The Blackland Prairie Restoration Crew at St. Mark’s School in Dallas is on a mission to save the last large prairie in the county from being destroyed for development. This group of high school boys is dedicated to rescuing rare plants from bulldozers, transferring them to restoration sites, and preserving the natural ecosystem of the area.
Coneflower Crest, as they call it, is a nearly 300-acre stretch of undeveloped land north of I-20 that is home to a variety of native plants and flowers. The boys fear that heavy machinery will soon crush the majority of its flowers to make way for a sustainable development project that includes hundreds of homes and businesses. While the city sees this as revitalizing a neglected corner of Dallas, the boys understand the cost of trading an ecosystem that naturally mitigates the effects of climate change for more impervious sprawl that exacerbates them.
The Blackland prairie was once a vast expanse of 12 million acres in Texas, rich in limestone geology that supported over 300 species of native grasses and forbes. However, since European colonization, agriculture and urban development have destroyed 99.9 percent of the prairie. Last year, a solar farm claimed the state’s largest remnant, and in Dallas County alone, over 320 acres have been lost to development in the past five years.
The loss of prairies has serious consequences for the environment. Concrete increases flooding, pollution, aquifer depletion, urban heat island effects, and greenhouse gas emissions. Prairies naturally alleviate these issues by slowing rainfall, filtering excess nutrients, cooling cities, and sequestering carbon. Biodiversity loss and climate change are inherently linked, and preserving prairies is crucial for a sustainable future.
The Blackland Prairie Restoration Crew understands the importance of their work and is dedicated to protecting Coneflower Crest and other natural areas from destruction. Their efforts may be unauthorized, but they are making a tangible difference in preserving the last remaining prairies in the region. As climate anxiety continues to rise, their work provides a sense of purpose and a way to actively contribute to conservation efforts. ” data-credit=”Laura Mallonee / Grist” srcset=”https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-day-plant-sale-monarch.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-day-plant-sale-monarch.jpeg?resize=1200%2C900&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-day-plant-sale-monarch.jpeg?resize=330%2C248&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-day-plant-sale-monarch.jpeg?resize=768%2C576&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-day-plant-sale-monarch.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1152&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-day-plant-sale-monarch.jpeg?resize=150%2C113&quality=75&strip=all 150w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” height=”1200″ width=”1600″ loading=”lazy” decoding=”async”>
In response, a coalition formed to support native plant conservation. The Texas Conservation Alliance, which hosted the event where Johnson sold seedlings, started in the 1980s as the Dallas chapter of the Texas Native Plant Society. It’s now a network of 40-plus organizations and individuals working to protect the state’s biodiversity. “It’s a Herculean effort,” said TCA executive director Tania Homayoun. “We’re losing so much, and we don’t even know what we’re losing.”
But hope springs eternal. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which manages many of the state’s most significant natural areas, recently hired a botanist, Jessica Fowler, to document and conserve rare plants. Over the last decade, she’s inventoried four sites, discovering plants previously thought to be extirpated, like the Texas golden gladecress, which was last collected in 1929.
“Everything we do for conservation is also mitigating the effects of climate change,” Fowler said. “A lot of these plants are endemic to a particular habitat, and if that habitat is destroyed, they have nowhere to go. They’re not going to be able to adapt to a new environment.”
The best way to help, she said, is to save as many habitats as possible. “We can’t count on a few individuals to save us,” she added. “We all have to do our part.”
Sources:
– https://grist.org/climate/on-the-front-lines-of-texas-prairie-conservation-a-botanist-fights-to-save-plants-and-mitigate-climate-change/
– https://www.statista.com/chart/30045/number-of-species-assessed-on-red-list/#:~:text=40%20percent%20of%20assessed%20plant,441%20threatened%20%2D%20or%2057%20percent.
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C-tWwWLA98&ab_channel=FortWorthBotanicGarden The Texas Conservation Alliance annually cultivates thousands of seedlings at its Native Plant Propagation Center, located at the Dallas Zoo. These seedlings play a crucial role in preserving and restoring native plant species in the region, many of which are under threat due to urban development and habitat loss.
The organization’s efforts are especially important for preserving the delicate balance of local ecosystems. Invertebrates that rely on specific host plants for food and habitat are at risk when these plants are lost. This, in turn, affects higher trophic levels, such as birds that feed on caterpillars and bees that pollinate flowers, including important crops like Fredericksburg peaches.
Conservationists focus on collecting seeds of endangered plants, but sometimes these seeds are not readily available on development sites. Some plant species are not well understood, making it challenging to germinate their seeds. Additionally, some plants, like compass plants, can take years to bloom. By cultivating and rescuing individual plants, conservationists can help prevent certain species from facing “silent extinction” and maintain the interconnectedness of natural ecosystems.
One such success story involves the discovery and rescue of the hall’s prairie clover, a globally imperiled plant that grows exclusively on chalky, south-facing slopes on limestone prairies. With less than 1,200 known individuals at the time, the discovery of over a hundred plants sparked a rescue effort led by the Texas Conservation Alliance and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
Volunteers, led by experienced botanists, worked tirelessly to dig up and rescue the endangered plants before they could be destroyed by development. The rescued plants were then carefully nurtured in a greenhouse to ensure their survival. This collaborative effort not only saved a significant number of hall’s prairie clover plants but also highlighted the importance of individual plant rescues in preserving rare and endangered species.
Despite challenges and time constraints, the success of this rescue mission serves as a beacon of hope for the conservation of native plant species in Texas. By working together and taking proactive measures to protect and restore native plants, organizations like the Texas Conservation Alliance are making a tangible difference in safeguarding the biodiversity of the region’s ecosystems. A group of dedicated activists has been working tirelessly to relocate thousands of plants from Coneflower Crest and other prairie patches to a bike path located 30 minutes north. Despite concerns about trespassing, they have forged ahead, determined to save as many plants as possible from destruction.
One of the activists, Munshi, shared that they have never been asked to leave by anyone, including the police. In fact, when mistaken for burying a body at another prairie site, the police quickly realized their mission and left without issue. The urgency of their work stems from the imminent threat of developers who are poised to destroy the prairies without regard for the unique plant species that call them home.
Johnson, another activist, expressed concerns about seeking permission from landowners, fearing it could lead to the rapid destruction of the plants. In Texas, plants deemed threatened or endangered are not protected by law, making it even more crucial to act swiftly. While some in the native plant community advocate for obtaining permission as a way to build trust with landowners, others, like the Central Texas Plant Rescuers, prioritize saving the plants above all else.
Developer involvement could provide a solution to the ethical dilemma of plant rescues, ensuring that plants are not inadvertently removed from areas outside of construction boundaries. This collaboration could also enhance the value of rescued plants for research and conservation efforts. However, convincing developers to cooperate is no easy task, with many failing to respond to outreach efforts.
Ashley Landry, who leads the Native Plant Rescue Project in Williamson County, has successfully relocated plants from the “crown jewel” of central Texas prairies, MoKan. Her team’s innovative methods, including using skid steers to move large sections of prairie, offer hope for the survival of these precious plants.
For the activists, the sense of place and connection to the land that they have found through their work is invaluable. Munshi, now studying plant science at Cornell University, vividly recalls the moment he discovered Coneflower Crest and the abundance of echinacea that signaled its untouched history. Despite the challenges and losses they face, the activists remain committed to preserving what remains of Texas’s prairie landscapes.
As they navigate the complexities of plant rescues and land preservation, these activists are driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect the natural world from irreversible harm. Their efforts may seem small in the face of rapid development, but they understand the importance of their work in safeguarding the biodiversity and beauty of Texas’s prairies for future generations. As I walk along the bike path at Coneflower Crest, it feels like I am surrounded by the absence of something. The bulldozers have long moved on to their next job, leaving behind a barren landscape. But amidst the destruction, there is still hope. Hundreds of rare plants, the pride of Coneflower Crest, continue to thrive.
Even before the last daleas were transplanted by the boys, a few uprooted plants bloomed defiantly, as they had done for centuries. These resilient flowers stand tall, swaying in the breeze, a testament to nature’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity.
The sight of these blooming daleas is a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment. Despite the changes wrought by human development, these plants continue to thrive, offering a beacon of hope for the future.
As I walk knee-deep in the absence left by the bulldozers, I am reminded of the fragility of our natural world. But I am also reminded of its resilience. The daleas at Coneflower Crest are a living testament to the power of nature to endure, no matter what challenges it may face.
Long after the bulldozers have moved on, the rare plants at Coneflower Crest will continue to bloom, a reminder of the beauty and strength of the natural world. It is up to us to ensure that they are protected and preserved for generations to come. The world of technology is constantly evolving, and with it comes new innovations that are changing the way we live, work, and communicate. From artificial intelligence to virtual reality, these advancements are reshaping our world in ways we never thought possible.
One such innovation that has been gaining traction in recent years is blockchain technology. Originally created as the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain has since grown to be used in a variety of industries beyond finance.
At its core, blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger that records transactions across a network of computers. Each transaction is verified by a network of nodes, making it secure and tamper-proof. This transparency and security have made blockchain an attractive solution for industries looking to streamline processes and increase trust among stakeholders.
One industry that has seen significant benefits from blockchain technology is supply chain management. Traditionally, supply chains are complex networks of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, making it difficult to track the movement of goods from origin to destination. With blockchain, every step of the supply chain can be recorded and verified in real-time, providing stakeholders with visibility and transparency into the entire process.
Another industry that is leveraging blockchain technology is healthcare. With sensitive patient data being shared among various healthcare providers, ensuring the security and privacy of this information is crucial. Blockchain offers a solution by encrypting and decentralizing patient data, making it more secure and less susceptible to hacking or data breaches.
Blockchain technology is also being used in the real estate industry to streamline property transactions. By recording property ownership and transaction history on a blockchain, buyers and sellers can have confidence in the legitimacy of the property and its ownership.
Overall, blockchain technology is revolutionizing industries by providing transparency, security, and efficiency in ways that were not possible before. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative use cases and applications that will transform the way we do business and interact with the world around us.
