May 2019

Dear Friend,

May is a busy time of year for the Katy Prairie Conservancy. Our annual fundraising gala will be held tomorrow at the Houston Country Club. This event allows us to celebrate all we have accomplished in the past year and honor those who support our work.

The incredibly generous individuals like Forrest Wylie who transform our work are important to recognize, but so are YOU.

Together, in the last five years, we have accomplished breathtaking work. The photos below show you the transformation of the Indiangrass Preserve over this period of time. The beauty of the preserve today is due to the extraordinary work of countless individuals who have donated their time, given their dollars, and shared their talents with us.

Today, and every day, we are grateful for you. Our work is not done, but we have much to celebrate. Thank you for every part you have played in creating this beautiful preserve, protected forever for all Houstonians.

Sincerely,
Mary Anne Piacentini
President and Chief Executive Officer
Check This Out!
Photo courtesy of Lexi Pickens
9 Natives: May Flower Feature
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) is a reseeding annual or short-lived perennial with bright yellow, dark-centered flowers that bloom from late spring to fall. It may bloom longer if provided afternoon shade. It grows 2-3 ft tall x 1-2 ft wide in full sun and in dry to moist, well-drained soil. It is a larva host for Bordered Patch (Chlosyne lacinia) and Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone) butterflies, and also provides nectar for other pollinators, and in addition to seeds for birds.

It can be propagated very easily from seed and then sown in spring or fall. The seeds require several days of moist soil and should germinate in 1-2 weeks. It is drought tolerant but enjoys an occasional watering. Consider this vibrant, native bloomer for your yard or garden.

Visit our 9 Natives page for more resources on growing native!
Native Trees and Spring Songbirds
Interested in attracting Warblers, Tanagers, Orioles, and Grosbeaks to your yard or know someone who might be?

Check out Tod Winston's write up in Audubon about how native trees provide prime foraging or nesting sites for migratory songbirds and may lead to exciting birdwatching observations!
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)
Photo courtesy of Greg Lavaty
Monarch Butterfly ( Danaus plexippus)
Photo courtesy of Greg Lavaty
Did you hear?
This year's estimate of the Monarch Butterfly population was the highest since 2006! According to Journey North , which tracks monarch migrations, the monarch overwintering population in Mexico (for 2018-2019) covered 6.05 hectares. That's an increase of 144% from last winter!

Northbound monarchs entered Texas in early to mid March - but even now you can still help future generations of monarchs sustain their migration. Click here to learn more about Monarch Waystations!
Upcoming Events On the Prairie
May Volunteer Opportunities

You can make a difference! First time volunteers, fill out a volunteer application here . We are working on a variety of different volunteer projects at Indiangrass Preserve and Shrike Prairie throughout the year. Join us during any of the times below.

Indiangrass Preserve
Tuesdays: 9 am - 3 pm
Fridays: 9 am - 1 pm
Saturdays: 9 am - 1 pm
Ann Hamilton Trail Walking Tour
Saturday, May 25th
10 - 11 am

All ages are welcome at the Indiangrass Preserve for a free walking tour on the Ann Hamilton Trail. Come learn about the history and value of the coastal prairie and KPC's role in preserving these vanishing lands.

Please bring water and meet the tour guide at the Field Office.   

Click  here  for directions.
This Month at KPC
Help us Grow Prairie Plants for KPC at Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse: 1st & 3rd Thursdays

The Native Seed Nursery at Katy Prairie Conservancy's field office in Waller has now finished renovation!

The Memorial Park Conservancy which has generously offered KPC and other nonprofit organizations use of their greenhouse still has space for us to grow. Volunteers can help pot and bump up plants that will be used for various Katy Prairie Conservancy spring projects and for the  Great Grow Out .
 
Thanks so much to all the volunteers who have been out helping us! Over 150 bluebonnets, 120 black-eyed Susan, tropical sage, and other plants that have been planted in pots and raised were used at the newly installed 9 Natives Showcase Garden at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The plants will also be used as door prizes at native plant talks by KPC volunteer Susie Marten, donated to pocket prairies in KPC's Prairie Builder Schools + Parks program, and planted at KPC's Indiangrass Preserve restoration project.

Thursday, May 2nd & 16th
9 am - noon

All are welcome, no experience necessary! Register here .

The Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse is located in Memorial Park on the south side of Memorial Drive at 6501 Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77007
Get your Preserve the Katy Prairie T-shirt!
New t-shirts still available here ! $20 each while supplies last.

PS. They're SUPER soft
Interested in volunteering for the North American Prairie Conference?

Contact Chris Amanda at  chrisk775@gmail.com
Katy Prairie Conservancy | katyprairie.org  | 713-523-6135 | info@katyprairie.org