Habitat Restoration
Prairie Restorations
We are dedicated to restoring past grasslands to the highly diversified native prairies they once were. Farmers, ranchers, landowners and others are converting their historical grasslands back to natural prairies. Prairies once comprised the largest biome in North America and the diversity of life found there may harbor new fuels, foods, medicines and other products as yet undiscovered. We have the latest training and techniques to achieve a successful restoration project. In order to obtain the best native genetic stock for your location we maintain our own nursery of native plants. We will provide plant stock and seeds that originated from species within a very close geographic range of your restoration project. We are constantly experimenting with plants and seed to find the best restoration methods. We can monitor and maintain prairie restoration projects to ensure their survival and success. We practice ecologically sound techniques with proven success in controlling invasive species. We look foward to working with you on your restoration project.
Wetland Restorations
We can develop and carry out plans for restoration, creation or enhancement of all categories of wetlands including. Wetlands are not only important natural communities, they are significant to our economy and health. Wetlands are essential for healthy fisheries, for bird and wildlife habitat, for nursery grounds for most aquatic species for reservoirs of high biodiversity and nutrient productivity. For humans, wetlands provide erosion control, flood reduction, water filter sand recreation. Wetlands are highly complex ecosystems that require intimate knowledge of the integral parts for a successful restoration. We have scientists with backgrounds in all areas of water resource and water quality issues. We have our own line of native wetland plants for restoration projects. Contact us for a successful wetland project.
Riparian Restorations
BEC can put together a water specialist team to address the special problems of riparian and stream corridor restoration. Because baseline studies are difficult to achieve for a badly degraded riparian zone we strive to find existing riparian areas near the site of a restoration and we can develope a composite baseline from those corridors that most represent the natural composition of the project site. Riparian zones are also a challenge because the underlying causes of degradation must be addressed in a successful plan and we devote great effort to finding and solving the sources of the problem. We have spent a great deal of time in collecting and propagating plants representative of the riparian zones of Texas and the southwest so that we can provide the best plants possible for a restoration project. Wetland and riparian restorations, creations and enhancements are often required to meet various environmental laws.
Forest Restorations
Restoring forests to a natural condition can bring many benefits to all involved. Some benefits of forest restoration include preservation of watersheds, improvement of water quality, soil stabilization, wildlife habitat, products for food and medicine, materials for building and recreation areas. Some of the techniques BEC may employ in a forest restoration project are re-introduction of native species, a deactivation plan to minimize erosion from surface water, a soil rehabilitation plan to bring the soil back to former productivity to sustain a diverse forest habitat. We have experience in planting techniques and a native plant stockpile to use in reforestation. We can assist when prescribed burns may be needed to improve and maintain a site.
Invasive Plant Management
We conduct continual reviews of current research on control of native and non-native invasive species to provide the best management of invasives in the safest most effective manner. Best control methods include a comprehensive management plan that begins surveying the extent of the problem developing an ecological approach that may include one or more of the following control methods: biological, environmental, mechanical and chemical. Utilization, stocking and maintenance of native species must also be part of a control plan. We provide consultation and evaluation on invasive status, federal regulations, state laws, special assistance programs and grants available to landowners with invasive species. We have experience in the use of prescribed burns for invasive control We can provide management plans for the control of aquatic invasives such a hydrilla, water hyacinth, Eurasian water milfoil, alligator weed and others.
Restoration Kits for Smaller Sites
Pond or Shoreline Restoration Kit
This do it yourself kit for the small pond or stream bank owner will provide the mean to get you started on your own restoration project. It includes our own illustrated manual on how to carry out your restoration project. You will also receive a CD with pictures of aquatic plants that includes natives and invasives to help you decide what plants you may want to keep and control. This CD has illustrations of techniques in reconstruction and other wildlife that you could expect to attract or may have at your site. The kit also contains simple water quality tests like turbidity and pH with instructions on use and what they mean. A high quality hand lens, a sample jar with scoop, and a special sieve is included so that you can collect your own benthic (bottom) samples and analyze them using our own pond and stream indicator species quide. Last you will receive bulbs, seeds and/or plants (depending on your location) from our own collection of aquatic and wetland native species. This kit can be adapted to backyard ponds. Don't wait, order now and enjoy doing your own restoration project.
Cost of Kit: $75.00. See "Plant List & Prices" for ordering information.
Prairie Restoration Kit
I n this restoration kit you will receive an illustrated manual on how to carry out a prairie restoration project. It includes things like how to test and prepare your soil, how to identify what plants you already have and what invasives need to be eliminated. There are also pictures and instructions on how to attract wildlife to your prairie. You will receive simple soil testing materials with instructions on how to test your soil to determine how productive it may be and what type it is. A CD is included with many beautiful pictures of prairie grasses and wildflowers as well as animals associated with prairies to help you with identification. In addition you will receive a small hand lens and instructions on how to recognize grasses and it will teach you the parts of a grass plant and how grasses reproduce. You will also get seed packs of wildflower and grass mixes with instructions for planting. Project size should be. 2 acres or less. Get involved in restoring these beautiful natural landscapes and order your prairie restoration kit now. Prices are listed on the plant list page with ordering instructions. Herbicides are not included in the kit. Additional seeds can be purchased for larger areas.
Cost of Kit: $85.00. Go to "Plant List & Prices" for ordering instructions.
