seeds, plugs, and cuttings
• Where to obtain seeds
• When to start seeds and when to plant
• Best dates for planting native grasses based on weather records

All materials will be provided, or bring seeds to share. You are encouraged to leave your starters to contribute to the Indiangrass Preserve, or you can take them to your own prairie restoration project.

Bring your lunch, enjoy the beauty of the prairie, and

take some time to stroll along the marked prairie trails.

Elder Prairie Bird Watch

Join us for a spring morning at Elder Prairie Preserve. Whether you're new to birding, looking to improve your identification skills, or already an expert wanting to share the experience, this outing is for you. Continue learning while spending time with other prairie and wildlife enthusiasts. Discover local birdlife at your own pace in a welcoming environment.

Erik Wolf and Debbie McMullen, avid local birders, will lead the walk and share practical tips to help you spot and identify prairie birds.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Whether you find yourself balancing city life with a rural escape or you've made the jump to full-time land ownership, this series is designed for new and beginning landowners eager to define their land use goals and set clear expectations.



• Understand what you can do with your land
• Connect with resources, information, and expertise in your community
• Create habitats that support diverse wildlife and pollinators
• Improve water quality for a thriving ecosystem
• Implement effective erosion control strategies



WHAT TO EXPECT

Our goal is to empower you with strategies to thrive as a land steward, while connecting you with the vital resources and expertise you need to succeed.

Prepare to gain valuable insights that will help you embrace your land, reduce your learning curve, and achieve your aspirations!

2026 Annual Spring Grow-Out

Seedlings are thriving in our local nursery and will be ready this spring

Grazing Management in the

Lost Pines & Post Oak Savannah

Workshop topics:

• Introduction to the Lost Pines/Post Oak Savannah and the role of herbivory and fire in habitat management
• Plant communities and wildlife habitat
• Grazing strategies and their effect on plant communities
• Habitat management to benefit wildlife in the Lost Pines/Post Oak Savannah ecosystem
• Financial support for natural resource management 

Partners and Sponsors: Texas Parks & Wildlife, United States Department of Agriculture, Houston Zoo, Texas A&M AgriLife, and Pines & Prairies Land Trust