Andy Olson, stewardship specialist with the Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT), explains how landowners can restore Texas prairies, with only 1–2% of original tallgrass prairie left. True remnants are one tenth of one percent and unrecreatable; NPAT holds conservation easements where landowners sell or donate development rights — about 30% of land value — while keeping farming, hunting and access rights. A healthy prairie mixes warm-season grasses and forbs that feed imperiled pollinators like monarchs. He points to USDA's Conservation Reserve Program, which pays farmers to plant prairie along row-crop edges, and to native grasses under solar arrays. He monitors easements annually; violations are rare. Without land, he recommends NPAT volunteer workdays or texasprairie.org.
Less than 1% now remains of Texas’ original native prairies, making them one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. Recorded at the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference, this conversation with Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) stewardship specialist, Andy Olson, explores why prairies matter, what a healthy prairie ecosystem looks like, and how landowners and everyday citizens can help protect these increasingly threatened landscapes. This conversation builds on our previous discussion on conservation easements, regenerative land stewardship, and the critical role farmers and ranchers can play in restoring native ecosystems. MEET OUR GUEST: Andy Olson is from central Iowa where he grew to appreciate the tiny remnants of the tall grass prairie. His love of nature and history led him to earning a master’s degree in cultural resource management from Colorado State University. He worked for the University of Northern Iowa’s Tallgrass Prairie Center where he helped landowners restore native prairie on their farms before joining NPAT as a stewardship specialist helping to manage NPAT's 11 fee-simple properties across Texas. Want to learn more about protecting and restoring Texas prairies? Visit the Native Prairies Association of Texas at texasprairie.org . TIME STAMPS: 00:00 Soil Sisters Intro 00:44 Meet Andy Olson 03:24 Texas Prairie Status 04:26 Prairie Ideal Ecosystem 06:13 How Much Is Left 07:08 Threats And Goals 08:14 Landowner Solutions 12:12 CRP And Prairie Strips 13:54 Pollinators And Connectivity 15:50 NPAT Land Trust Basics 17:56 Why NPAT Is Different 20:39 Easements And Rights 22:28 Stewardship Monitoring 25:07 Community And Volunteers 26:43 Help Without Land 27:57 Where To Learn More 28:17 Closing Credits 💚 MEET & SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 💚 ✨ Tejas Tonic - The official beverage of the TX Soil Sisters ✨ Serving up creative spirits for creative spirits. The hemp for this blissful bevvy is organically farmed in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy 15% off Tejas Tonic w/ code: SISTERS. | Socialize with @drinktejastonic on IG . ⚡️ B&P Electric - The Soil Sisters Podcast is powered by B&P Electric ⚡️ Whether you’re building, remodeling, installing low-voltage landscape lighting, or in need of an inspection. B&P is your central Texas electrical contractor . | Socialize with @b_pelectric on IG 🔥 FireHawk Bioherbicide - FireHawk is a fast acting, non-selective contact herbicide that controls many common broadleaf and grassy weeds.From gardens and homesteads to vineyards and regenerative farms, FireHawk can be used for careful spot treatments around crops, landscapes, and non crop areas. And now FireHawk is available in super concentrate giving growers flexible high performance weed control that mixes easily with water. Learn more at firehawkbioherbicide.com and use code: soilsisters15 to save 15% on your purchase. --------------------------------- Engage with TX Soil Sisters on IG: @soilsisterspodcast | X: @TXSoilSisters | FB: @TXSoilSisters Submit Guest or Show Ideas and Sponsorship Inquiries: txsoilsisters.co Ways to Support The Soil Sisters Podcast If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend interested in regenerative agriculture, ranching, local food systems, or starting their own farm journey. Your support helps us continue bringing real stories and practical lessons from the people regenerating land and communities across the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.