A savanna is an open grassland area with trees interspersed throughout. The property that is now Hardberger Park was once overgrazed by livestock during its 100+ years as a working dairy farm. Non-native species such as King Ranch Bluestem and Bermuda Grass have persisted ever since. Woody species such as Texas Persimmon and Ashe juniper trees also crowded out native grasses. With agriculture and livestock grazing, wildfires were no longer frequent, allowing the woody species to take hold and grow. A large part of what is now dense woodland in Hardberger Park was historically savanna and tall to midgrass prairie.
Since 2009, 13 acres of native grasses have been planted near the beginning of the Oak Loop Trail, restoring the land to savanna. Grasses planted and seeded include Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Eastern Gama Grass, Indiangrass, Sideoats Grama, Upland Switchgrass, Inland Sea Oats and Texas Cupgrass.
The savanna provides a vital and diverse habitat for birds and other wildlife. Additional grasslands will be planted along the Land Bridge, further restoring natural habitat and reclaiming about an acre of habitat over the parkway.
Features in or near the Savanna:
Nearest Parking
8400 NW Military Hwy
San Antonio, TX 78230
The Savanna in the news:
Sept. 13, 2021, Texas Public Radio: Wendy Leonard is a Nature Preserve Officer for San Antonio Parks and has been with the restoration project since its beginning in 2009. The specific term she uses for the plot is a “savanna,” which she says denotes a “mosaic of grass, woody shrubs, and trees.”
Mosaic is an appropriate descriptor. There is a variety of green hues — the teal of indiangrass to the rust of bluestem. A mixture of statures — the shoots of gamagrass to the spread of bristlegrass. And an assembly of seed heads — the fireworks of switchgrass to the cotton candy of beardgrass.
Read the full story here: https://www.tpr.org/environment/2021-09-13/extremely-rare-prairie-grass-is-thriving-at-san-antonios-hardberger-park
Field Trips and Guided Hikes are available upon request