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Field Trip: Memorial Park Kinder Land Bridge and Wolff Prairie

September 21 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Meeting Location

In Google Maps- Parking Lot- Memorial Park- Running Track (N Picnic Ln) – we will meet at the Rally Pavilion in the southern part of the parking area (GPS 29.76584, -95.44630).

Things To Bring

We may wander off trail, so boots/closed toe shoes and bug spray recommended. Please bring adequate hydration and other items you may require to be comfortable. I anticipate we will be in full sun the entire time, so dress appropriately.

Field Trip Overview

The Memorial Land Bridge and Prairie Project has provided Houston with a unique driving experience while providing habitat connectivity between larger environs north and south of Memorial Drive. From a plant perspective this area will provide participants with the ability to see how species respond to various restoration techniques. If time permits, we will explore forest edge, prairie, wetland, and riparian communities. Due to the amount of earthwork required for this project, erosion due to slopes and utilization of subsurface clays made rapid vegetation and soil cohesion via rooting extremely important. As a result, we will likely see a few grass species such as sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula, State Grass of Texas) and hairy grama (B. hirsuta). These species are more typical of Central and Western Texas, but inclusions within the Houston area are often on recently exposed lagoonal/marine mudstones (e.g. clays deposited in a marine/deltac systems). In addition to plant identification, we will discuss how plant species can be selected based on anticipated post-restoration conditions, how adaptive management can be utilized to promote success, and how high-profile projects demand additional planning.

Additional Site Information

https://www.memorialparkconservancy.org/discover/master-plan/land-bridge-prairie-restoration-project/

About the Field Trip Leader

Andy Newman is the Chief Ecologist at The Earth Partners and has 15 years of experience working within diverse ecosystems for a wide array of project types. His position places an emphasis leading the technical ecological restoration of projects, managing construction and adaptive management, and helping clients meet their compensatory mitigation requirements. His background includes environmental restoration planning, stakeholder engagement, construction, planting, and ecological uplift assessment. Andy’s specialties include aquatic feature delineations and jurisdictional determinations, Clean Water Act permitting, threatened and endangered species identification and consultations, NEPA compliance, plant identification, and community classification. His favorite ecosystems include longleaf pine savannas, coastal prairies, and southern Appalachian forests.

Additional Coordination Details

Please contact Bob Romero for any further coordination details at bobromero@gmail.com or by phone at 713.248.6030.

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About the Region

New Braunfels, the location of our Fall 2024 Symposium, straddles both the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion and the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Interstate 35 divides the city of New Braunfels; its path through the city closely parallels the boundary of these two ecoregions, with the Edwards Plateau on the west side and the Blackland Prairies region to the east. The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason