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  • Summer
  • 2025
  • » Gulf Prairies Ecoregion
  • Summer
  • 2025

Gulf Prairies Ecoregion

Texas is home to 10 different Gould’s ecoregions as seen on the map below. Ecoregions are areas of land that share similar climate, topography and soils. In this series, we will dive into each of Texas’ 10 ecoregions one Critter Connections issue at a time. Next up – the Gulf Prairies!
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Classroom Lessons

Take your Critter Connections beyond science and reading with additional enrichment resources!

Observations with Leopold, K-5
Students will recognize Aldo Leopold as a famous conservationist and discover the methods he used to collect data through observation. These methods include the use of his senses and standard and non-standard measurement.

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Observations with Leopold, 6-8, Bio, Env Sys
Students will recognize Aldo Leopold as a famous conservationist as they distinguish between observations he used to collect data, including both qualitative and quantitative information.

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Texas Ecoregion Puzzle, K-3
Students will identify the basic needs of various animals in the ecoregions of Texas while emphasizing good stewardship practices.

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Texas Ecoregion Puzzle, 4-8, Aquatic Science
Students will identify animals, plants, and habitats that exist among the ecoregions of Texas. Ecoregion biodiversity will provide reasons for making good choices regarding stewardship practices.

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MORE LESSONS

RELATED VIDEO LESSONS

Distance Learning

Bring wildlife into your classroom with on-demand programs designed for K-8 students! Videos are 15-45 minutes long and are available 24/7. All programs include interactive questions and follow-along worksheets that are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.

More Videos
⏱︎ 18 min.

Wetland Ecosystems

Discover how wetland ecosystems, such as swamps and marshes, are important to the water cycle and provide habitat for a great diversity of wildlife.

WATCH NOW

External Resources

Coyote
Exploring Nature
Coyote
Exploring Nature
Coyote Coloring Page
Exploring Nature
Coyote Drawing Lesson
Exploring Nature
Coyote Labeling Page
Exploring Nature
Coyote Tracks
Exploring Nature
Crane (Whooping) Coloring Page
Exploring Nature
Crane (Whooping) Labeling Page
Exploring Nature
Gould Ecoregions of Texas
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Great Texas Wildlife Trails
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Keep Texas Wild: Gulf Coast
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Life Cycle of the World’s Most Seriously Endangered Sea Turtle: Kemp’s Ridley
PBS Learning Media for Teachers
Remarkable Rediscovery of Red Wolf DNA in the Wild
PBS Learning Media for Teachers
Sea Turtle Drawing Lesson
Exploring Nature
Texas Bird Bingo
Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine & Audubon Texas
Texas Coastal Bird Explorer
Audubon Texas
The Effect of Human Development on Sea Turtles – Authentic Performance
Exploring Nature
The Texas Coast: A Critical Environment for Migratory Birds
PBS Learning Media for Teachers
Texas Bird Bingo
Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine & Audubon Texas
Coyote Coloring Page
Exploring Nature
Coyote Drawing Lesson
Exploring Nature
Coyote Labeling Page
Exploring Nature
Crane (Whooping) Coloring Page
Exploring Nature
Crane (Whooping) Labeling Page
Exploring Nature
Sea Turtle Drawing Lesson
Exploring Nature
The Effect of Human Development on Sea Turtles – Authentic Performance
Exploring Nature
Coyote
Exploring Nature
Coyote Tracks
Exploring Nature
Gould Ecoregions of Texas
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Great Texas Wildlife Trails
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Texas Coastal Bird Explorer
Audubon Texas
Keep Texas Wild: Gulf Coast
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Life Cycle of the World’s Most Seriously Endangered Sea Turtle: Kemp’s Ridley
PBS Learning Media for Teachers
Remarkable Rediscovery of Red Wolf DNA in the Wild
PBS Learning Media for Teachers
The Texas Coast: A Critical Environment for Migratory Birds
PBS Learning Media for Teachers

Cross-Curricular

  • Identify how people in different regions of Texas earn their living, past and present.
  • Explain how physical geographic factors such as climate and natural resources have influenced the location of economic activities in Texas.
  • Identify the effects of exploration, immigration, migration, and limited resources on the economic development and growth of Texas.
  • Explain how developments in transportation and communication have influenced economic activities in Texas.
  • Find your county on the Gould Ecoregion map.
    • Which ecoregion do you live in?
  • Identify, locate, describe, and compare the physical regions of Texas.
    • Examples include Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, and Coastal Plains.
    • Include characteristics such as landforms, climate, vegetation, and economic activities.
  • Identify cities within the Gulf Prairies Ecoregion.
    • Explain the geographic factors such as landforms and climate that influence patterns of settlement and the distribution of population in Texas, past and present.
    • Identify and explain patterns of settlement such as the location of towns and cities in Texas at different time periods.
  • Identify ways in which Texans have adapted to and modified the environment, past and present.
    • Examples include timber clearing, agricultural production, wetlands drainage, energy production, and construction of dams.
    • Explain and compare the positive and negative consequences of human modification of the environment in Texas, past and present.
    • Explain why people have adapted to and modified their environment in Texas, past and present, such as the use of natural resources to meet basic needs, facilitate transportation, and enhance recreational activities.
  • Explain ways in which geographic factors have affected the political, economic, and social development of Texas.
    • Examples include the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the Dust Bowl, limited water resources, and alternative energy sources.
  • Grades 4 and 7

Bring More Wildlife to Your Classroom

  • Summer
  • 2025

Gulf Prairies Ecoregion

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  • Spring
  • 2025

Edwards Plateau Ecoregion

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  • Winter
  • 2024

Cross Timbers Ecoregion

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  • Fall
  • 2024

Blackland Prairie Ecoregion

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  • Summer
  • 2024

Fantastic Fish

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