TEXAS FARM AND RANCH LANDS CONSERVATION PROGRAM: 2020 EVALUATION REPORT

REPORT IN BRIEF

The vast expanse of Texas lends itself to encompass some of the most diverse and ecologically rich landscapes in the United States. Much of the land is characterized as open-space and falls under the designation of privately-owned working lands, or farms, ranches, and forestlands that support agricultural systems, foster healthy environments, and support recreational and other intrinsic needs. Despite their importance, working lands in Texas are under threat of increasing land conversion and fragmentation pressure, due in large part to rapid population growth and rising land market values.

To help safeguard the public benefits derived from working lands, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program (TFRLCP) in 2005, with the purpose of funding agricultural conservation easements on private lands. Conservation easements are a voluntary tool that support the permanent conservation of private lands—through perpetually restricting development rights on contracted properties while enabling the continuation of agricultural practices. The goal of this report was to examine the ecological and economic values of conservation easements executed under the TFRLCP. Results suggest protection of working lands enrolled through the program resulted in a high rate of return for Texas taxpayers.

AUTHORS

ALISON LUND, GARRETT POWERS, ROEL LOPEZ, ADDIE SMITH, LORI OLSON, LUCAS GREGORY