Spring Supper with a Cause: Connemara Conservancy Foundation

April 27, 2019

It was a beautiful rare spring day in 2019, rare because it wasn’t raining! A hundred guests gathered at the long table in the meadow for a special Supper with a Cause to support the Connemara Conservancy Foundation.

The Connemara Meadow Preserve is a 72-acre land trust on the border of Allen and Plano. The Texas Master Naturalists and other volunteers work diligently to remove devastating invasive species of plants from the meadow and restore native Texan grasses and wildflowers, in order to preserve the disappearing Blackland Prairie for future generations. When these species are gone, they’re gone forever; conservation efforts like these are critical to the survival of our native plants and wildlife.

Seed Project Foundation founder Rick Wells and Meadow Manager Bob Mione welcome guests under the trees for cocktails and appetizers at 5pm. Guests enjoyed seasonal cocktails like The Naturalist featuring local Calamity Gin, lemon, and wildflower honey and a special Collin County Saison brewed with Blacklands Pale Malt. Bob talked about their conservation work in the meadow, pointing out newly seeded or transplanted plots in the distance, as well as older plots where the native species had taken root and were thriving.

At the table, Chef Andrea from Harvest celebrated spring with her menu. Baby kale salads with English peas, aged gruyere, and ginger mustard dressing started the meal, followed by Porchetta and sirloin with red wine sauce and oyster mushrooms. The cherry on top was a British-inspired Swiss chard tart with local strawberries from Pure Land Farm. Eden Hill Winery and Vineyard poured two of their 2018 wines, their “Trinity” viognier blend and “Divine Red” tempranillo and aglianico blend, complementing the courses beautifully.

You can help us help us preserve our native Texan Blackland Prairie with a donation. If you have time, the Connemara Conservancy Foundation is always looking for volunteers to hop on the tractor, seed native grasses, and transplant into the meadow. The meadow is open to the public and they encourage visitors to feel connected to our true North Texan environment.