By CARLEY TUCKER
news@wood.cm
The seventh annual Prairie Day will bring wildlife, conservation, agriculture and family activities to Yantis Saturday, Sept. 26.
The free event will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Northeast Texas Prairie Community Classroom, 124 W. Oak St. An early morning bird walk begins at 8 a.m.
Organizer and property owner Julie Mattox said Prairie Day grew out of her involvement in tallgrass prairie restoration with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
“It is about bringing many different agencies together, including producers,” Mattox said.
She said the event is designed to get people interested in the outdoors, prairie restoration and rotational grazing while also showing visitors what the East Texas landscape once looked like and what can be restored.
Last year’s event drew about 175 people.
Texas Parks and Wildlife will be among several organizations represented at Prairie Day, along with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, American Bird Conservancy, Texas Grazing Land Coalition, Native Prairies Association of Texas, Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners.
Representatives will offer presentations and guided walks throughout the day.
Topics include beginner birding, upland birds, small mammals, backyard prairies, NRCS assistance programs, parasites, regenerative agriculture and managing smaller properties for wildlife. The final presentation of the day will focus on iNaturalist.
Several guided prairie walks are also planned. Following the early bird walk, visitors can take part in a producer-focused prairie walk, wildlife-focused prairie walk and a native prairie and conservation walk. Representatives from several of the participating organizations will lead the walks.
A live raptor program will be held from 10 a.m.-noon. Exhibits and booths will cover wildlife, soil health, conservation and other topics, and an NRCS soil tunnel will also be available.
Children will have their own discovery area, including an appearance by Mr. Bubbles, the painting pony, and his sidekick Jack.
“We have a big kids area. It’s really a good event,” Mattox said.
Sorelle Farms will also have plants available for purchase.
The Yantis Volunteer Fire Department will grill hamburgers and hot dogs, with lunch available by donation to benefit the department. Mattox said meat for the meal was donated by a local producer.
Parking will be at Yantis Elementary School rather than at the Prairie Community Classroom. A free shuttle will transport visitors between the school and the event.
Admission is free and the event is open to the public.