Natural History of the Blackland Prairie

6:00 PM: Business Meeting, Program to follow.

In-Person: First United Methodist Church; 505 W. Marvin Ave., Waxahachie. Family Life Center – Gathering Room

Join ZOOM MEETING

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9837877010?pwd=ZmxpSzFQTnFIMzNvYVA1VXZZeUpCZz09

Meeting ID: 983 787 7010 Passcode: 706594

Brandon Belcher will be speaking on the natural history of the Blackland Prairie ecoregion, including conservation efforts protecting some of the last remaining areas of virgin prairie. The program will focus on the resiliency of prairies, some of the expected risk we face with a changing climate, and how we can each help sustain prairie space in a region with a population projected to double over the next 50 years.

Brandon Belcher has been focused on Blackland Prairie in North Texas for nearly a decade, serving as the North Texas Preserves Manager for The Nature Conservancy for five years. His focus is protection and maintenance of grasslands including remnant prairielands. Under his direction are numerous projects including management of 5 TNC nature preserves and more than a dozen conservation easements. . Protection and management of these rare and fragile ecosystems is accomplished through partnerships with private landowners, other non-governmental organizations, local cities and counties, as well as state and federal agencies. Brandon received a BS in Wildlife and Conservation Science and an MS in Biology – Plant Ecology from Texas A&M University – Commerce where he also serves as an adjunct instructor.