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 The North Rolling Plains RC&D represents the following counties: Ochiltree , Lipscomb, Hemphill, Roberts, Gray, Donley, Wheeler, Collingsworth, Hall, and Briscoe. This part of Texas includes some of the most striking and beautiful scenery in the state. Although the Panhandle is normally associated with the flat, intensively farmed areas in the south and in the northwest, the northeastern portion boasts tremendous diversity of wildlife, habitats, and geology. Caprock Canyons State Park, in Quitaque, offers a spectacular canyon view that reaches 700 feet in depth, a formation that is as surprising as it is stunning. In addition to the relief provided by the canyonlands in Donley and Briscoe counties, this northeastern portion of Texas also offers some of the richest, healthiest, and unfragmented stretches of shortgrass prairie anywhere in the U.S. These plains harbored the multi-million populations of American Bison that comprised the great Southern Herd, and their richness in Little Bluestem, side-oats grama, indiangrass, and an incredible diversity of other grasses and forbs has made them home to amazing varieties of prairie wildlife. Fall and winter bring in an abundance seedeating birds that include three species of longspur, more than ten species of sparrow, and a plethora of raptors that feed on rodents, rabbits, and other small mammals. Winter visitors can expect to see Rough-legged Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Red-tailed Hawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and American Kestrel throughout the sand-sage prairie region. Pronghorn, deer, wild turkey, quail, pheasant, mountain lion, coyote, bobcat, porcupine, badger, and skunk are other watchable wildlife that occur throughout the north rolling plains. The region's wealth of habitat explains another of its assets: a long and rich human history that stretches back for thousands of years. Fossil digs, excavated prehistoric Indian villages, countless arrowheads, and relics from the numerous battles fought between anglo and native Americans occur throughout the region. Museums and heritage site commemorate many of these clashes, and a plethora of authentic historical artifacts can be found in local museum exhibits--the tools of a 19th Century country dentist, cobbler, embalmer, saddlemaker, housewife, and cowboy are well-preserved and attractively displayed in numerous heritage museums. Although affected by the rural economic decline that has impacted most small communities throughout the Great Plains, some regions within the RC&D area are experiencing a renaissance. Hemphill County has grown in population since the last census, and aggressive tourism strategies by regional groups such as Texas Prairie Rivers have infected other counties with positive, sustainable, low-impact, strategies for growth. Statewide tourism projects such as the Great Texas Wildlife Trail have designated over forty sites for wildlife viewing in the counties, and additional initiatives such as the Texas Plains Trail promise to bring a similar level of involvement to the countless cultural and historical events/venues/destinations throughout the area. Strong Hispanic growth in the North Rolling Plains also offers significant opportunities for the area. In addition to bringing a much-need younger demographic to this aging part of the state, the cultural diversity, work ethic, and expanded tax base all offer major developmental opportunities for the area. |
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