October 12 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Meeting Location: Registration is required and limited space is available. The location will be sent to registered participants only. Email Della_Barbato@TexasPrairie.org to register. She will e-mail you a liability waiver and important parking instructions.
Things To Bring: We will wander off trail, so boots/closed toe shoes and bug spray recommended. There
are some wetlands, and since your leader is a wetland ecologist he likely is going to want to get wet to
see fun species such as powdery thalia (Thalia dealbata). Follow at your own risk (you should do it – why
not?). Please bring adequate hydration and other items you may require to be comfortable. We will be in
full sun the entire time, so dress appropriately.
Field Trip Overview: Please at some point, find out the conservation story of this 51 acre property, it
speaks accolades of many people and groups who came together to preserve a jewel of the habitat type
that used to dominate the Greater Houston Area. This is called a “platinum prairie” with over 400 plant
species identified. In depth information provided by Singhurst et al. in The Vascular Flora and Plant
Communities of Lawther-Deer Park Prairie, Harris County, Texas, USA (link below). As Singhurst et al.
points out there are six distinctive vegetation communities present within the area. Plant species
representation include Grasses (84 species), Sunflowers (68 species), Sedges (33 species) and
Legumes (19 species). Since your leader is a grass and sedge nerd- we will focus on finding some
uncommon species to the area such as slender bluestem (Schizachyrium tenerum), Pineywoods
dropseed (Sporobolus junceus), purple silkyscale (Anthenantia rufa), Texas windmill grass (Chloris
texensis), and Georgia nutrush (Scleria georgiana- one of leader’s favorites, has cool iridescent pits on
achene [seed]). It may be a week or two early, but we may find nodding ladies tresses (Spiranthes
cernua). From a conservation perspective, we will discuss how these areas are key to preserving diversity and genetics and can be utilized to promote future restoration efforts. Additionally, we may also discuss management limitations of areas like this (e.g. difficulty burning/grazing, invasive pathways, woody encroachment, etc.).
Singhurst et al Paper: https://texasprairie.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Flora-and-plant-coummunities-of-Deer-Park-Prairie.pdf
Additional Site Information: https://texasprairie.org/deerpark/
Leader Bio: Andy Newman is the Chief Ecologist at The Earth Partners and has 15 years’ experience
working within diverse ecosystems for a wide array of project types. His position places an emphasis
leading the technical ecological restoration of projects, managing construction and adaptive management, and helping clients meet their compensatory mitigation requirements. His background includes environmental restoration planning, stakeholder engagement, construction, planting, and ecological uplift assessment. Andy’s specialties include aquatic feature delineations and jurisdictional determinations, Clean Water Act permitting, threatened and endangered species identification and consultations, NEPA compliance, plant identification, and community classification. His favorite ecosystems include longleaf pine savannas, coastal prairies, and southern Appalachian forests.
Additional Coordination Details: Please contact Bob Romero for any further coordination details at
bobromero@gmail.com or by phone at (713) 248-6030.
Photo Credit: Suzanne Simpson
