Discover how fire shapes the land on this unique guided walk through the research plots at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Fire has been a vital tool for managing these landscapes for thousands of years. Indigenous cultures in this region and across North America practiced controlled burns—known as cultural burning—to promote the growth of valuable plants, clear land for hunting and foraging, and reduce the risk of larger, catastrophic wildfires by removing fuel. These time-tested practices inform modern land management today.
For more than 20 years, scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have studied how prescribed burns impact Central Texas ecosystems, building on this ancient knowledge. Their work reveals how fire can control invasive species, restore balance to plant communities, and support the incredible diversity of native grasses, wildflowers, and wildlife that make our landscapes so vibrant.
As we stroll along the Simmons Research Trail, you’ll see firsthand how different burn seasons create different results:
- Summer burns help reduce invasive King Ranch bluestem and open the way for brilliant spring wildflowers like black-eyed Susan and Indian paintbrush.
- Winter burns encourage native prairie grasses such as little bluestem and curly mesquite.
- Fall burns spark colorful bursts of wildflowers across the fields.
- Restoration burns bring ecosystems back to their roots, turning woodlands into grasslands where scissor-tailed flycatchers, bobwhite quail, and armadillos thrive.
Along the way, you’ll learn how the Wildflower Center applies this research—rooted in both Indigenous wisdom and modern science—to manage its one-of-a-kind native plant gardens and how fire plays a vital role in addressing today’s biggest environmental challenges, from invasive species and climate change to water scarcity and habitat loss.
This tour blends science and storytelling in an engaging, hands-on experience. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, gardener, or simply curious about the hidden benefits of fire, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for how this natural force sustains the health and beauty of our Texas landscapes.
Support is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
