TMN GLC Volunteer Project – Gama Grass Rescue
February 3 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Day 1 – RESCUE, Weimar, TX
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 10-11:30am,
Registration required: https://texasprairie.org/
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Map and updates for the Weimar event provided after registration.
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Containers provided, but feel free to bring additional containers.
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Rescued grasses will be collected by team leader for transport to Elder Prairie Preserve for planting the next day.
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Bring a shovel, gloves, a large container, and water. Dress for tall prairie grass and weather, including your organizational gear (examples: cap or shirt from NPAT, TMN, etc).
These related volunteer service projects have been approved to earn TMN volunteer service hours. The Eastern gamagrass rescue projects are organized and sponsored by the Fayette Prairie Chapter of Native Prairies of Texas (NPAT) and the Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC). Gama grass will be dug on one day in Weimar, then transported by NPAT to the planting site at CPC’s Elder Prairie Preserve the next day.
>>Record volunteer service hours for one or both days (with travel time) in VMS – Native Prairie Restoration with Fayette Prairie Chapter of NPAT <<
MORE @ GAMAGRASS
Eastern gamagrass is an amazing grass. A few interesting facts:
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Impressive native range: Eastern two-thirds of the U.S., extending west to Kansas and Nebraska, south to Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma, and into Mexico and the Caribbean. Parts of South America, including Brazil and Paraguay.
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It is successful across a wide range of ecoregions, beyond typical prairies. Its deep roots enable it to survive drought. Gamagrass thrives in rocky glades, moist bottomlands, wet prairies, along watercourses, riverbanks, and even salt marsh borders where most prairie grasses struggle.
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Its deep roots improve soil’s water retention and reduces compaction, enhancing overall soil structure.
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It is a superb plant for erosion prevention and restoration of eroded areas such as river and stream banks and pond dams.
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The grass provides valuable cover and seeds for ground-nesting birds (like quail) and game birds. And, if you graze cattle, you will find that gamagrass is a favorite. Some say it is cattle ice cream because they will eat the gama first!