With the 2011 Texas drought, many ranches and rural properties are looking bad due to being overgrazed by livestock. One place to look for guidance in land restoration is the 5,500 acre Bamberger Ranch near Johnson City in Blanco County, Texas.
David Bamberger was a door to door vacuum cleaner salesman turned partner in Church’s Fried Chicken. Though REALTORS tried to sell him land with large fancy homes and airstrips, David Bamberger looked for the worst land possible that was completely overgrazed and ruined. David found just that land and has lovingly restored his piece of Texas over 41 years. When settlers came to Texas, the native grasses were up to the horses shoulders and waved in the wind like the sea. These native grasses held the topsoil. Overgrazing and overplowing can cause loss of top soil, creating huge dust storms as it did on Black Sunday, April 14, 1935. Listen to Bamberger’s story called Texas Rancher An Unlikely Environmentalist on NPR. Better yet, why don’t you arrange a visit to see this teaching center at 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636-4242
(830) 868-2630. It is a private ranch so you must call ahead and make arrangements to visit or attend a class or workshop. http://www.bambergerranch.org/
Holistic Management International is another organization to help you with land. A non-profit, HMI also teaches how to heal your land and offers great books on grazing and holistic management. Texas Parks and Wildlife helps with restoration providing advice, possible cost sharing funding and recognizes wildlife habitat restoration with its Lone Star Land Steward Award. Texas A & M’s Texas AgriLife Research also researches and advises on rangeland management and soil and water conservation. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Texas, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Native Prairies Association of Texas are other resources. Just remember that native grasses develop their root systems first so you may not feel like your grasses are coming back as fast as you like. Armed with patience, a few tools and some knowledge anyone can be a Texas Land Steward. Will you?
Contact Betty Saenz Native Texan REALTOR® and Land Steward at 512-785-5050 or contact Betty Saenz by e-mail to sell or buy your piece of Texas!
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