2006 Land Steward Award

The Ranch utilizes a variety of tools such as grazing, prescribed fire, and multiple mechanical methods to improve the plant and animal diversity on the area. Habitat management practices have had a positive influence on plant diversity and plant community vigor and health. Rare plants such as fragrant sumac have been documented on the area and climax plant communities of little bluestem and side oats grama are increasing in abundance.

Historical stocking rates have been decreased and the grazing system implemented on the ranch is centered on using cattle as a tool to create and manage the habitat the ranch provides for wildlife.

Prescribed fire is used to accomplish brush control, rejuvenate rangeland and improve plant diversity. By 2005 over 1,500 acres have been treated.

Mechanical methods such as aeration, dozing, chaining, and root plowing are implemented in areas sof severe brush invasion to achieve plant diversity, followed by reseeding efforts including desirable browse plants such as Texas Kidneywood.

As a cooperator under the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, approximately 100 acres of shallow water wetlands in the San Antonio river bottom have been established for the benefit of waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, and other wetland-dependent species.

Lantana Ridge Ranch has always made special efforts in organizing youth hunts and family-oriented recreation offering, fishing and hunting opportunities. The goal is centered on providing visitors a friendly and comfortable visit, experiencing native animals in their native habitat.

The ranch also cooperates with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Natural Resource Conservation Service in programs such as the Managed Lands Deer Permit Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Both of which assist the ranch to achieve and maintain healthy white-tailed deer populations and complete erosion control practices, reseeding efforts, and brush control on selected sites.