Native Prairies Association of Texas

Texas native prairies are home to iconic wildflowers and much-loved wildlife species such as Monarch butterflies, Bobwhite quail, and Texas horned lizards. They provide many benefits, such as clean water, food production, flood protection, carbon capture, and outdoor recreation. 

Native prairies are also one of our most endangered natural ecosystems. Over 12 million acres of vibrant tallgrass prairies once existed in North and Central Texas. These rich grasslands were the source of the bountiful agricultural and natural resources our state inherited. Unfortunately, today, less than 1% of the original prairie remains and we continue to lose over 250 acres per day of critical rural lands to urban development.

The good news? 

Native Prairies Association of Texas—and Texans like you—are working to save our prairies and natural heritage across the state. Recognizing the urgency of this situation,  NPAT has created a visionary program — the North Texas Prairie Initiative (NTPI) — dedicated to preserving native prairies, restoring degraded grasslands, and engaging North Texans in prairie conservation efforts. 

Through this new initiative, NPAT aims to accelerate the conservation of rapidly disappearing prairies in the 16-county region surrounding DFW (NTPI target geographic region map). Our goal is to preserve at least 2000 acres of prairie in North Texas over the next four years.

While significant new funding is now available to accelerate North Texas prairie protection, NPAT must raise matching funds to accomplish these goals. 

By donating to NPAT, you can add much needed matching funds to the North Texas Prairie Initiative and help Rachel Seets, our North Texas Conservation Manager (pictured on the right), advance this initiative in the following ways: 

1. Protect More Land: Cover the appraisal, survey, and other expenses to complete a new conservation easement to permanently preserve Texas native prairie land.
2. Engage Landowners: Host educational workshops and provide expert guidance to landowners, enabling them to implement effective conservation practices.
3. Maintain Prairie Health: Invest in managing and restoring protected prairies, including controlling invasive species, conducting prescribed burns, and restoring native vegetation.
4. Forge Strategic Partnerships: Build collaborative relationships with local organizations, agencies, and community groups to expand prairie protection and restoration projects.

REASONS TO LOVE NATIVE PRAIRIE

Texas prairies provide remarkable benefits - surprising plant and animal diversity, rich soil, water cleansing, reduced flooding, outdoor recreation, natural beauty, sustainable livestock grazing, and more reliable carbon storage than forests. DFW, Houston, and other regional cities are starting to integrate native prairies into their resiliency plans.

WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU SUPPORT NPAT

NPAT lets you directly experience local prairies. The Fort Worth and Blackland (Dallas) chapters offer regular meetings, field trips, workdays, and workshops that let you and your family get outdoors, learn, meet fellow conservationists, and care for local prairies. Each chapter works with city parks, Master Naturalists, and other partners in the DFW metro area and surrounding counties.

YOU are vital to our success. We rely on our extraordinary members, donors, and volunteers. If you are already an NPAT supporter -- thank you! If you are new to NPAT, you are invited to join this unique family of prairie enthusiasts and discover native prairies, be inspired by their beauty, and save a historic part of our Texas heritage.

If you have any questions or would like to connect with NPAT, please send Rachel an email at rachel_seets@texasprairie.org!