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WHY LEARN + TEACH ABOUT OUR PRAIRIE?The prairie gave us our livelihood, our icons, our music, our spirit of boundless optimism, and even helped us win our freedom at San Jacinto. Today our prairie is one of the most imperiled ecosystems on our planet. Join us on a journey of discovery as we learn about the prairie’s big story!

To ensure the success of our mission to protect the Katy Prairie forever, we must engage a new generation of conservationists. It is important for young people to learn about the prairie's history, its role in shaping our region, and its rich biodiversity. Equally important is an understanding of the immediate risk of losing the remaining prairie and the benefits of saving what’s left for the future.

Seeing the prairie first hand is by far the most effective way to share its striking beauty and to learn about its biological, cultural, and economic importance. Yet, with cuts in funding for school field trips, the

majority of students from the Greater Houston area don't have the opportunity to visit the prairie. What's more, there are

few prairie environments currently available for regular study/

visitation within the Houston area except for small “demonstration” prairie plots in a few parks.

Since few students are able to go to the prairie,

KPC has initiated a comprehensive, integrated

educational initiative to teach about prairies. This pioneering effort is called Prairie 101, and is targeted at students and educators from kindergarten through graduate school.

PRAIRIE 101 A Learning Initiative about our Heartland The Coastal Prairie

HOME ON THE RANGEAt one time the majority of the Greater Houston-Galveston area was blanketed by the prairie. The Katy Prairie was a wonderful diverse part of this grassland wilderness.

A PROJECT OF

Our prairies host over

species of animals! (including insects)

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PRAIRIE 101 C O M P O N E N T S

Coastal Prairie 101 Website Online educational resource designed for use

by educators teaching about the prairies.

On the Prairie EventsNumerous educational and service-oriented field trips for local schools, universities, and service organizations such as Yes College Prep,

Student Conservation Association, the Woods Project, Lone Star College, and Texas A&M University and Unplugged Adventures for the general public throughout the year.

Coastal Prairie 101 Teacher WorkshopsInteractive workshops designed to encourage local educators to incorporate

prairies into their lesson plans and provide teachers with tools and resources that make teaching about grasslands rigorous, engaging, and enjoyable.

Prairie 101 Education Kits

Comprehensive educational kits that contain a prairie curriculum, biological specimens, literature, videos, sound recordings, and other resources to empower teachers to bring the prairie to life in their classrooms. Boxes are generously funded by the Houston Zoo’s Conservation Department.

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DID YOU KNOW?The Katy Prairie Conservancy has protected nearly 18,000 acres of prairie lands since 1996!

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Prairie Builder SchoolsKPC staff-led effort to encourage and assist schools in designing, creating, and using pocket prairies on their

home campuses and infusing their curriculum with prairie lessons. Schools are asked to help other schools and groups in the network as well as KPC with their prairie projects (just like barn builders of an earlier era). This helps build community bonds between schools.

6Great Grow OutCitizen-conservation project that enlists volunteers to grow plants at home and at school: they provide plant material for school

pocket prairies and to help restoration efforts at KPC’s preserves.

Traveling Prairie ExhibitTraveling exhibit describing the history, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and restoration of the coastal prairie. The exhibit is on a one-

year tour to schools, garden shows, county fairs, and nature centers. The exhibit debuted at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston during the April 2011 Florescence Show.

State of the Prairie ConferenceYearly sponsorship of the State of the Prairie Conference;

an annual gathering of resource professionals, landowners, educators, and the general public that aims to increase awareness of the prairie and provide tools for prairie restoration and education.

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PRAIRIE 101 C O M P O N E N T S

Photo CreditsGreg Lavaty: Eastern BluebirdMIchael Morton: Prairie, volunteer, meadowlark

Katy Prairie Conservancy3015 Richmond Ave., Suite 230, Houston, TX 77025katyprairie.org | 713.523.6135

DID YOU KNOW?The Katy Prairie is a rich mosaic of prairie remnants, farms, ranches, wetland, wooded creeks, and human development.

WHERE DO I GET STARTED?Contact Jaime González, KPC Community Education Director at 281.660.6683 or at jgonzalez@katyprairie.org

PRAIRIEBUILDERSCHOOLS

prairie101.org