The Conservation and Ecological Stewardship Plan is a document that outlines a clear vision and land management procedures for increasing the ecological function of the 30-acre Singleton property located in Cedar Hill, Texas. The property is an important piece of the FM 1382 Nature Corridor and adds to the 25% preserved land goal set by the City’s comprehensive plan, Cedar Hill Next, and approved by City Council in 2022. The Plan provides recommendations for balancing access and site usage with ecological function, sensitive area protection, preservation of high-quality habitat through restoration and rehabilitation. This plan provides the following:

• An overview of current conditions and existing species at the Singleton preserve;

• Overall goals for the entire property;

• Target ecological conditions for “sub areas” of ecological communities within the preserve; and

• Action items, sustainability, and land management recommendations for City staff to follow in order to achieve those goals.

The Singleton Preserve: Conservation and Ecological Stewardship Plan uses an ecological function approach to identify opportunities to increase ecological health within a site. Ecosystem functions refer to the processes and interactions that occur within an ecosystem between both abiotic (non-living, e.g. water or rocks) and biotic (living, e.g. plants or animals). When these parts of an ecosystem are functioning well, processes such as nutrient cycling, water filtration, and soil stabilization are operating as they should. However, human disturbance, such as development, compaction, the grazing of animals, or the introduction of invasive or aggressive species can disturb these processes. The goal of the ecological function method is to restore these functions to a level that meets the target goals of the project and reduces environmental degradation of a site.

The planning processes included conversations with Cedar Hill Parks Department Staff, and interviews with existing property occupants and local conservation experts from Dogwood Canyon Preserve and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help inform goals and best practices. Our team performed a rapid ecological assessment of the site and, in collaboration with Cedar Hill, led a Bioblitz of invited stakeholders to document existing species on the site. A database of existing desirable and undesirable species was developed as a result of these efforts. Goals for the entire property were developed along with “subarea target ecological conditions” for the various ecological communities nested within the property. Land management recommendations and operating procedures were outlined to guide the City in increasing and maintaining the ecological function of the property.

The Singleton Preserve Plan uses an ecological function approach to enhance ecological health. Ecosystem functions involve interactions between abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) elements. Human activities like development and invasive species can disrupt these functions. The goal is to restore these functions to meet project goals and reduce environmental degradation.

The planning involved discussions with Cedar Hill Parks Department Staff, interviews with property occupants, and local conservation experts. We conducted a rapid ecological assessment and led a Bioblitz to document species on the site. Goals were developed for the entire property and specific ecological communities within it. Land management recommendations were outlined to increase and maintain ecological function.