Where once there had been millions of prairie chickens, a few hundred today struggle to survive 35 miles northwest of here near Eagle Lake. The restored habitat is one of the few examples of prairie remaining along the Gulf Coast. The dominant grasses here are little bluestem, Indian grass, and brownseed paspalum. They grow in dense bunches or tussocks and, in flower, should stand at least six feet tall. In swales where water collects, prairie wildflowers may grow better than the grasses.
Prairie preservation requires careful management.