Ned Fritz: Love the Land Where You Live
- Friends of Bachman Lake
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
In May, fellow nature lover and author Amy Martin did a presentation at the Bachman Library about Ned Fritz, a special man in local environmental history. Amy has been a journalist and writer for over 40 years and is the author of Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth. One of her passion projects is a biographical website about Ned Fritz, Texas' most famous environmentalist.
The following summary reflects what we learned during Amy Martin's presentation and incorporates language adapted from published Ned Fritz Legacy Project materials to ensure historical accuracy.
Ned Fritz found his first inspiration for environmentalism right off of Bachman Creek, which bisected his property on Cochran Chapel Road. A legend in Texas nature preservation, he prevented the Trinity River from being turned into a barge canal, helped save the Big Thicket, established Texas wilderness areas, and much more. When he got wind of city plans to channelize the creek, he went into action and formed a group called Save Open Space. This group partnered with a coalition of organizations from the Audobon Society to Ebby Halliday to rally the neighborhood and nature lovers across the city. In the process, they introduced the concept of greenbelts to the city and saved Bachman. This was 1970, but his battle to protect Bachman was not over.
From 1971 to 1972, Ned was the first to garner national attention for native plants. Ned and Genie had purchased land off of Bachman Creek in 1952 and built a home. He kept the yard wild like a prairie. But as the street gentrified, not all neighbors approved. Eventually, the city weed inspector was called and called and called. Each time, Ned beat it back on technicalities. The weeds and plants not wanted were definitely wanted by Ned. He put together a list of all the Texas Natives in his yard, explaining their benefits to wildlife. The city took him to court and the trial, called "The Great Weed War," gained nationwide press. He won.
Ned loved Texas, but no place more so than Bachman Creek, on whose banks he lived with his family for over five decades.
It’s impossible to list all the impacts that Ned and his wife Genie made to help make Dallas a better place to live. We were spellbound as Amy told us about the work they did together and look forward to her biography.
Source: Amy Martin, Ned Fritz Legacy Project, Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth
