A passion for conservation is a true gift to the world. While stewarding the land brings immense beauty and fulfillment, it can sometimes be challenging to remain optimistic. Conservation often requires confronting difficult realities, such as habitat loss and species decline. However, by broadening our perspective, we can find many reasons for hope. One bright spot is the growing support for conservation from landowners, industry, and the public.   

The past few months for Audubon Conservation Ranching (ACR) have been marked by extensive outreach efforts, and it’s clear that enthusiasm for conservation is at an all-time high. In October, the Texas ACR team participated in the Lands and Legacies Conference, hosted by the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. The day was filled with conversations and presentations at the forefront of private lands conservation. Audubon Texas contributed by presenting on the state of bird populations and sharing insights into the ACR program. Notably, this year’s conference saw an unprecedented turnout of private landowners, reflecting a growing interest in conservation beyond industry professionals.  

This heightened engagement underscores a broader movement—landowners and members of the public are increasingly motivated to learn about bird habitat, adopt best management practices, and expand restoration efforts. The ACR team has witnessed this enthusiasm firsthand, sparking interest and participation at presentations across Texas, providing hope for the future of birds and broader conservation goals.  

Landowner engagement continues to reach remarkable levels this season. As 2024 draws to a close, the Texas ACR team anticipates certifying an additional eight ranches, totaling 52,500 acres. These will join the 14 ranches already certified, which encompass 87,500 acres under the program. This upward trend is set to extend into 2025, with 10 ranches already undergoing the certification process, projected to contribute another 381,100 acres to the program. 

With this momentum, the Audubon Texas team is up for several key additions. August saw the addition of Range Ecologist, Sarah Galvan, who is doing great work to continue the expansion of the ACR program and landowner technical assistance in south Texas. The search is also on for a third range ecologist to cover the north Texas region, an area that continues to express incredible interest in the program from landowners and partners.   

Audubon Texas is also looking forward to enhanced partnerships in 2025. Together with support from Dixon Water Foundation, we are set to develop and expand our suite of tools for private land operators. This includes the development of an intranet, an online community of practice focused on connectivity, sustainable practices, and education. With more partnerships on the horizon, we’re confident that this project—and many others—will continue to drive increased participation and enthusiasm for private lands conservation in Texas. 

There’s a growing sense of enthusiasm surrounding private lands conservation in Texas—a welcomed boost as we move into 2025. We look forward to further developing the ACR program, providing technical assistance, and developing online resources with landowners and partners throughout the coming year.  

For more information about the Audubon Conservation Ranching program or to explore technical assistance opportunities, please reach out to Range Ecologist Anita Gilson at anita.gilson@audubon.org or South Texas Range Ecologist Sarah Galvan at sarah.galvan@audubon.org.  

The Audubon Conservation Ranching Program is funded in part by the Dixon Water Foundation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.