Brice Moczygemba retired in December 2017 after a 30-year career as a civil engineer and principal with Pape-Dawson Engineers. His lifelong interest in the outdoors and nature began as a child when he spent his summers at his grandparents’ farm in southeastern Wilson County, Texas. Brice’s Moczygemba great-grandfather purchased the first of 225 acres in 1917, and the family has managed the property for generations.
Upon retiring, Brice decided to dedicate his time to managing a 50-acre parcel of the family property, focusing on conservation and habitat restoration. He has been a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) and was inspired by presentations on pollinator gardens, native residential landscapes, and prairie restorations. In 2021, Brice began researching the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Pastures for Upland Birds (PUB) Program and other prairie restoration initiatives.
Brice’s dedication to conservation led him to collaborate with various experts and organizations, including TPWD, Don Kirchoff (Kirchoff Prairie), the Native Prairie Association of Texas (NPAT), and the Texas Native Seeds (TNS) Program. In partnership with TPWD and EOG Resources, he implemented a large-scale prairie restoration project on his property, eradicating invasive species and planting 40 native grasses and forbs. The project has successfully increased biological diversity and provided habitat for resident, breeding, migrating, and wintering bird populations as well as wildlife of all types.
Brice’s efforts have transformed 50 acres of the family property into a thriving prairie ecosystem, showcasing his commitment to conservation and sustainable land management.
