Goins maintains the grasslands by burning and states that he alternates burning in different sections to prevent destroying the eggs or chrysalides of the butterfly and other beneficial insects. Wildlife need refuge, so different fields are left fallow some years. He is aware of habitat needs for other wildlife that he lures to the property. In addition to flowers, butterflies need puddles with wet sand or mud on which to perch and drink because they cannot drink from open water. He mows a space on the edge of farm ponds to keep them muddy for butterflies.
Native grasses offer a great benefit to livestock.
The nutrient value is higher, the cost for fertilizer or pest control is minimal, and the hay production is greater. TWRA is promoting the return of native grasslands through the Upland Game Bird Habitat Program. They help provide seeds or seedlings and offer a cost share incentive to the private landowner. Many public lands, such as wildlife management areas, are being converted. At this time, the seed sources for these plantings are coming from the northern and Midwestern states.