Highlighted Projects

       In the Summer of 2021, Dennis Ranch entered a WNBRI HEP Project designed to open-up roughly 20-acres that were overgrown due to mis- or non-management over the last 20+ years. This project, in a pasture on the NW corner of the property adjacent to a perennial creek, consisted of mechanical methods (skid-steer/mulch and bulldozer/grubbing) to clear thick under and mid-story woody species (plum, dogwood, sumac, honey locust, & bumelia) while leaving hardwood canopy trees present (post-oak, pecan, and elm). Thus, creating a savannah-grassland type landscape. Areas mechanically treated were then seeded with a native seed mix (of at least 8 grasses and 4 forbs) the following winter (Dec 2021). Areas surrounding mechanical work were already open and contained relic native prairie (yellow indiangrass, little bluestem, sideoats grama, and a diverse array of forbs). Thus, with seeding and the adjacent prairie (and a likely intact seed bank over treated areas) the site should recover to native grasses and forbs moving forward with good management practices such as grazing and prescribed fire. During the summer of 2022, some brush was selectively treated with triclopyr (trade name Remedy) to set-back woody re-growth following mechanical brush work. Currently (Fall-2023), woody re-growth has taken off with thick, knee to waist-high stands of plum, sumac, honey locust, and rough-leaf dogwood. Plans are to burn the entire pasture this Winter (Jan-Mar 2023) and follow up with herbicide applications and selective grubbing where needed.

       Dennis Ranch is proud to be a WNBRI member and thankful for the assistance from partnership efforts to manage grassland habitat. In conjunction with this HEP project, Dennis Ranch has also completed Grassland Restoration Incentive Program projects through the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture including practices from selective herbicide use, prescribed fire, cross-fencing, and deferred grazing to enhance grassland habitat.