KPC is kick-starting our annual Great Grow Out, a citizen conservation program that enlists volunteers to grow native grasses and wildflowers at home from seed. These plants will restore prairies at Westside High School, Kolter Elementary, our very own Dragonfly Prairie at Nelson Farms, and our newest restoration site at the Indiangrass Preserve. This is a chance for people to bring a part of the prairie into their own homes for a few months and help restore our hometown habitat.

How can you grow?

KPC will provide you with seeds - we can either send them to you or you can pick them up yourself - and we will provide instructions; you will provide the soil, pots, water, and time. When the plants are ready to be transplanted later this year, you can drop them off at our Indiangrass Preserve to be transplanted into KPC's Native Seed Nursery until they're ready to be used for restoration.  

Who is growing?

Anyone can participate! This is a great project for scout groups, school classes and clubs, garden clubs, individuals, and more. Last year, we had over 3,000 plants grown by volunteers. This year year we're hoping to double that. Please contact Linda Langlitz, Conservation Specialist (our nursery guru) at llanglitz@katyprairie.org for seeds. You can choose from a variety of seeds including Rattlesnake Master, Yellow Indiangrass, etc. Just let Linda know if you want an easy to grow plant or a more challenging species.

Where do we grow?

This is the best part! You can help save the Katy Prairie right in your own backyard, window box, or anywhere else with a little sunshine (we suggest 40-50% shade), water (2X per day, 1-minute each time), and soil (we suggest rich potting mix such as Miracle Gro potting mix) that you can grow plants.  

Bring the prairie into your backyard so we can continue to restore grasslands all over Houston. The Katy Prairie is counting on you to get growing! 

On Saturday, February 286, Covey, KPC's young professionals group, co-hosted an early evening bird tour around Warren Lake with Houston Audubon Society's Night Owls. Despite early threats of rain, the clouds parted and the late afternoon sun lit up the afternoon for over 50 people who showed up to tour the lake. Expert birders Adam Wood and Michael Williams set up scopes on the Matt Cook Memorial Wildlife Viewing Platform while people munched on sweet treats and sipped lemonade.  Then the whole group trekked around Warren Lake, checking out caracaras, canvasbacks, and other birds enjoying an early evening ride around the lake. For more information about Covey and how to join, check out our website.