Coastal Prairie

The peacefulness of the coastal prairie today gives visitors an opportunity to reflect.

NPS photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Brownsville, TX

Amenities

6 listed

Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Wheelchair Accessible

Palo Alto Battlefield is a place where nature and history intersect. The rustling of trees and soft chirping of birds are one of the hallmarks of the park.By maintaining the battlefield in its historical condition, the park is preserving a critically endangered habitat. Coastal prairies once covered over 8 million acres of the U.S. Today less than one percent of it remains. Palo Alto Battlefield of one of those precious pockets.This important habitat is home to the endangered Aplomado falcon. Down on the ground you might come across a Texas horned lizard soaking up the sun, or a Fiddler crab burrowing to reach the ground water.Compared to the chaparral, the coastal prairie vegetation is sparser. The types of plants that grow here are limited by the salinity of the soil. Some of the plants that flourish here are gulf-cord grass, sea-ox eye, and shore grass. Although it might look as just a flat open area, the coastal prairie at Palo Alto is a valuable habitat and home to a variety species.