Outreach

Lunch and Learn Webinar: Conservation Easements 101

Thursday, April 11, 2024 12:00 to 1:30 PM

Join the Vice President and General Counsel of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, Elisa Donovan, JD, and Daniel Thorpe, Conservation Associate, for a FREE informative session on conservation easements in Texas via Zoom. We'll cover the following topics and take questions from participants:

• How do conservation easements work?

• What are the benefits to the landowner?

• What are the upfront costs? And are there funding opportunities?

• How do the landowner and land trust work together to establish and maintain the easement?

• Does an easement change how a landowner can use the land?

• Can the public access easement lands?

• What if the landowner plans to build another house?

• Can the land be passed to heirs? What happens if the land is sold?

Lunch and Learn: Nature-Positive Resources for Landowners 

Thursday, January 18, 2024 12:00 to 1:30 PM

Join Coastal Prairie Conservancy and Wildlife Habitat Federation (WHF) for a lunch and learn highlighting technical assistance available to landowners. WHF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing on-the-ground technical guidance for the restoration, management, and generational sustainability of prairie and grassland habitat for the conservation of soil, water, air, and wildlife. WHF works one-on-one with landowners to identify natural resource concerns, provide management opportunities and solutions, and address overall objectives of the landowner.

WHF will develop a custom habitat management plan with conservation alternatives that focus on improving the habitat to restore and protect the natural resources of the land. Technical guidance will be provided through WHF to work with landowners in applying for financial assistance programs to aid in the cost of the chosen conservation alternatives. WHF is a trusted partner of Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Prairie Conservancy, and other conservation-minded organizations.

Speakers: Speakers: Will Kearney, Conservationist and Schyler Rhea, Conservationist

2023 Prairie Stampede

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

6:30 to 8:30 PM

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center 4501 Woodway Drive Houston, TX, 77024

Join us for the 2023 Prairie Stampede Holiday Celebration & Awards Dinner on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 6:30 PM! Bring you favorite dish to share for a covered dish dinner. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy and the Houston Chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will provide meat for the dinner.

All prairie enthusiasts, conservationists, restorationists, and organizations supporting and preserving native prairies in Texas are cordially invited to this annual evening of networking, awards, and celebration of 2023 prairie accomplishments for Texas and Louisiana.

Prairie Plant ID Workshop

Thursday, October 26, 2023 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

University of Houston - Clear Lake

Join us for a hands-on workshop showcasing our Gulf Coast prairie plants! We will begin the day with expert speakers covering prairie plant identification, ecology, and taxonomy. We'll then venture out to explore three urban prairies in the Clear Lake area. Here, we will demonstrate seed collecting and practice our plant identification skills.

Speakers and Presentations:

10:00 - 10:45 AM: Rider Combs - Property Manager, Ecology and Natural Resources Teaching Area - Texas A&M University Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management - “Keys to Identifying Prairie Plants”.

10:50 - 11:35 AM: Ricci Simmons, Conservation Stewardship Manager, Galveston Bay Foundation - "Taxonomy of the Gulf Coast Plant Communities"

11:40 AM - 12: 25 PM: Tim Siegmund, Private Lands Program Leader, TPWD - “ How to spot a remnant prairie"

Lunch and Learn: Battling Invasive Species on the Texas Gulf Coast

Thursday, August 10, 2023 12:00 to 1:15 PM

Via Zoom

Restoration Round Up

Saturday, April 1, 2023 8:30 to 3:00 PM

Indiangrass Preserve 31975 Hebert Road Waller, TX 77484

Join us at the Indiangrass Preserve for a day of hands-on demonstrations on restoring native grasslands. These skills may be applied on farms, ranches, private residences, parks, and more!

Restoration specialists and conservationists will cover topics such as prescribed fire, sustainable grazing, native seeding, funding opportunities, grassland bird conservation, and native plant propagation.

Cost: $35 General Admission | $20 Student Tickets.

Lunch and Learn: Restoring Habitat for Imperiled Grassland Birds: Measuring Success on the Katy Prairie

Friday, March 10, 2023 12:00 to 1:15 PM

Via Zoom

Beginning in 2020, Bob Honig and later John Berner led a team of experienced birders in monitoring grassland bird populations on a recently restored prairie within the Katy Prairie's Indiangrass Preserve along with a neighboring, unrestored pasture. Join John for an informative talk on his team's findings and ongoing work with CPC including ways for you to get involved.

The researchers focused their breeding season surveys on key species of concern including northern bobwhite, scissor-tailed flycatcher, loggerhead shrike, and dickcissel. Winter season surveys were focused on short-eared owl, loggerhead shrike, sedge wren, Sprague’s pipit, and LeConte’s sparrow. Migratory season surveys included records of American golden- plover, upland sandpiper, and loggerhead shrike. Findings from this important study are being evaluated to support our continued habitat restoration work on the Coastal Prairies of Texas.

Lunch and Learn:
Conservation Easements 101

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Via Zoom