Coastal Prairie Conservancy

Why do people support the Coastal Prairie Conservancy? Hear from our incredible supporters as they share their passion for conserving prairies, wetlands, and wildlife for generations to come. Check out this inspiring video compilation!

Thank you, Baker Hughes, for your outstanding support of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy! “Thriving natural ecosystems are essential for maintaining rich biodiversity, and we are committed to conserve and protect our natural resources,” said Allyson Book, Chief Sustainability Officer at Baker Hughes. “Coastal Prairie Conservancy preserves and safeguards the ecosystems in the Greater Houston area, and we are proud to partner with them.” Your support empowers CPC to enhance and restore vital coastal prairie lands within the Katy Prairie Preserve. With your help, we can undertake essential restoration projects, improve habitats for wildlife, and engage the public through educational programming and outreach. Your partnership not only aids in the immediate conservation of these precious ecosystems but also strengthens our mission to connect diverse communities with nature. In the coming year, we look forward to expanding our collaborative initiatives, increasing access to the preserve, and inspiring the next generation of conservationists. Please join us in expressing our gratitude to Baker Hughes for its incredible contributions to the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, and for its commitment to preserving the coastal prairie for everyone to enjoy. Thank you!

Thank you to Waller County Precinct 3 Commissioner Kendric D. Jones and Dr. Brian Roland, Precinct 3 Chief of Staff, for touring CPC’s Indiangrass Preserve and meeting with CPC’s President and CEO, Mary Anne Piacentini, and Conservation Director, Wesley Newman. It was a pleasure to discuss the importance of increased public access to nature and the preservation of the Katy Prairie in Waller County; we so appreciate your commitment to understanding and supporting our conservation efforts. Thank you, Commissioner Jones and Dr. Roland, for your dedication to the sustainability of our natural resources and the heritage of Waller County. We look forward to further collaboration in protecting the prairies, wetlands, and wildlife that make our region so special.

I'm proud to announce that the Coastal Prairie Conservancy has permanently conserved the Dawdy Ranch, a 615-acre property in Matagorda County, through a donated conservation easement. The land provides critical habitat for species of concern like the American kestrel and Northern bobwhite. The closing of this easement expands CPC’s conserved lands to over 32,000 acres in Southeast Texas. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the extraordinary generosity of the landowner, who donated the conservation easement to ensure this rare landscape is protected forever. We are also profoundly grateful to our supporters, whose commitment to conservation fuels our efforts to preserve these vital lands for future generations. This work would not be possible without them. Read the story in the Katy News here: https://lnkd.in/gWyjMJGN

Thank you to the #BoschCommunityFund for their generous support of CPC! “The Coastal Prairie Conservancy shares our dedication to providing innovative hands-on learning opportunities that help engage students and families in environmental education and sustainability activities,” said Kathleen Owsley, President of the Bosch Community Fund. “We’re honored to partner with an organization that sets the standard for exceptional education in Houston.” The Bosch Community Fund's generous support of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy further supports CPC's Land Stewardship Program and Education and Outreach Program. These programs facilitate hands-on opportunities for students and families in the Greater Houston area to engage in environmental education and sustainability activities that further the organization’s mission of land conservation in the region. Notably, this support will allow CPC to engage additional crews from the Student Conservation Association (SCA), an organization building the next generation of conservation leaders. Please join us in expressing our gratitude to the Bosch Community Fund for their incredible support in preserving the coastal prairie for everyone to enjoy. Thank you! ?Photo courtesy of Chuck Duplant.

Thank you to the amazing #Amazon volunteers who joined us at the Indiangrass Preserve this past week. Together, they planted 200 milkweed plants for CPC's Monarch Butterfly Enhancement Project, repotted trees, and removed invasive plant species from the Indiangrass Preserve. Interested in setting up a Corporate Volunteer Day? Please contact Bethany Foshée, MS ([email protected]) for more information.

I am delighted to share that the Coastal Prairie Conservancy has conserved 298 acres in Matagorda County. Thank you to our supporters for your commitment to supporting local conservation, wildlife habitat, and clean water. Your support has been instrumental to our success in saving these critical lands.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible supporters and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help CPC even in the wake of Hurricane Beryl and the enormous challenges that many of them faced. Even with these challenges, so many of them extended financial support, opened their homes, and volunteered time to move projects forward. The unwavering dedication of CPC’s volunteers has been truly inspiring. Hurricane Beryl underscores the vulnerability of our coastal communities and the urgent need for continued efforts to preserve our natural resources to increase resilience. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy remains steadfast in our mission to protect and restore Texas's coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches, all of which serve as vital buffers against such natural disasters. The aftermath of this storm reminds us of the importance of community and the strength we find in coming together. Thank you to everyone who supported CPC during this period. Your efforts make a profound difference.

As we celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July, we at the Coastal Prairie Conservancy reflect on the importance of our natural landscapes and the benefits they bring to us all. Just as Independence Day symbolizes our collective effort to protect our nation's treasures, our mission to preserve Texas' coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches embodies the spirit of stewardship and responsibility. This holiday, we invite you to explore the outdoors with your family and friends or on your own. CPC’s Matt Cook Memorial Wildlife Viewing Platform will be open from dawn to dusk on July 4th. A short walk through the Shrike Prairie, currently teeming with wildflowers, leads to this two-story structure overlooking the beautiful Warren Lake. Bring your binoculars and enjoy the abundant wildlife.The first level is ADA compliant. Let’s cherish and protect these natural wonders for future generations. Happy upcoming Fourth of July from all of us at the Coastal Prairie Conservancy!

The recent devastation from Tropical Storm Alberto highlights the urgent need for additional flood mitigation in Houston, especially those activities that involve preserving natural areas and implementing nature-based solutions. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s mission to preserve and restore coastal prairies – both its grasses and its wetlands – helps reduce impacts from flooding.?Native prairie and wetlands not only increase infiltration to the soil but also greatly reduce flow rates with higher roughness values.?Since 1992, the Houston metropolitan area has lost up to 70% of its wetlands. The EPA estimates that one wetland acre can store between 1 and 1.5 million gallons of water. To date, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy has restored more than 4,000 acres of wetlands on its preserve system – providing fabulous habitat for migratory waterfowl while also helping to hold back floodwaters.?In catastrophic flooding events, this time is essential. It’s the time we need for water to drain, for the sun to come out, and for flood-prone residential and commercial areas to recover. Even if waters are only held back for a day or two, this can make an enormous difference.?