In a major win for Houston conservation, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy has permanently protected 220 acres of Three Oaks Farm just outside of Katy, the organization announced in a July 16 press release. This newly conserved property fills a critical piece in the heart of the Katy Prairie Preserve — a growing network of more than 19,500 acres of protected prairie, wetlands, and working lands west of Houston, the press release said.

The land provides essential habitat for many grassland and water birds, including mottled ducks, eastern meadowlarks, and bobwhite quail. The tract, which is located within the fifth-largest watershed in the Houston region, also plays a critical role in flood control. Prairies act as natural sponges – absorbing and slowly releasing floodwaters before they reach downtown Houston.

"The preservation of this property is an important milestone for the Katy Prairie Preserve,” said Mary Anne Piacentini, President and CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. “It strengthens the ecological integrity of the preserve by protecting critical habitat for wildlife and helping to safeguard natural floodplains. As the region continues to grow, conserving intact prairie landscapes like this one becomes essential to the long-term health and resilience of our region."

Recognizing that the protection of the property honored their family’s legacy on the Katy Prairie, the three siblings who own Three Oaks Farm partnered with the Conservancy to place a conservation easement on the land — a permanent legal agreement that prevents future development while allowing continued farming, cattle grazing, and wildlife management. This tool guarantees the land will remain protected forever, regardless of future ownership.

With Texas facing booming population growth and more than 95% of its land privately owned, voluntary conservation agreements with private landowners are critical to preserving the state’s natural heritage. With this addition, the Katy Prairie Preserve now protects more than 19,500 acres of prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the landowners for their generous bargain sale donation, which made the preservation of this land possible,” the press release said. “We are also deeply grateful for the critical support provided by two North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants through US Fish and Wildlife, as well as funding from the WoodNext Foundation (a component fund administered by Greater Houston Community Foundation), the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund. Together, these partners made this project possible. We are deeply grateful for their support.”

About the Coastal Prairie Conservancy

The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is an accredited nonprofit land trust working to sustain resilient Texas by conserving coastal prairie, wetlands, farms, and ranches that benefit people and wildlife forever. These lands play an important role in flood control, clean air and water, outdoor recreation, and wildlife habitat. To learn more about the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s conservation efforts, visit www.coastalprairieconservancy.org .