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Field Trip: Warren Ranch Saline Barrens

March 29, 2025 @ 9:00 am 11:00 am

Meeting Location: Meet approximately 0.5 miles south of Matt Cook Memorial Wildlife Viewing Platform on Warren Ranch Road in northwestern Harris County. The gate for this location is north of the intersection of Warren Ranch Road and Jack Road. GPS coordinates are: 29.96934, -95.84305

Things To Bring: Closed toe shoes and bug spray are 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: This field trip will be focused on seeing rare species endemic to saline barrens that occur on the Texas coastal prairie. Jason Singhurst (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist) described these habitats as the pyramid dropseed (Sporobolus pyramidatus), bristle-seed sand-spurrey (Spergularia echinosperma), narrowleaf marsh elder (Iva angustifolia), and Texas prairie dawn (Hymenoxys texana) herbaceous vegetation community of the Houston Saline Prairie. There are several other unique species that we may find including Texas windmill grass (Chloris texensis) and Texas Willkommia (Willkommia texana). The below talk by the field trip leader on YouTube and paper by Singhurst are suggested reference material to review prior to field trip to help participants understand these unique systems.

Additional Flora Information: https://www.phytoneuron.net/2014Phytoneuron/19PhytoN-Hymenoxystexana.pdf

Field Trip Leader’s Talk About Saline Barrens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbwKeKJwoI&t=1223s

Additional Site Information: https://www.coastalprairieconservancy.org/

Waiver to Fill Out: https://www.coastalprairieconservancy.org/waiver-of-liability-release-and-indemnity-and-media-release-form

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