|
|
|
|
|
Letter from the Director
Help Wanted
In 2004 the Katy Prairie Conservancy was offered the opportunity of a lifetime - to double the amount of protected acreage on the Katy Prairie by securing a majority interest in the 6,500-acre Warren Ranch. Protecting the Warren Ranch was a strategic move because of its ecological value and because it was bounded on its eastern, western, and southern boundaries by land already protected by KPC.
KPC secured philanthropic dollars to make a substantial down payment. But to seal the deal and close on the land, it secured a mortgage. Today KPC is working to pay off this mortgage - essentially an option on the ranch - to ensure the permanent protection of Warren Ranch. The amounts seem large - it takes $1.5 million to permanently protect each 500 acres. But if we break it down and think about the 3.5 million Houstonians and the millions of Texans who ultimately will benefit from having a huge swath of green space on Houston's west side, it is an amazing investment in the future - for our children, for our children's children, and for ourselves. So far, we've permanently secured 700 acres - slightly more than 10 per cent of the ranch. We'd like to have it all in hand five years from now. But we can't do it without your help.
Please consider a mid-year gift to the Warren Ranch Preservation Fund to help us protect the Warren Ranch. Go to www.katyprairie.org and click on Support to give electronically or print out a contribution form from the website and mail a check. Gifts designated for the Warren Ranch Preservation Fund will help KPC to keep growing its equity in the ranch, acre by acre. |
 | |
Katy Prairie Conservancy Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 22, 2008 @ 6:30 PM
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet
Come to the 15th annual meeting of the Katy Prairie Conservancy and hear Carter Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and former director of KPC, discuss the challenges of conserving land near urban centers in Texas in a talk, entitled: Conserving Land for People and Wildlife: The Lure and Challenge of the Katy Prairie. KUHF's Eric Ladau will be on hand to give away prizes at a reception hosted by KUHF, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and KPC. Refreshmanes graciously provided by Starbucks.
For those of you who have given us your physical address, you will receive an inviation in the mail. Otherwise, please use this story as your personal invitation to attend. The event is free and no reservations are necessary.
|
 Observations
The early days of spring have proven to be very active for our wildlife. On April 6th we hosted an Open Trails event at the Mary Manor Preserve and guests were not disappointed. Many different shorebirds including a flock of about 50 Golden Plovers were working the muddy flats on the northeast part of the preserve while Northern Shovelers and a couple of Cinnamon Teal weaved and dodged through the wetter southeastern wetland area. Also abundant were frogs and reptiles. Most visitors heard the ever-present metallic clicks of Northern Cricket frogs and saw huge bullfrogs patiently waiting for flying prey. Non-venomous water snakes also abounded. Guests eagerly watched as four-foot long Diamondback water snakes performed their odd, sinuous mating rituals.
Sometimes the best wildlife watching occurs late in the day. As we were leaving the preserve for the day, I saw long-time KPC volunteer Iris Poteet carefully scanning the grass just beyond the road. She signaled to me that I should move slowly and quietly. When I reached her she pointed out the Upland Sandpipers bobbing through the grass. As these long-necked, stately shorebirds moved through the grass their cryptic coloration served them well. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day on the prairie.
|
 EventsMay 4, 2008
9:00 PM - 12:00 PM
The Warren Ranch is a vibrant landscape of breezy grasslands and pastures, flowing creeks, and islands of oak trees set against the backdrop of an authentic Texas cattle ranch. The ranch's many habitats attract mighty hunting hawks, lightning-quick jackrabbits, brilliant butterflies, and a rainbow of wildflowers. Come hike a self-guided prairie trail where you'll discover the sometimes rare and always wonderful animals and plants that make this place one of the hottest wildlife hotspots in our area.
Visitors will be provided with a map and a full-color trail guide. Starting May 2nd guests can also download May's Open Trails podcast at www.katyprairie.org.
What to wear/bring: All participants should wear appropriate outdoor clothing, including closed-toe shoes and long pants. A long-sleeve shirt is also recommended. Participants should bring their own water and insect repellent.
No registration required for this event. For more information please e-mail info@katyprairie.org, call 713.523.6135, or visit the website for directions. Up-to-date weather information and event status will be posted on www.katyprairie.org and on our telephone answering system by 7:00 AM on the day of the event.
Podcast will be available to download before the event! You can visit our website on May 2nd to download a podcast that will be a great accompaniment to the booklet provided to you at the event. The podcast will enhance your experience on the prairie as it will include recordings of the sounds you may hear while on the prairie.
Prairie Discovery Tour:
Celebrating International Migratory Bird Day 
May 10, 2008
Over 300 species of birds have been spotted on the Katy Prairie, making this priceless landscape one of the 50 hottest birding sites in the nation! The Katy Prairie is an oasis where rare, colorful, and powerful birds gather each year to raise young during the summer and to spend the winter. Flashy flycatchers, brilliant buntings, zipping hummingbirds, and swooping Swainson's hawks highlight spring migration. Each year these migratory birds make marathon flights from as far away as the tip of South America to reach the prairie. Come out and play an action-packed migratory bird game, get a bird 'tattoo', and follow an expert bird watcher as we reveal the science and the mystery behind the miracle of migration and celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD).
What to wear/bring: All participants should wear appropriate outdoor clothing, including closed-toe shoes and long pants. A long-sleeve shirt is also recommended. Participants should bring their own water and insect repellent.
Registration required for this event. For more information please e-mail info@katyprairie.org, call 713.523.6135, or visit the website for directions. Up-to-date weather information and event status will be posted on www.katyprairie.org and on our telephone answering system by 7:00 AM on the day of the event.
|
|
Volunteer Opportunities, Education, & Acknowledgements
New Tour Guide Resources Webpage
KPC has developed a new tour guide resources webpage.This informational clearinghouse offers  PrairiECOnnections PowerPoint presentations and printable tour guide cards. In the future we will also use this webpage to post recorded PrairiECOnnections classes, environmental education lessons for the trail, and guidelines for leading good tours. Volunteer AcknowledgementsKPC would like to thank the following dedicated volunteers who gave generously of their time in April: Open Trails
Jennifer Backo ( Open Trails) Michael Bustamente Maria Frick Magaret Frick
Iris Poteet
Alan Richardson
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory - Site Partner Monitoring
Bob Honig
Maggie Honig
David Poteet
Iris Poteet
Al Shultz
Kathie Shultz
Coastal Prairie Seed Nursery
Jim Brannon
Jim Lawrence
Mimi Lawrence Grace Liggett
Cheryl Sedivec
Conservation Work
Alan Richardson |
|
Prairie Exchange
This month we are asking for something quite simple but very powerful. We are asking  you to return to the Katy Prairie with someone who has never visited our preserves. You can bring them out to our Open Trails event, our next Prairie Discovery Tour, or just visit our Wildlife Viewing Platform at the Nelson Farms Preserve. Afterwards send us your comments on your experience or offer some suggestions for future events or programming that you would like to see us host.
|
 Support KPC | |
|
|
| The Katy Prairie Conservancy
3015 Richmond Avenue, Suite 230
Houston, TX 77098-3114
713.523.6135
|
|
|
