The Texas landscape is changing, and not always for the better. Increasing population and expanding development are destroying native habitat, reducing access to clean and plentiful water, and threatening agricultural production. Between 1997 and 2017, over 2.2 million acres of Texas natural land were lost.
In light of this trend, many landowners across Texas recognize the importance of protecting the lands under their care. They are reaching out to land trusts such as Texas Land Conservancy and using conservation easements to make it happen.
Read more from Ellen Gass, stewardship director for the Texas Land Conservancy, in this opinion piece with The Austin Chronicle here.