Trinity Scientist Directs New Mission Reach Ecological Restoration Project

On February 10, 2024, Trinity University, the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), the River Warrior Volunteers, and Microsoft gathered to plant more than 2,500 native grasses and wildflowers along Mission Reach as part of a 23-month ecological restoration project, which was developed and initiated by Trinity biology professor Kelly Lyons, Ph.D.

Mission Reach is a stretch of the San Antonio River that starts at the San Antonio Missions and extends past the River Walk. Throughout the years, this area has been ravaged by river channelizations, invasive plants, and the loss of biodiversity.

The Mission Reach restoration project brings together Trinity University and its students, SARA, and the public to help determine best practices for controlling invasive Guinea grass and Kleberg bluestem along Mission Reach, enriching native plant and animal diversity, and improving native food resources that support a thriving local ecosystem. The project was funded by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Standards-based Restoration in Action program and supported by a grant from Microsoft's Community Environmental Sustainability (CES) program.

"As stewards of our waterways, it is fundamental that we address the encroachment of non-native grass species like Guinea grass," says Peter Pierson, SARA's natural resource management specialist. "We are grateful to Trinity and Microsoft for this collaborative effort to preserve the San Antonio River Basin."

"The program was designed to bring together the public and students from my research laboratory and courses. The project manifests the spirit of Trinity's dedication to vigorous training in undergraduate research and experiential learning," says Lyons. "It was a glorious day. Approximately 40 volunteers showed up early in the morning on a day with rain in the forecast. We are grateful to SER and Microsoft for making this collaboration possible."

As the proposal author, Lyons initiated this project in Fall 2023. Her role in the project involves experimental design, oversight of the student and volunteer workforce, and continued monitoring and data collection through her research lab as well as her plant biology and ecology courses. Through her hands-on lab, Lyons' students participated in this project, gaining real-world, field-based research experience outside the classroom. After completing their work, Lyons' students became co-authors in a scientific journal publication. The work was presented at the Texas Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration annual meeting.  

"I feel lucky to have been a part of it. It was beautiful to see people from different organizations and backgrounds come together to restore the land," says Joslyn Boyer '26, one of Lyons' research students.

Each fall following this event, Trinity volunteers and members of the public will collect data on the efficacy of suppression treatments and the establishment of native species, involving between 20 and 30 volunteers per event. SARA will provide equipment, personnel, and expertise for conducting the large-scale restoration projects. Through this initiative, Lyons will train dozens of Trinity undergraduates, and more than 100 members of the public will gain exposure to the Mission Reach project.

Through this project, SARA staff and Trinity will use the project to continue developing a knowledge base and best practices for invasive species removal, control over time, and native grassland restoration.