Yantis celebrated its seventh annual Prairie Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, with a free community event held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northeast Texas Prairie Community Classroom, 124 W. Oak St. The event was sponsored by the Texas Grazing Land Coalition.
Transportation from parking at Yantis Elementary School was provided by Lady Limo of Paris. Approximately 172 guests from Yantis and surrounding communities attended the event.
The day began with an early morning bird walk at 8 a.m., followed by a live raptor program later in the morning.
The Yantis Volunteer Fire Department grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and provided cold drinks in exchange for donations. Local ranchers provided the meat for the event.
Visitors had an opportunity to meet representatives from a variety of local organizations and businesses, including Detroit Processing, Bob Wells Nursery at Sorrell Farms of Mineola, the Wood County Master Gardeners and Texas Master Naturalists, along with many others.
Educational presentations throughout the day featured Madison Washburn of American Bird Conservancy; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department representatives Shelby Rodriguez-Edwards and Jose Salmeron; Linda Timmons of the Native Plant Society of Texas-Lakes & Pines Chapter; Brooke Morris of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Mario Villarino-Gutierrez of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Carter Johnson of Dogwood & Co.; Shane Davis of Plateau Land & Wildlife Management; and Ann Reynolds of the East Texas Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists.
Topics included beginner birding, small mammals, native prairie restoration, NRCS assistance programs, managing wildlife on smaller acreages and regenerative supply chains.
Attendees could also participate in several guided prairie walks, including the Early Morning Bird Walk, Producer-Focused Prairie Walk, Wildlife-Focused Prairie Walk and Native Prairie/Conservation Walk. The walks were led by conservation professionals and naturalists from American Bird Conservancy, Ebel Grasslands, TPWD, USDA NRCS, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management and the Native Prairies Association of Texas.
Children had plenty of opportunities to explore and learn in the Kids’ Discovery Zone. Activities included meeting Mr. Bubbles, the painting pony; a nature scavenger hunt provided by the Tyler Audubon Society; a children’s Master Naturalist table; and an opportunity to build birdhouses with Bear Bockoras of the Prairie Team.
Guests also received free tickets for various Prairie Prize drawings held throughout the event. The Grand Prairie Prize, a Lifetime kayak, was won by Connor Brach.
The annual event continues to provide area residents with an opportunity to learn about the importance of native prairies, wildlife conservation, land stewardship and the natural resources of Northeast Texas while bringing the community together for a day of education and family activities.