By Brandt Mannchen
On January 16, 2026, the Houston Regional Group and Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club (Sierra Club) visited Compartment 5 in Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) to view how implementation of a wildlife habitat improvement project by the U.S. Forest Service (FS) has affected blackland prairies, ponds, and riparian woodlands.
We first visited Stand 8, a 9-acre blackland prairie. The Sierra Club found that the amount and density of woody vegetation is much less than it was in the past. This is a very good sign that the project has succeeded in enhancement of prairie grass and wildflower growth.
We were delighted to see a lot of Indiangrass and Little Bluestem in this prairie. We also saw the beginning or remnants of Lance-leaf Indian Plantain, Rattlesnake Master, Bushy Bluestem, Knot-root Bristle Grass, St. Andrew’s Cross, and other prairie plants.
We then visited Stand 4, where an unnamed FS road, fire lane, and powerline come together at Taliaferro Road (Forest Road 209).
We traveled east on this unnamed road and visited several ponds. The largest pond looked in great condition and was very scenic. This is a well-maintained wildlife pond.
A FS and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management area project, near where these ponds are, included a prairie. This was good to see because of the diversity it added to the area.
The Sierra Club saw a lot of non-native privet growing here that must be treated. In addition, we saw a lot of Brazilian Vervain that should be removed to enhance the wildlife values and benefits of this wildlife project.
It was good to see Indiangrass, Switchgrass, and Little Bluestem in this area. However, the populations of these native grasses were small and sparse in density. Some additional seeding or planting of root stock may be needed to ensure that the benefits of this project are fully attained and maintained.
We also found a lot of feral hog rooting in this area. The Sierra Club has requested that the FS prepare and implement a plan that reduces feral hogs in Compartment 5.
Finally, we visited Stands 2 and 4, where a stream flows west to east, crosses Welch Road, and eventually flows into Bay Branch on the east side of Welch Road. On the north side of this stream, for about 1/8 mile, the stream is the boundary between Stand 2 and private property.
There is a fire lane that’s been plowed parallel to this stream. This fire lane appears, in some places, to be in the floodplain (riparian woodland) and lower slope of a ridge that is south of the stream.
The Sierra Club recommended to the FS that it relocate this fire lane south of its current location so that it no longer trespasses onto the lower slope and floodplain of this stream. At present this fire lane appears to degrade vegetation (riparian woodland), soil, and floodplain resources that exist here.
The Sierra Club sent the FS an email which enumerated the comments above. This is one way that the Sierra Club provides public input to the FS periodically. In this way, the FS knows what the public sees, is concerned about, and values in SHNF. This “Forest Watch” action is part of a program to provide citizen oversight to our federal forests so that they are protected and managed appropriately and properly.
Photos by Brandt Mannchen