Last Friday we went to a private piece of property along the Blanco River. The owner of the property works with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPW) in an informal agreement. We were greeted by Ryan McGillicudy, a conservation biologist on the watershed conservation team, who works with the property owner. He gave us a rundown of how most land in Texas is privately owned and that water is a conduit for the protection of natural resources because it is a public trust resource.

In the past, it was normal for private property owners to mow their whole properties. Ryan explained that there were many environmental issues with this cultural norm. Regular mowing stops any plants from growing other than the St. Augustine grass that had been planted. He described that there are many benefits to both the property owners and the environment if plants are allowed to grow. Some of the benefits included decreasing erosion from the river and during floods, the ability to hold a greater amount of water for a longer duration, and the emergence of new Cypress trees. Before the informal partnership began, a huge flood had washed away all of the existing Cypress trees. All of those trees were of a similar age class, so there were no younger trees to replace them. There would be no more Cypress trees if everything was continued to be mowed.

While we were at the site, there were a couple young Cypress trees along the river which gave hope for the restoration process in the riparian environment of the Blanco River.

Ryan explains how the sedges along the river hold soil in place.

Signs that indicate the space as an ecological grow area.

Post and Photos by Sam Stone