Our Disappearing Native Blackland Prairies
All North Texas native plant enthusiasts have to be pleased when the media spotlight focuses on a topic of great importance to us. The Dallas Morning News recently published an article on “North America’s most endangered ecoregion is in North Texas’ backyard. Here’s what you need to know” by Francesca D’Annunzio.
The story discusses the vanishing native Tallgrass Prairies, and specifically the Blackland Prairie in North Texas.
“The Blackland prairie is unique to Texas — and most of it is already gone. The ecoregion once extended from the Red River to the Gulf Coast. Now, less than 1% of the original Blackland prairie vegetation remains — and it’s scattered across the state in parcels, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
As rapid development threatens the prairie’s remaining patches, the loss comes at a cost to the region’s natural beauty, heritage and environmental health. Prairies help with carbon sequestration, flood control and help clean groundwater — for free.”
Discover More About Blackland Prairies
Below are some reference material and articles to learn more about our Blackland Prairies.
- Overview of Blackland Prairies
- Blackland Prairie Plant Reference Listing
- Prairies are more than Grass on Flat Land
- What are Prairie Remnants versus Prairie Restorations
- Preserving the Resilience of Native Prairies with Prescribed Burns
