Home / Environment / Texas Ranch Legacy Preserved in Coastal Prairie Deal
Texas Ranch Legacy Preserved in Coastal Prairie Deal
4 Oct
Summary
- Nearly 6,409 acres of historic O'Connor Ranch are now permanently protected.
- The conservation easement allows continued operation as a working cattle ranch.
- This deal protects a significant portion of Texas's coastal prairie habitat.
An enduring Texas ranching legacy, established in 1834, is now intrinsically linked to a major private-land conservation initiative. Approximately 6,409 acres of the historic T.M. O'Connor Ranch in Goliad County have been permanently protected through an $8.863 million conservation easement.
This agreement ensures the preservation of one of the largest remaining intact stretches of coastal prairie in Texas. The O'Connor family will continue to manage the property as a working cattle ranch, blending their historical ranching operations with long-term habitat conservation.
Federal RESTORE funding, administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, provided $7.6 million for the easement. The Nature Conservancy contributed the remainder, with additional support from private foundations and individuals. This project marks the first conservation easement approved by the RESTORE Council, utilizing funds from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
The protected land provides crucial habitat for over 300 species, including migratory shorebirds and at-risk species like the Attwater's prairie chicken. Coastal prairies, which once spanned millions of acres, now exist in less than 5% of their original range in Texas. The easement's structure allows for continued agricultural use while preventing development and fragmentation, offering benefits like flood and hurricane buffering.
Management of the O'Connor Ranch will integrate conservation efforts, with collaboration planned with Texas A&M University. This initiative represents a significant step in preserving Texas's natural heritage while honoring a long-standing family ranching tradition.
