Texas is known for its vast landscapes, great barbecue, and unique cowboy culture. But what many don’t know is that the Lone Star State and the traditional Texan way of life are rooted in stewarding the land, caring for animals, and conserving natural resources for future generations.
Bison are a keystone species of the prairie landscape which previously covered nearly seventy-five percent of Texas. However, due to agriculture, urbanization, and general land use changes, less than one percent of these native grasslands remain. Bison herds were an essential part of the prairie ecosystem and developed a symbiotic relationship with the prairie plant life. Bison grazing removed dead vegetation, encouraged new plant growth, and naturally fertilized the land, allowing plants to flourish.
At one time 30 to 60 million bison roamed the North American plains before they were hunted to near extinction in Texas in the late 1800s. As bison populations dwindled, cattle became the replacement. However, most ranchers at this time practiced open range grazing, and later controlled grazing, which leads to overgrazing and degradation of the soil and native grasses.
Regenerative agriculture emerged as a new way of farming and ranching that improves the overall health of the land by incorporating crop rotation, cover cropping, and minimizing synthetic pesticides and fertilizer use. This land management style improves soil fertility and allows pasture grasslands time to recover. Not only was this process a smart move for survival, but it also helped preserve resources for future generations.
Some modern farmers are recognizing the importance of proper land management and are moving back to regenerative agricultural methods that restore native grasses, reduce erosion, and reduce nutrient loss. In 2016, Brockriede Brothers & Lalk Brothers Farms won the Texas Environmental Excellence Award for Agriculture for their no-till farming practices. The brothers’ farms have been used as sites for educating children, college students, and conservation groups on strategies for water and soil conservation. More recently, Bird and Bee Farm won the Agriculture TEEA for their 100-acre conservation project that is restoring the land back to post oak savannah prairie, including 39 different species of native grasses and wildflowers.
Naturally fertilizes the soil. Cattle and other livestock distribute manure that boosts soil organic matter and nutrients and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Reduces soil erosion. Regenerative agriculture improves soil structure by maintaining ground cover and minimizing soil disturbance.
Lets plants and soil recover. Rotational grazing prevents overgrazing and allows plants to build deeper root systems.
Reduces damage from flooding and drought. As the soil structure improves from manure and increased plant growth, the ground is able to absorb more water and acts like a sponge during wet periods and reduces evaporation during dry periods.
Promotes biodiversity. Diverse ecosystems are better able to resist disease, recover from weather disturbances, and provide natural pest control and pollination.
Sequesters carbon. Pastures can become carbon sinks as the soil structure improves, biodiversity increases, and plants grow deeper systems.
Visit the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project
The Texas Tribal Buffalo Project is a nonprofit organization led by members of the Lipan Apache tribe who are working to restore the buffalo population in the Southern Plains. You can visit the ranch to learn more about their practices and how they work with nature to create a resilient and stable environment.
Buy from Your Local Regenerative Farm
Visit your local Farmers Market to find sustainably farmed meat, eggs, and dairy products. Supporting these farms and businesses helps them continue to produce high-quality food that helps people and the planet.
Convert Your Land
If you’re a ranch owner in Texas, there are tools to help you convert your land into a regenerative ranch. The Audubon Conservation Ranching program is working with ranchers across the country to restore grassland habitat by improving ranchland with regenerative grazing practices, creating ecosystem-wide benefits to wildlife, soil health, water quality, and ecosystem resiliency. Texan by Nature also has a Landowner Guide that provides resources on implementing conservation practices on your land.
