Bay Area Edition | February 2023

ENVIRONMENT Dick Benoit Prairie Preserve recently certied as a Texas Native Prairie

BY SAAB SAHI

The 44.39-acre preserve is owned by the city of League City and ocially became an Open Space and Wildlife Preserve in 2007. The city owns and maintains the property, though the Galveston Bay Area Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists helps with special projects like an invasive plant removal workday, Orsag said. “Invasive species are always around and continuously trying to take over,” he said. “It’s a very dicult and constant battle.” Upkeep consists of annual mowing during the winter months of January or February, depending on weather, Orsag said. Heavy rainfall shifted the city away from mowing in January. The preserve is a coastal prairie, which is an ecosystem that once covered 6.5 million acres of the Texas Gulf Coast, according to estimates by the University of Houston. Yet, only less than 1% of those original coastal prairies still exist.

Dick Benoit Prairie Preserve, which is located on the east side of League City, was certied as a Texas Native Prairie by the Native Prairies Associa- tion of Texas at the end of December, which means it could act as a seed source for prairie restoration eorts. Over 200 plant species were iden- tied within the prairie by both the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Galveston Bay Area Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, accord- ing to Park Coordinator John Orsag. “In order to become a certied/ registered Native Texas Prairie, the land needs to have a diverse and large number of native plant species,” Orsag said. To obtain certication, an applica- tion must be submitted and reviewed by a board of experts, after which the landowner must continue to maintain the land and constantly remove invasive species, Orsag said.

The Dick Benoit Prairie Preserve is a 44.39-acre preserve. It is owned by League City and ocially became an Open Space and Wildlife Preserve in 2007.

COURTESY CITY OF LEAGUE CITY

DICK BENOIT PRAIRIE PRESERVE The preserve is not currently open to the public.

“There are several benets of coastal prairies to the local ecosys- tem,” Orsag said. “[Benets] include reduced ooding risks in urban water- sheds, erosion control, and providing wildlife and pollinator habitat.” The preserve is located on the corner of League City Parkway and Marbella Parkway but is not currently open to the public, Orsag said. “We are so glad that League City is preserving it and the local Master Naturalist volunteer groups are helping care for it,” said Kirsti Harm, executive director of the Native Prairies Association of Texas.

44.39 acre preserve.

200+ plant species.

Designated as Open Space and Wildlife Preserve in 2007. 1% of original Texas coastal prairie ecosystem remaining.

SOURCE: LEAGUE CITYUNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COMMUNITY IMPACT

Caring for every heart disease

UTMB Health has 130+ years of expertise caring for hearts of all ages.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, but it can often be prevented or successfully managed by making healthy choices and receiving appropriate health care. UTMB Health’s innovative care includes the latest treatment options and advanced procedures focused on maintaining and improving Heart Health for communities across our region.

Call our 24/7 Access Services team at (800) 917-8906 , visit our website at utmbhealth.com/heart or scan the QR code to find a provider and schedule your next appointment.

knows Heart Health

The University of Texas Medical Branch is in-network for most major insurance plans.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM