Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program: 2024 evaluation report

Authors: Alison Lund, Addie Smith and Roel Lopez

Over 80% of Texas falls under the designation of privately-owned working lands. These lands represent farms, ranches and forestlands that help supply food, fiber and water, as well as provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, foster healthy environments and support human wellbeing. Despite the importance of these lands, Texas is losing about 1,000 acres a day to land development and fragmentation, due in large part to rapid population growth and rising land market values.

To help safeguard the public benefits derived from our state’s working lands, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program for the purpose of providing funding to acquire voluntary conservation easements on working lands in partnership with qualified non-profits and governmental agencies. This report examines the economic, agricultural and ecological values secured through the program as well as the financial efficiency of utilizing state funds to protect working lands from fragmentation and development.

 

 

 

 

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