The Master Plan for Blackland Prairie Raptor Center includes four phases of development that include an education facility, interpretive trails through native Blackland Prairie, demonstration gardens with native species, and the creation of a raptor rehabilitation center.

Already in progress is the design and preparation for installing demonstration gardens that the public will be able to enjoy and learn about plant species native to North Texas.   Local organizations and corporations are partnering on this project including Prairie & Timbers Audubon, Rockwell-Collins, Inc., and Blackland Prairie Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists. Additional funding
has been provided by a Collin County Open Space grant.

Future site of Blackland Prairie Raptor Center education caging and offices

WE ARE BEGINNING PHASE ONE AND ARE IN NEED OF MANY DONATED MATERIALS AND SERVICES TO COMPLETE THIS VERY IMPORTANT PHASE!

Below is a list including an overview of the development, materials and labor necessary for completion.  We are in need of many resources to complete this phase.   Please look over the list of materials and services needed.   If you can donate any of these, please visit our FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE page.  Donations at specific levels receive additional benefits.  Please call Erich Neupert, Executive Director, with any inquiries, at 469-964-7304.

                                                            PHASE ONE
A facility to provide housing and care for our permanent non-releasable education birds as well as a temporary building for offices and future rehabilitation are Phase One objectives.  The completion date for Phase One is December, 2008.

           
       Site planning designed by WMKC Architects, Inc.

Materials and Services needed to complete Phase One:

• Driveway (approx. 200’), parking lot (40’x 60’) and culvert installation.
  Crushed granite for surface. Fairly flat surface already.
• Gates and installation – 2 gates for entrance. Can be basic chain link
  but would prefer automatic sliding gates
• Cedar tree removal in area to be developed
• Pad site clearing and leveling for temporary building (40’ x 90’)
• Pad site clearing and leveling for education bird cages  (50’ x 90’)
• Temporary building with HVAC, plumbing built out to our needs, Building
  minimum size 14’ x 40’
• Sewer hook up (4” service)
• Electrical Hook up (drop box)
• Water hook up (3/4” to 1” wet tap, meter and box)
• Office equipmen
• Security

Education cages:

• Water hook up
• Electrical hood up
• Security fencing
• Security system

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are partnering to provide North Central Texas environmental education with an emphasis on birds of prey. The lease of Brockdale Park, 66 acres on the western shore of Lavon Lake near Lucas, provides public use space, native Blackland Prairie, ponds and shoreline to enhance the environmental education activities. Except for individual rentals, the property has been closed to the public for more than 30 years.

BPRC plans involve improvements comprising: the addition of an education facility, building interpretive trails through native Blackland Prairie, installation of demonstration gardens with native species, and the creation of a raptor rehabilitation center.

The first phase of development entails a facility to provide housing and care for our permanent non-releasable education birds. With this in place, BPRC will increase the capabilities to educate the public about the importance of raptors in our North Texas environment.

The second phase focuses on education with a building situated on the existing public use space and permanent trail development, with signage, through Blackland Prairie. The education facility will allow BPRC to expand its interpretive capabilities through on site programming for schools and organizations as well as increasing community access to the property for events.

Part of the second phase is the restoration and preservation of Blackland Prairie that sits in the middle of the property. This portion of prairie has not been disturbed in more than 70 years. In 1900, there were more than 16 million acres of Blackland Prairie from San Antonio to the Red River. That total can be counted in thousands of acres in 2008. Blackland Prairie is considered the most endangered large ecosystem in North America according to The Nature Conservancy.  BPRC will revitalize this prairie and create interpretive trails for the enjoyment and education of the public.

Demonstration gardens in the public use area will exhibit native drought-tolerant species that provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and excellent examples of xeriscaping. BPRC is working with local environmental organizations including Prairie and Timbers Audubon Society and the Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists to create these gardens to showcase for the public the year round beauty and benefits to landscaping with plant species native to North Texas.

The next phase will include a raptor rehabilitation center that will receive an estimated 500 sick, injured and orphaned birds of prey within the first few years of its completion. In the long term, plans include handling more than 700 patients a year with numerous intensive care units, a nursery, and an examination/surgical room. Additionally, flight cages necessary for exercise will be built to federal regulations. At this time, there are no facilities in North Texas built to the specifications required for all species of birds of prey found in this area.

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center estimates that its revitalization plan for Brockdale Park will take approximately three years to fully execute.   As work progresses in the various areas, public access times and uses will increase for the full benefit of the community.