Fayette Prairie Chapter Honored with 2026 Lone Star Land Steward Award
Pictured back from left: Hon. Paul Foster (Chairman, TPW Commission), Mark Lange (TPWD), Bobby Eichler (TPWD), Andy Olson (NPAT Stewardship Specialist), Cheryl Brown (FPC-NPAT Chapter Founder), Mark Brown (FPC-NPAT Chapter Founder), Yolanda Cuellar (FPC-NPAT Chapter Secretary), Trey Granger (FPC-NPAT Chapter Vice President), Pat Merkord (NPAT Founder), Marvelyn Granger (FPC-NPAT Chapter President), David Yoskowitz, Ph.D (TPWD Executive Director); front row: Will Newman (TPWD & NPAT Board of Directors), Julie Mattox (NETX-NPAT Chapter, Vice President), Rachel Rommel (NPAT Board of Directors), Rory Johnston (FPC-NPAT Chapter Founder), Virginia Doyle (FPC-NPAT Chapter Founder), Jesus Cuellar (FPC-NPAT Chapter Steering Committee), Erin Hatchet (NPAT President), Amber Arseneaux (NPAT Executive Director). Not pictured: Norbert Dittrich (FPC-NPAT Chapter Treasurer), Dianna Kocurek (FPC-NPAT Founder), Gary Kocurek (FPC-NPAT Founder, In Memoriam).
The Fayette Prairie Chapter of the Native Prairie Association of Texas (NPAT) received one of the 2026 Lone Star Land Steward Awards from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at an award ceremony held in Austin on May 14. This prestigious award honors landowners, organizations, and community groups across Texas that demonstrate exceptional commitment to land conservation, sustainable land use, and environmental stewardship. Past honorees in the local area include Mark and Cheryl Brown of Ammannsville and Gary and Dianna Kocurek of Weimar. A video made by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department featuring the Chapter’s activities can be viewed at tinyurl.com/FayettePrairieChapter2026.
The Fayette Prairie is part of a historical tallgrass prairie region that extends over an 11-county area. The NPAT Fayette Prairie Chapter works in partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to restore wildlife habitats and connect fragmented prairies, ensuring that these areas remain vibrant ecosystems for local wildlife and foster the natural beauty of Texas for everyone to enjoy. The chapter community helps local landowners steward their land and understand its benefits for wildlife.
The NPAT Fayette Prairie Chapter invites those interested in improving their land for wildlife to learn more and get involved. Watch their informative video at tinyurl.com/ FayettePrairieChapter2026 and register for their upcoming August 2026 Step-by-Step Guide to Prairie Restoration Symposium at texasprairie.
org/event/fp-annual-symposium- aug2026.