Land Management
Since its inception, the BCA has been working with landowners in the Bandera Canyonlands region interested in protecting, preserving, and enhancing their properties.
Wildlife Management
A number of BCA members have obtained and maintain a wildlife tax exemption and manage their properties for the benefit of wildlife. The primary activities include brush management, prescribed fire, feral hog control, and white-tailed deer management.
Since September 2008, ten BCA members have been participating in a Landowner Incentive Program (LIP)-funded project, which includes the implementation of brush thinning to enhance Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat and prescribed fire to restore and enhance Black-capped Vireo habitat.
In addition, several BCA members manage their land for the benefit of songbirds, with a focus on the two endangered birds, the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo. In the early years, Environmental Defense Fund and its consultants conducted yearly breeding bird surveys to monitor the diversity and abundance of resident and migratory species. In addition, some BCA landowners operate traps each spring for the brood parasitic cowbird.
Wildlife Tax Exemption
A wildlife exemption is an alternative type of agricultural exemption that lets property owners keep their property taxes low by performing activities aimed at helping native Texas wildlife rather than, or alongside, traditional agriculture uses.
A property that enjoys a wildlife exemption, regardless of size, is part of the six million acres in Texas currently being managed to preserve open spaces and lower property taxes — while increasing property aesthetics and property value.
For over 20 years, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management has been helping landowners in the Bandera Canyonlands region turn their open space land into private, beautiful, tax-advantaged wildlife property. The founders of Plateau Land & Wildlife Management helped pass the original legislation that enables a wildlife exemption for qualifying properties and helped write the implementing regulations for the law. The organization has assisted more than 3,900 landowners switch their ranches, farms, or timberland to easier-to-maintain wildlife property. For more information visit: www.plateauwildlife.com.
Wildlife Exemption Resources:
land Conservation & Stewardship
The BCA believes owning acreage in the Bandera Canyonlands comes with a responsibility to preserve natural areas for wild animals, birds, and pollinators who are losing their habitat through development and excessive land clearing. Please visit the RESOURCES page to find links to help guide landowners toward effective and responsible land stewardship to enhance the beauty of their property while maintaining the habitat for the species who live there.