Featured Article: Making History with Texas Water Trust

I'm honored that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department featured our ranch in their announcement about the first water rights dedication to the Texas Water Trust in nearly 20 years. You can read the full press release—"Texas Accepts First Dedication of Water Rights for Environmental Protection in 20 Years"—which explains the significance of our partnership with The Nature Conservancy.

When we first started working with The Nature Conservancy during the 2011 drought, we had no idea we'd be part of making Texas conservation history. But that's exactly what happened when TNC dedicated the water rights they purchased from us to the Texas Water Trust—the first dedication by a nonprofit organization and the first in 20 years.

Why This Matters

As Texas Parks and Wildlife explains, our 200 acre-feet per year commitment will help conserve Big Cypress Bayou and support the native fish and mussels that depend on it. This includes our successful paddlefish reintroduction project that's now the only one of its kind in the world.

But what makes me most proud is how TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz put it: "The health of our waters and the health of our state are inextricably linked." That's exactly what we believe about stewardship—it's all connected.

Building a Roadmap for the Future

In the TPWD press release, I'm quoted saying, "The time will come when this ranch will be passed on to the next generation, so we have to build a roadmap for sustainability and profitability." That roadmap includes partnerships like this one that benefit both our family operation and the environment.

The Nature Conservancy's Ryan Smith says they hope our partnership "serves as a model for other organizations and private landowners." That's the kind of legacy we want—showing that working lands and conservation can support each other.

Making History in Texas Conservation

What strikes me about this Texas Parks and Wildlife coverage is how they position our work in the broader context of Texas water conservation. We're not just helping our local ecosystem—we're part of a statewide effort to ensure there's enough water for everyone while protecting the natural resources that make Texas special.

Being the first nonprofit dedication to the Texas Water Trust in two decades feels pretty significant when you see it written out like that.

Read the complete Texas Parks and Wildlife press release here to understand the full scope of what this water rights dedication means for Texas conservation.

Learn more about our conservation partnerships by visiting Cypress River Ranch. See firsthand how private landowners can work with state agencies and nonprofits to create lasting conservation benefits. Contact us at sanders@cypressriverranchwagyu.com to schedule your tour.