In Southeast Arlington, there sits a plot of land with a rich history - generally unknown to local residents. The Blackland Prairie Nature Preserve is a 13-acre tract of land which the City acquired after a group of citizens identified the land as the last Blackland Prairie remnant plot in the area.

Previously inhabited by the Native American Caddo Indians, the Blackland Prairie at one time extended from central Texas all the way to the boarder of Canada. People began settling the area between 9,000 and 5,000 years ago, cultivating the area into a major source of food for the region which consisted of maize, beans, and squash. The Caddo Indians played a major role in the social structure of the region and relied on the bountiful fruits of the land for hunting deer, bear and bison.

When Texas was admitted as a state in 1845, most of the Caddo's were relocated to reservations farther west and in Oklahoma. During the rapid residential construction period in the 1900's, the Blackland Prairie quickly disappeared as farmers and cotton companies bought up the land for its rich mineral content. Today, development has left less than one-percent of the once vast prairie expanse. The preservation of Arlington's Blackland Prairie Nature Preserve has become a topic of discussion for Arlington residents, supporting organizations, as well as the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Arlington Municipal Airport Lobby, 5070 S. Collins Street, to discuss options for the preservation and protection of this rare Arlington gem. Please mark your calendars and join us for a brief presentation and discussion about the Master Plan for the Blackland Prairie Nature Preserve.

PUBLIC MEETING:

When: Dec. 3, 2013 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Arlington Municipal Airport Lobby

Why: To discuss the Blackland Prairie Nature Preserve Master Plan