Prairie Rendezvous Houston
About this Event
Prairie Rendezvous Houston
Cold beer. Tasty bites. Live music. And a little learning about native grasslands - all under one roof!
Prairie Rendezvous Houston is where great beer, delicious food, live music, and Texas land protection come together for an unforgettable afternoon.
Join us for a lively celebration of Texas’ native prairies and the communities working to protect them. Your ticket includes all food, drinks, music, and festivities, with opportunities to win exciting prizes just for attending. Every gathering supports a bigger purpose: conserving one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems.
Through music, storytelling, education, and connection, Prairie Rendezvous brings together Texans from all walks of life—ranchers, landowners, conservationists, wildflower lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike—to celebrate the beauty and importance of our native grasslands.
Proceeds directly benefit the , a nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving Texas prairies through land protection, stewardship, and community engagement.
Come raise a glass, make new connections, and help protect the most endangered ecosystem in Texas for generations to come.
Prairie Stories Guest Speaker:
Lauren Simpson, creator of St. Julian's Crossing Wildlife Habitat will present "Reconnecting Houston, One Native-Plant Garden at a Time". Much of Houston’s prairie landscape has been paved, mowed, or fragmented, but in our urban gardens, native plants can help bring that living landscape back into view and give wildlife places to feed, shelter, and move through the city. In this intimate talk, Lauren Simpson explains what native plants are, why they matter, and how pocket prairies and home gardens can help reconnect Houston to its prairie roots. Attendees can also receive free native-plant seeds harvested from Lauren’s own wildlife-habitat gardens
Live Music from Eric Michael Smith
Have you ever seen a field of Texas Coneflower and Rattlesnake Master shimmying in a warm summer breeze? That's the sound of
A performer at our inaugural Prairie Rendezvous at Dowell Ranch in 2025, Eric brings a blend of classic country storytelling, Southern rock energy, and modern Texas songwriting to the stage. Rooted in Texas musical traditions, his songs reflect the people, places, and experiences that shape life across the state.
A familiar presence in Austin's music scene, Eric has performed with a wide range of artists and built a reputation for engaging live performances in dance halls, honky-tonks, and stages throughout the state.
His music will provide the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon celebrating Texas prairies and the communities working to protect them.
Prairie Rendezvous in 2025 was a blast! This year we've moved indoors to accomodate the Houston heat & humidity.
Agenda
🕑: 11:00 AM
Mixing, Mingling, and Merriment
Info: Connect with old friends and make some new ones - prairie people are simply the best! Visit our various prairie encounter exhibits to learn about Texas grasslands, and how to get involved locally in conservation and native plant advocacy. Connecting to our mission moments is also a chance to win raffle tickets for fantastic door prizes!
🕑: 12:20 PM
NPAT 40th Anniversary Toast
Info: Raise a glass to celebrate 40 years of Prairie Protection. What began as a small group of concerned volunteers has grown to a statewide conservation community with 5 chapters and nearly 1,000 members and growing.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:00 PM
Prairie Stories with special guest Lauren Simpson
Host: Lauren Simpson
Info: Lauren Simpson, renowned Houston naturalist and native plant gardener will share secrets on how to get started on embracing native plants to make your home lawn, garden, or even patio a thriving habitat for Houston wildlife. There will be time for Q&A, and you may even walk away with native seeds for your own habitat.
🕑: 01:00 PM
Live Music with Eric Michael Smith
Host: Eric Michael Smith
Info: Enjoy a private show by Eric Michael Smith whose country grooves will get your toes tapping and feet moving like prairie grasses in the wind.
🕑: 02:15 PM
Raffle Prize Drawing
Info: We will have many exciting prizes to give away for lucky raffle winners. Raffle tickets are available to purchase, and there are also opportunities to get some for free by connecting to our mission. Then drop your tickets in the jar in front of the item(s) that excite you the most. Must be present to win prizes.
🕑: 02:45 PM
Silent Auction Winners announced
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 55.00 to USD 428.10
