The Town leadership has committed to protecting it from development and providing a place to enjoy the natural world. Previously a private residence by Lewisville Lake, the Town of Hickory Creek purchased the land in 2014 and is protecting and enhancing this naturally occurring post oak savannah and prairie restoration area in the endangered Eastern Cross Timbers ecoregion of Texas. Pratt is known for its abundance of little bluestem. Milkweed grows in the wild, and a variety of native grasses can be found here, including sideoats grama. Development of the Preserve was postponed until completion of the widening project for the Sycamore Bend Road, which leads into the park where the Preserve is located. This was completed in April 2023. While the Preserve is still not accessible to the general public, planning now is underway to open up for a number of educational and recreational activities. Native plants found here include zizotes, viridis, whorled and tuberosa varieties of milkweed, coral berry, gayfeather, late blooming boneset, western horsenettle, buffalo grass, sedges, silver bluestem, white tridens, purpletop tridens, (lots of) little bluestem, big bluestem, side oats grama, post oaks and some smaller cedars. Mammals include deer, armadillos, raccoons, rabbits, coyote and bobcats. Birds include vultures, kingfishers, robins, scissortails, pine siskins, titmice, great horned owls, painted buntings and great blue herons. The Preserve covers approximately nine acres, and benefits from being surrounded on three sides by Corps property. Visit https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/pratt-nature-preserve-at-hickory-creek for documentation of these species as well as an amazing variety of insects.
