OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
By PATTI VINSON
Protecting our prairie land Native Plants & Prairies Day is May 7
I
f you’ve walked or biked or set up an easel near the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake, you’ve seen it: history. No, it’s not the beautiful, old, art deco building, but the land nearby — now THAT is our heritage. It’s the rare remnant of prairie — less than 1% remain in North America — and now’s the chance to learn more about it at Native Plants & Prairies Day May 7. Pr e s e n t e d b y N a t i v e Pr a i r i e s Association of Texas and North Texas Master Naturalists, this all-ages event gives everyone the opportunity to learn why prairies are worth conserving, and about local birds and other critters who call the prairie home. Expect guided walks, expert presentations, booths from local organizations and activities for kids. And you might even be inspired to get involved. Chances are, you’ve noticed the tall grass, maybe the wildflowers in the field close to the Bath House. Just a field, right? Not by a long shot. Here’s a little prairie primer. “Native”: That’s the key word. It describes both the land and the plants upon it. Think coneflower, not orchids; little bluestem grass, not palm trees. These drought-tolerant, no-fuss, nopampering plants thrive quite well on their own, thank you very much, and were growing naturally here, possibly going back thousands of years, when European settlers first set foot in these parts. Brenda Catlett, a resident of the
38 lakewood.advocatemag.com MAY 2022
From left: Brenda Catlett, Janet Smith and Ann Sansone. Photography by Shelby Tauber.
Peninsula neighborhood near the lake and one of the event’s organizers, offers this definition: “Prairies are ecosystems of open spaces where tall grasses, flowers and other seed-bearing plants flourish.” She adds that prairies can have more biodiversity than a rainforest and have more than 100 plant species
within five acres. Though it sounds like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, prairie plants are considered “upside down forests.” The roots of some prairie grasses can extend as far as 15 feet deep and reduce erosion while increasing water filtration. They are more resistant to
