TLC’s Marysee Prairie in Liberty county is one of the few surviving remnants of the 20 million acres of tallgrass prairie that once existed in Texas. Tallgrass prairies contain incredibly diverse ecosystems, with hundreds of different types of flowering plants and grasses. Texas now contains less than 1% of its original tallgrass prairie making it one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America, and making Marysee Prairie one of the highlights of TLC’s preserves!
Marysee Prairie has been protected through the efforts of TLC and local volunteers, but remnant prairies don’t just need protection—they need management! The prairie is threatened by invasive species like persimmon and non-native species like Chinaberry. If left unchecked, these species can choke out native grasses that create the incredible diversity found on the prairie. Marysee Prairie has a dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to battle these woody invaders, but the best practice we can use is . . . Fire!
Woody invaders at Marysee Prairie need a prescribed burn to fight them back, and weather conditions this year look to make it a good year to do that!
We need your help to make this burn happen! We have a $2,500 match to burn the prairie, but we need a total of $5,000 to accomplish it. Can you help us put fire on the ground and combat the woody invaders that threaten the diversity of Marysee Prairie?
Please donate through the form on this page or through our Facebook fundraiser — live through Friday, February 21st.
Everyone who donates to this effort will be invited to come and observe! Due to the nature of prescribed burning and weather, we cannot guarantee that the burn will happen this spring. If we are unable to conduct the burn this March, we will try again in the winter. Donors will be notified with as much advance notice as we can provide.