The presentation discusses the three year journey of restoring an overgrazed 50 acre property, covered with mesquites and invasive grasses, into a native prairie through a Pastures for Upland Birds (PUB) Grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The presentation discusses the three year journey of restoring an overgrazed 50 acre property, covered with mesquites and invasive grasses, into a native prairie through a Pastures for Upland Birds (PUB) Grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
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 […]
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.
Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).
The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.
The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.
Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.
Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason