Ann Sansone points out blue eyed grass, a native plant to the prairies. Photography by Shelby Tauber.
Celebrate Native Plants and Prairies Day at White Rock Lake this weekend.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 6 at the Bath House Cultural Center and is intended to help visitors understand why prairies are worth preserving and how they support wildlife.
Prairies are diverse ecosystems where tall grasses, flowers and seed-bearing plants thrive, offering food and shelter to animals such as birds, bees and butterflies. Less than 1% of the Blackland prairie ecoregion, unique to Texas, is protected or remains in natural condition, which makes it “one of the most devastated ecoregions in the world,” according to One Earth.
The North Texas Master Naturalists, Native Plant Society of Texas – Dallas Chapter and Native Prairies Association of Texas – Blackland Prairie Chapter are organizing the activities.
Several guest speakers are lined up to present throughout the day:
- Carly Aulicky: Pockets and Remnants: Saving Texas Prairies — 10:15-11 a.m.
- Carol Clark: Our Native Bees — 11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Ben Sandifer: Birds of White Rock Lake — 12:15-1 p.m.
- Janet D. Smith: Nature’s Best Hope — 1:15-2 p.m.
- Paula Selzer: Nature photographer, Birding in the City — 2:15-3 p.m.
- Michael Smith: Mindfulness in Nature — 3:15-4 p.m.
Prairie tours at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. will cover a variety of topics including identifying prairie plants and providing nature photography tips.
Nature trunks, crafts and art activities will be available for kids. Nearly two dozen groups are expected to have exhibits on display.
