Help Create One Acre of Instantly Restored Prairie
Join the Coastal Prairie Conservancy for the 2026 Putting Down Roots Festival, a family-friendly morning of hands-on conservation, live music, educational activities, and community celebration.
Together, volunteers will plant 1,200 native prairie plants to create one acre of instantly restored prairie at the Indiangrass Preserve. Every plant began as wild-collected seed gathered from the Katy Prairie and other remnant prairie lands across Southeast Texas, then was carefully grown in the Coastal Prairie Conservancy's on-site Native Plant Nursery before returning to the prairie as part of this restoration project. By planting these natives, you'll help restore habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife while rebuilding one of North America's most endangered ecosystems.
The festival also features live bluegrass music, educational exhibits, a farm animal petting zoo, hot dog + veggie dog lunch, a Native Plant Raffle, and guided tours of the preserve.
Festival Schedule
9:00 AM | Welcome & Check-In
Check in, enjoy coffee, and kick off the morning with a welcome from Coastal Prairie Conservancy staff. Volunteers will receive a planting demonstration, safety briefing, and instructions before heading into the prairie.
9:00–11:30 AM | Community Prairie Planting
Help create one acre of instantly restored prairie by planting 1,200 native prairie plants alongside fellow volunteers.
Festival activities throughout the morning also include:
Live bluegrass music by the Fire Ants String Band
Educational booths
Farm animal petting zoo
Native Plant Raffle ticket sales
11:30 AM | Lunch
Enjoy provided lunch under the pavilion while visiting with fellow attendees, exploring educational booths, and purchasing your final raffle tickets before the drawing.
12:00 PM | Festival Program & Native Plant Raffle
Gather under the pavilion for a brief celebration featuring:
Welcome remarks
Sponsor recognition
Dedication of the newly restored prairie to this year's honorees, Iris and David Poteet
Native Plant Raffle drawing
12:30–1:00 PM | Guided Preserve Tour
Conclude the festival with an optional guided tour led by Coastal Prairie Conservancy staff. Choose from a variety of tours, including:
Katy Prairie Welcome Center Tour – Learn about the Katy Prairie Preserve, CPC's conservation work, and the history of the coastal prairie.
Native Plant Nursery Tour – Go behind the scenes to see how locally sourced native plants are grown for the Putting Down Roots Festival and restoration projects across Southeast Texas.
Native Plant Identification Walk – Discover how to identify native prairie grasses and wildflowers while learning about their importance to wildlife.
Bird Blind Tour – Visit the preserve's bird blind and learn about the migratory birds and other wildlife that call the Katy Prairie home.
1:00 PM | Festival Concludes
Underwriter Opportunities
Support the Putting Down Roots Festival while helping restore native prairie habitat for generations to come. Festival underwriters receive recognition through event signage, printed materials, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy website, social media, and during the festival program. To be included in printed event materials, underwriting commitments need to be received by October 15, 2026. For underwriting questions, contact Katie Sierra at ksierra@coastalprairieconservancy.org.
Honoring Iris & David Poteet
Each year, the Putting Down Roots Festival recognizes individuals whose commitment to conservation has helped protect and restore the Katy Prairie. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is proud to dedicate this year's restored prairie to Iris and David Poteet in recognition of their generosity, leadership, and lasting commitment to conserving the coastal prairie for future generations.
Join us during the festival program as we celebrate the Poteets and dedicate one acre of newly restored prairie in their honor.
Event Information
What to Bring
Closed-toe shoes
Comfortable outdoor clothing
Gardening gloves (optional)
Refillable water bottle
Hat and sunscreen
Planting tools and instruction will be provided.
Family Friendly
The festival is open to all ages. Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult.
Rain or Shine
The festival will take place rain or shine unless severe weather creates unsafe conditions.
Every Plant Makes a Difference
From a tiny seed collected on the prairie to a thriving native wildflower planted by your own hands, every plant tells a story of restoration. Join your community this November to help create one acre of instantly restored prairie, one plant at a time.