McKinney | July 2022

A lasting impression Scientists will continue to monitor how wildlife in the area respond to the restoration project. One method of monitoring is called a “bio blitz,” which consists of a team of scientists and volunteers walking an area and noting the life, which include fungi and plants in addition to animals. In a March 2021 bio blitz, about 100 species were documented, according to data from Resource Environmental Solutions and Texas Parks & Wildlife. Kieschnick said they plan to do more bio blitzes in the future. Kieschnick works with ecosystems across the metroplex, spanning from Frisco to Benbrook to Midlothian. Sim- ilar restoration efforts are happening throughout DFW, but he said all of them are on a “much smaller scale” than the Bois d’Arc project. One, called the Twelve Hills Nature Center, transformed a 20-acre apart- ment complex in Oak Cliff, Dallas, to native blackland prairie. “It’s so cool that there are organiza- tions [and] people that are willing to devote time and energy and resources into restoring these habitats,” Kieschnick said. “Wildlife benefits tremendously from our restoration activities.” While many projects in North Texas required a team to complete, Kieschnick said that anyone can make a difference when it comes to supporting nature, even if it means planting one plant. “[Plants] clean up the air, they clean up the water, they provide habitat, they provide food, they provide all of this stuff for us,” Kieschnick said. “It’s a good thing for everybody if we start appreci- ating plants.” Additional reporting by William C. Wadsack

downstream, and it ends up in the ocean eventually,” Hall said. “It has pretty dra- matic consequences for the water qual- ity itself. Streams aren’t supposed to carry as much nutrients and sediments as we see them doing now.” Wildlife resurgence In addition to protecting water sources, trees have another vital role: supporting wildlife. “Every ecosystem starts with plants,” Kieschnick said. “You have to have a foundation of plants for all of the other critters, for all of the birds, all of the bugs [and] all of the mammals.” When the restoration area served as a cattle ranch, there were drainage ditches on-site to prevent flooding. Hall said as soon as the team plugged the ditches, nature responded in a positive way. “Walking through creeks in the spring, it’s everything you can do to not step on frogs,” Hall said. “The abundance of life out there is incredible. It doesn’t do jus- tice to describe it with words.” Birds of prey, such as hawks, owls and eagles, are what Hall calls “key indica- tors” of an ecosystem doing well. These animals are predators, so their presence means everything below them on the food chain is thriving. Bald eagles have already begun reproducing on the site, Hall said. Burrowing owls are also prev- alent, which marks the farthest east inland sighting of the bird in the country, Hall said. Ecologists use the presence of beavers and insect larvae to observe water qual- ity, which is also doing well on-site, Hall said. He added that reptiles have come back in full swing. To date, more than 700 species have been documented at the site, per data from Resource Environmental Solu- tions and Texas Parks & Wildlife. “Everything that you look at, if you just sort of think down the food chain as to how it’s living, everything can serve as a testament to the success,” Hall said.

Ecologists at Riverby Ranch have documented a resurgence of birds since the restoration project started. Here are some key sightings. FULL FLIGHT

BURROWING OWLS

GRASSHOPPER SPARROWS

HARRIERS

KESTRELS

NORTHERN BOBWHITE QUAILS

RED TAIL HAWKS

TURKEY VULTURES

UPLAND SANDPIPERS

For more information, visit communityimpact.com .

PHOTOS COURTESY ADOBE STOCK

SOURCE: RESOURCE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

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