Coastal Prairie Conservancy
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Mission Statement
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust helping sustain a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever.
About This Cause
The organization's long-term goals are to: • protect at least 50,000 acres of the coastal prairie; • allow public access to the preserves; • enhance and improve habitat for upland- and wetland-related species; • offer educational programs for school-aged and general public; and • conduct and facilitate research to help accomplish our mission. History: The Coastal Prairie Conservancy was founded in 1992. As a land trust, the organization is focused on its primary mission to preserve at least 50,000 contiguous acres on the coastal prairie. This is the acreage that biologists agree is critical to ensure the continued diversity of wildlife on the prairie. The Conservancy is making significant progress toward this goal, with over 30,000 acres now protected through outright acquisition, conservation easements, purchased development rights, and cooperative agreements with local governments. In addition, landowners working in concert with CPC have protected more than 3,000 additional acres individually and are working with KPC to place easements on their tracts. Each year CPC continues to expand its preserve system of largely contiguous and unfragmented conservation lands. Need: Past generations of Houstonians showed remarkable foresight in setting aside irreplaceable tracts like Herman Park, Memorial Park, Cullen Park, and the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. Without a similar vision in these times, growth will quickly swallow up the coastal prairie, and a singular opportunity to plan for the future needs of the area will be lost. This historic tallgrass prairie, located just 30 miles west of downtown Houston, is the winter home to one of the densest concentrations of migratory waterfowl in North America and the Katy Prairie Preserve is home to more than 300 species of birds; 110 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians; 500 species of grasses and wildflowers; and thousands of insects and aquatic invertebrates. The Katy Prairie was part of a vast North American tallgrass prairie system that stretched from the Gulf Coast to Canada. Only a fraction of that prairie remains today, much of it currently in agricultural production. The prairie remains the winter home to one of the densest concentrations of migratory waterfowl in North America. These lands are located in the middle of the Central Flyway and boast more than 300 resident and migratory bird species; 110 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles; 500 species of wildflowers and grasses, and thousands of terrestrial insects and aquatic invertebrate species. In 2012 the Katy Prairie was designated a Global Important Bird Area by National Audubon – one of only 17 sites in Texas. The West Houston Association reported that nearly 1/3 of the 3 million more people who are expected to live in Houston by 2035 would move to Houston’s Westside. Already, there are proposals for new roads, high-voltage transmission lines, and bullet trains – impacts that will profoundly impact CPC’s preserve systems and the coastal prairie if built. Every year, more and more of the prairie is transformed into residential and commercial development; with this wholesale conversion, the opportunity to preserve the prairie as a natural resource for conservation and recreation is forever lost. CPC’s acquisition efforts are even more urgent today than when we began our land protection program in 1992. Target Population: The people of Texas will benefit from the preservation of the coastal prairie as will the diverse species of wildlife that winter or reside on the prairie. In addition, the prairie’s natural ability to detain storm water offers significant flood protection benefits to downstream residents and businesses. The Cypress Creek watershed also can provide significant water quality improvement to Lake Houston, source of drinking water for millions of people in the area. Public access to conservation areas for recreational and educational purposes already attracts hunters, nature viewers, and birdwatchers from all over North America. The prairie also beckons to local hikers and bicyclists. CPC’s field studies program helps educators teach students how wetland and prairie systems impact nearby residents and their environment. KPC also works with its conservation partners to provide summer and winter youth programs, including hunting with the Texas Wildlife Association, field days for Future Farmers of America with NRCS, and wildlife habitat identification opportunities for 4-H through the Texas Cooperative Extension. Programs: CPC’s core activity is to protect land on the coastal prairie. To meet our long-term goal of protecting at between 30,000 and 60,000 acres, a variety of land protection measures are used, such as fee simple acquisition, conservation easements, land preservation agreements, and donation or creation of wetlands mitigation projects. Protected lands are managed in an ecologically sound manner with attention to the need for wildlife habitat, current land uses and practices, recreational potential, and preservation of ecologically sensitive areas. Land protection is complemented by access, outreach, and educational activities to ensure that the public is introduced to the beauty and diversity of the coastal prairie and the need to preserve it. For example, the Conservancy’s two-story wildlife-viewing platform at Warren Lake provides birdwatchers and nature viewers access 365 days a year and is part of Site 99 on the Katy Prairie Loop on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail - Upper Texas Coast. By late 2016, CPC completed the restoration of 55 acres at its Indiangrass Preserve, including wetlands and grasslands as well as constructing trails to allow visitors to explore the prairie. CPC is also in the design development stage to convert its field office to a Prairie Field Institute that will enable the organization to offer more hands-on science and conservation classes for children; adult workshops on various environmental topics; summer and winter camps; special field trips for scout groups, and host university students undertaking prairie-related research. CPC also provides public access to its lands through Unplugged Adventures, its monthly programs on CPC preserves; Ranger Treks, a monthly guided tour of our preserves; self-guided tours most Tuesdays, Friday, and Saturdays at CPC’s Indiangrass Preserve; public tours by other conservation groups; corporate-sponsored workdays; educational field trips for grades K-12, and research opportunities for college and university students. Volunteers enable CPC to open its preserves to the public and to educate visitors on the importance and diversity of the prairie. Funding: The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit tax-exempt entity that receives donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals as well as support from federal grant programs. In addition, CPC earns income through its stream and wetlands mitigation banks; its ranching operations, and its fees for services. CPC is a member of EarthShare Texas. Board: The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) is overseen by a Board of Directors who represent diverse sectors of the community and offer expertise in real estate, probate, and agricultural law; accounting; real estate development; civic affairs; environmental engineering; agriculture; hunting; and conservation.