LLANO COUNTY, Texas — Not only were homes destroyed in last October's historic flooding, but the Llano River's natural protections were also washed away. Crews are now working to revitalize them.
"I always enjoyed nature, plants, [the] river and boating," said Eva Broad, who was volunteering to help out Texas Parks and Wildlife with the habitat revival project.
She was one of more than a dozen people helping to rebuild the habitats washed away by the flooding.
"What we're doing here is jump-starting [the] recovery process," said Ryan McGillicuddy, a biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The new plants will grow in the next three years to help with the flooding recovery process.
"Part of the importance is to get it colonized with beneficial plants," said McGillicuddy.
He said revitalizing habitats will help reduce unwanted invasive species.
"Those areas affected by flood are easily colonized by non-desirable invasive species, they'll rapidly colonize an area that's been disturbed by a rapid flood event," he said.
The goal is also to help reduce erosion of the soil. The habitats also provide a good home to many different species.
Volunteers are not only having fun out in the elements, they're helping conserve the Llano River's ecosystem.
"Nature has always been very important to me and desirable," said Broad.
Volunteer crews will be coming back in the fall to plant some of the trees destroyed by the flooding.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: