Lands of North Texas

Prior to European colonization, the land in North Texas was predominately characterized by a diverse mix of grasslands, woodlands, and streams.  Grayson, Collin, Denton, and Cooke counties were part of the Blackland Prairie to the East, and the Cross Timber and Prairies to the West.  These historic ecosystems were shaped by a combination of climate, soil types, and natural disturbances such as fire and grazing by large herbivores.

In the Blackland Prairie, dominant grass species included big bluestem, side-oats grama, and switchgrass, while colorful wildflowers like Indian paintbrush, bluebonnets, and black-eyed Susans dotted the landscape. The Cross Timbers woodlands were characterized by dense forests of post oak, blackjack oak, and eastern red cedar.  The understory consisted of grasses and shrubs, creating a diverse and layered ecosystem.

Since European colonization, the land in North Texas has undergone significant changes in land use. Ranching and the cattle industry became dominant, utilizing the vast grasslands for grazing and leading to the establishment of large ranches and cattle drives. Agricultural practices emerged, with farmers cultivating crops such as cotton, corn, wheat, and sorghum, transforming the landscape with the use of mechanized farming techniques.

Nowadays, privately owned land in Texas amounts to roughly 93% of all land in Texas. As time goes on, land is split and reduced in size due to property sales, inheritance, urbanization, and infrastructure development. This land fragmentation disrupts natural habitats and creates isolated patches of land, negatively impacting local wildlife by limiting movement, access to food and water, and increasing vulnerability to predation.

Due to the majority private ownership of Texas, it is up to you, the Landowner, to be a good steward of our wildlife and natural resources. WARD Land & Wildlife is here to help ensure the success of your Wildlife Management Plan and together we can restore this land to what the pioneers once called "God's Country."