CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
In 1998, when the owners of Shield Ranch donated their first conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Texas, conservation easements were still new in Texas. This 4,670-acre easement on such a large and developable property near a growing metropolitan area caught the attention of landowners considering the future of their ranches and has inspired other conservation easements across the state.
A second easement, on an adjacent 1,676 acres, was sold to the City of Austin in 1999 as part of Austin’s first voter-approved bond initiative to protect water quality in the Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Over the years, voters in Austin and Travis County have continued to support open space bond programs.

Today, Shield Ranch is protected in perpetuity by these two conservation easements. Together, these agreements preclude residential subdivision and commercial development of the Ranch. They do allow the owners to create limited facilities for nonprofit use; to continue traditional activities such as ranching, hunting, and recreation; and to build a limited number of additional family residences.
Shield Ranch family and staff members are happy to share their conservation easement experience with interested landowners.
RESOURCES
One way to learn more about conservation easements is through the Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC). TLTC is a coalition of land trusts that encourages excellence in the land trust community through collaboration, education, and outreach. There are over 30 land trusts across Texas that have helped to conserve more than 1.9 million acres of farms, ranches, waterways, and wildlife habitat.
TLTC completed a study of the economic benefits of conservation easements in 2019. “Lands were assessed in terms of the services and subsequent taxpayer savings they provide for water quality, water quantity, flood prevention, and rural economies (via agricultural production and wildlife leases). Read the full report here.