The annual Yantis Prairie Day is more than guided walks through a native grassland prairie. There is that – an opportunity to walk with an experienced conservationist and become better educated of the native plants and animals of Texas – but there is so much more.

This year, the sixth of the annual event, featured seven presentations on a wide range of subjects, all with the common thread of land use and conservation. 

Out back, behind the Yantis Prairie Classroom, in an old milking pavilion, the presentations commenced.

First up was Madison Washburn of the American Bird Conservancy. The North Texas native credits her hunting trips with her father for sparking her interest in the outdoors. Studies at Texas A&M and Oklahoma State led to her specialization in the study of grassland birds.  

She began with the cold facts of the decline of bird populations in North America. As if on cue, a hummingbird flew into the presentation, hovered by Washburn momentarily, then flew off.   

Out of the dozen types of birds (classified by their native ecosystem), the largest decline in population has been grassland prairie birds. Waterfowl is the only group which has experienced growth. The data was the result of a comprehensive study of bird populations over the past 50 years which was published in 2019 in the journal “Science.” 

Washburn walked through her presentation using common examples and thoughtful reflections on the value of birds. Some of that value stems from functioning as seed dispersers and pollinators, as well as for pest control and as inspiration for the arts.

One of the primary functions, Washburn argued, was as an indicator of ecosystem health. Scientists look for indicators demonstrated by one species which can help understand others. Birds, Washburn noted, are great indicators.   

After setting the stage by sharing thoughts about why birds are important, Washburn began describing the widely-adaptable hobby of birdwatching. From familiar permanent residents like the Greater Roadrunner to transient flyers like the Northern Harrier – known as the Grey Ghost – Washburn described the features and traits of birds which can be used to identify them. 

“It is a perfect hobby, but be careful, birding is highly addictive,” Washburn concluded. With that, the group headed off for a short birding walk in the grasslands.

A new group of listeners moved onto the pavilion. Senior biologist Tucker Slack, originally from Orange County, was readying his presentation ‘1-d-1 Wildlife Management for Tax Valuation.’ 

He began, “Fifty years ago the population of Texas was 75% rural and 25% urban, today that population has flipped.”

Slack then projected an anamorphic map which illustrated bulging population bubbles in all major cities, crowding out and overtaking the empty spaces between them.  

In 1995 the Texas Legislature created the 1-d-1 Wildlife Management Tax Valuation in order to “actively manage and sustain breeding, migrating or wintering populations of indigenous wild animals.” It has had a meaningful effect; today over 7 million acres are under this wildlife valuation.

 The advantages of the valuation are many: there is no mandatory production, it can be combined with an active ag valuation, no fences are required, it requires less labor than livestock, provides more flexibility in land use and places the landowner in control.

What is required in return is to draft a plan which serves three of seven wildlife conservation measures. Those measures range from erosion control and wildlife census-taking to predator control and providing supplemental water. 

Texas Parks and Wildlife provides plan outlines and a host of recommendations for landowners.

Slack offered, “My recommendation is to analyze your property, identify target species to support and select a number of measures to actively support those decisions.” 

He also recommended first understanding the soil composition. This would identify the plant life which would naturally flourish in the soil, which then largely determines what animals come to that specific habitat. In his words, “plants drive animals, and soil drives plants.”     

Slack is employed by Plateau Land and Wildlife Management, one of the private concerns which facilitates drafting wildlife conservation plans and assists in getting tax valuation for wildlife management. 

A large crowd moved in the pavilion for the third session of the series. Hopkins County extension agent Dr. Mario Villarino stepped forward. He explained that although his presentation is titled ‘New World Screwworm,’ he would first like to discuss the market future for East Texas livestock.

“The local cattle barn is a great reflection of the cattle market on a large scale,” Villarino stated. Drawing input from the crowd, he described a transaction at the Sulphur Springs Auction Barn, and then translated that to a major purchase at a state or national level.

Villarino next stepped through many of the factors which determine the health of the cattle market. 

Describing today’s market, he explained that the demand for beef continues to rise and shows no sign of slowing. He also noted that there are “more hooks than hooves” at the cattle processors. 

He summarized that while the market remains extremely variable, it is characterized by strong demand, improving quality, labor challenges, tight supply and increased competition. To Villarino’s credit, he explained each of those characteristics with a combination of common sense and local example. 

The discussion transitioned to the reopening of the market to Mexican cattle exports. It had been shut- own entirely early this summer due to the threat from the screwworm.

The screwworm, which renders particularly gruesome and potentially fatal wounds to cattle (and other mammals), continues its march north. Villarino explained that in order to combat the screwworm, the United States government operates a fly irradiation facility in Panama. 

Millions of flies are made sterile and released in an area of screw worm infestation. The flies mate, but do not reproduce. It is an effective tool in combatting screwworms.

His message to local producers was clear. If screwworms are discovered, it must be reported, so that all the powers of the nation might be brought to bear against the threat.

This summer, the Department of Agriculture announced construction of a fly distribution center to combat the New World Screwworm will be constructed at the deactivated Moore Air Force Base in Hidalgo County just northwest of Edinburg. The battle continues.

These three presentations are offered as samples. Other presentations included: ‘Wildscaping for Bats,’ ‘Pastures for Upland Game Birds,’ ‘Beneficial Critters’ and ‘Web Soil Survey.’

The amount of information for landowners at Prairie Day makes the day more than a celebration, more than a nature walk. It is a tremendous resource for area landowners, ranchers, farmers and hobbyists.