Coastal Prairie Conservancy Permanently Protects 220 Acres, Strengthening Houston’s Flood Resilience and Wildlife Habitat
In a significant conservation victory for Greater Houston, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy has permanently protected 220 acres of Three Oaks Farm just outside of Katy, Texas. The newly conserved tract strengthens flood resilience for the region and secures vital habitat for native wildlife as part of the broader Katy Prairie Preserve, which now spans over 19,500 acres of protected prairie, wetlands, farms, and ranchland west of Houston.
Located within the Buffalo Bayou watershed—Houston’s fifth-largest—the land provides essential ecological services at a time when the region faces increasing development pressure and frequent flooding. Grassland and wetland prairies, like those at Three Oaks Farm, act as natural flood mitigation systems. By absorbing and gradually releasing rainwater, these ecosystems can help prevent downstream flooding in neighborhoods and business corridors closer to the city’s core.
“The preservation of this property is an important milestone for the Katy Prairie Preserve,” said Mary Anne Piacentini, President and CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. “It strengthens the ecological integrity of the preserve by protecting critical habitat for wildlife and helping to safeguard natural floodplains. As the region continues to grow, conserving intact prairie landscapes like this one becomes essential to the long-term health and resilience of our region."
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Three Oaks Farm is home to diverse grassland and wetland wildlife species, including eastern meadowlarks, mottled ducks, bobwhite quail, and a variety of migratory waterbirds that depend on intact coastal prairie ecosystems. By permanently protecting the land through a conservation easement, the Conservancy and the landowners ensure that the property will remain a working landscape — with farming, grazing, and wildlife management still permitted — while shielding it from future development.
This legal agreement honors the vision and legacy of the three siblings who own Three Oaks Farm, each of whom chose to collaborate with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy to protect the family land for future generations. The conservation easement guarantees that the property will remain preserved in perpetuity, no matter how ownership may change.
Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Houston, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit, nationally accredited land trust dedicated to conserving coastal prairies, wetlands, and working lands that benefit both people and wildlife. With over three decades of work in the region, the Conservancy plays a vital role in protecting natural floodplains, sustaining biodiversity, and providing accessible green space for surrounding communities.
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The Three Oaks Farm preservation project was made possible through a generous bargain sale donation from the landowners and critical funding support from a broad coalition of partners. Two North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helped lead the effort, along with funding from the WoodNext Foundation (through the Greater Houston Community Foundation), the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, and Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund.
With more than 95% of Texas land held in private ownership and Houston continuing to expand, voluntary conservation partnerships like this one are increasingly vital for balancing growth with long-term environmental resilience. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy continues to work with landowners, public agencies, and philanthropic partners to ensure that key habitats and floodplain corridors remain intact across the Gulf Coast.
For more information on the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s efforts to protect Texas’ natural heritage and safeguard Houston’s future through land conservation, visit coastalprairieconservancy.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
