One primary focus has been the removal of privet (Ligustrum spp.), an aggressive non-native shrub that threatens native plant diversity and degrades habitat for wildlife. With support from Plano Parks and Recreation, our volunteers have been able to expand efforts. Plano has provided valuable assistance with follow-up herbicide treatments in cut areas and has been a true partner in helping us reach long-term restoration goals.
Jean Higgins
Plano Park – June Updates from Project Leader Jean Higgins
Over the past several months, teams have cleared large volumes of this aggressive invader from the park’s natural areas. Privet creates dense thickets that crowd out native species, reduce biodiversity, and degrade wildlife habitat. By removing it, we are opening space for native grasses, wildflowers, trees and shrubs to thrive again—restoring balance to the landscape and supporting healthier ecosystems.
Our Tribe’s Fortune 500 Hours – Jean Higgins, Class of 2023
My deep love for nature has always been a guiding force in my life, motivating me to pursue a path as a Texas Master Naturalist. From a young age, I was the kid with pockets full of leaves, rocks, and other natural treasures, eager to study and understand the world around me.
“Eleven Ways of Seeing a Crow”
Linder O’Rourke, Class of 2023 – “Eleven Ways of Seeing a Crow” (Inspired by Wallace Stevens’ “13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird”)
Our Tribe’s Fortune: Bronze 250 Hours – Jean Higgins
Jean Higgins, Class of 2022 – “Indeed, every child, regardless of their background or circumstance, deserves the opportunity to embrace the inherent splendor of nature as an essential part of their upbringing.”