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Pictured is a field at North Lakes Park Wildflower Trail in Denton. Field is filled with bright pink/red and white flowers (Indian Paintbrush). Trees and sky in the distant background.

Denton's Prairie Pathways

Transforming local landscapes with vibrant native meadows.

About Prairie Pathways

Discover how Denton is transforming local landscapes with vibrant native meadows that support wildlife, improve environmental health, and celebrate our city’s unique natural heritage. Together, we're cultivating a greener, more resilient future.

Denton’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and enhancing community resilience is taking root in a transformative initiative focused on restoring our native prairie landscapes. By reintegrating diverse native plants like grasses and forbs across select public spaces, this program aims to bolster biodiversity, improve wildlife habitats, and address pressing environmental concerns such as soil erosion and urban heat. With sustainable land management practices and expert partnerships guiding its implementation, this initiative represents a collaborative effort to create thriving ecosystems that benefit both our environment and our community.

The Denton Prairie Pathways program is designed to reintroduce and expand native plant habitats throughout the city, strengthening the ecological health of local landscapes while supporting diverse flora and fauna. By focusing on native grasses and forbs, strategic site selection, and sustainable land management practices, the program aims to increase biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitats, improve soil and water quality, and mitigate environmental challenges such as erosion and urban heat. Through thoughtful implementation, community education, and collaboration with partners including UNT, TPWD, and Master Naturalists, the program seeks to establish resilient native meadows that enrich Denton’s natural heritage and foster long‑term environmental stewardship.

Public input plays a vital role in shaping this program. By engaging residents and local stakeholders, we ensure that these efforts not only align with Denton’s unique environmental needs but also reflect the values and aspirations of our community. Through transparent planning, strategic site selection, and widespread education, this program aspires to establish scenic, functional, and ecologically robust native meadows for generations to come. Your voice makes a difference in this journey.

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Helpful Links and Resources

Banner image showing close up of yellow flowers (Maximillian Sunflowers) with green field in the background filled with additional yellow flowers (Maximillian Sunflowers). [Bottom left] Text reading Denton's Prairie Pathways. [Right side] Green text box reading "Denton's official Prairie Pathways iNaturalist project, located in Denton, Texas.  Established in 2025, we have been reintroducing Texas native plants materials to the City of Denton municipal green spaces to help sustain and support local flora and fauna."

Denton GIS - Prairie Pathways Interactive Map

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Initiatives

Current and Future Initiatives

Phase 1

Fire Station 8

Phase 2

Audra Open Space

Phase 3

Cooper Glenn Open Space

Past Events

9
May 2026

Herpetology Walk

Starting at 8p, Denton's Prairie Pathways and The UNT Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society will host a guided herpetology walk through Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center. Learn about local amphibians and reptiles. We have a limited number of flashlights to lend, so we recommend bringing your own whether it's a headlamp, phone flashlight, or a handheld flashlight. Please dress hike appropriate.

We'll meet at the Education Center before starting.

25
Apr 2026

Springtime on the Prairie & Herpetology Walk

As we take on the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge with Denton's Prairie Pathways, join us for a celebration of spring with a Faire & Herpetology Walk. Join over half a dozen local organizations at the Education Center and surrounding trails for a close-up, interactive look at how Dentonites and surrounding counties are helping our environment - and how you can be involved, too!

From 4p - 8pm

Starting at 8 p.m. after the Faire, join us on a walk hosted by the UNT Chapter of The Wildlife Society all about amphibians and reptiles. Equipment will be provided while supplies last. Feel free to bring a flashlight or headlamp if you'd like!

24
Apr 2026

Blacklight Mothing

Join us for a night on the prairie as we turn on the blacklights and set up our cloths for iNaturalist's 2026 City Nature Challenge.

Starts at 8pm!

Have your own setup? Bring it along and set up along the trail.

6
Sep 2025

Dentonites' Eco-Fair & Mothing Night

As we celebrate "30 Days of Pollinators" with Denton's Prairie Pathways, join us for our Mothing Event & Eco Fair on September 6 at Clear Creek Park!

Dentonites' Eco-Fair - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pollinators on the Prairie - Mothing Event 8 to 11 p.m.

Note: Have your own mothing kit and want to bring it? Just put your name down here so we know to expect you! Bring a flashlight or a headlamp alongside a camera or your phone! Mothing will be running until 11:00 PM.

We recommend downloading the mobile version of iNaturalist (and Merlin for the birds) before arriving to Clear Creek if planning to use your phone, as signal strength varies greatly.

6
Sep 2025

BYOBinoculars Bird Walk

Join us for our Prairie Pathway's "30 Days of Pollinators" BYOBinoculars Bird Walk. Kicking off our celebration will be a morning bird walk, guided by representatives of UNT's Bird Campus. We'll meet at the Clear Creek Education Center at 6:45 AM for a short orientation before heading off at 7:00 AM towards the trails. It is recommended that you wear good shoes and long pants. Bring a water bottle, and your own binoculars.