HOUSTON, June 1, 2022 – The Coastal Prairie Conservancy, formerly known as Katy Prairie Conservancy, announces the donation of a conservation easement from Karl Baumgartner, a private landowner who operates a ranch in Jackson County about 15 miles northwest of Edna, Tex. This property will protect another 552 acres of riparian woodland, savannah, wetland, and grasslands in the organization’s nine-county focus area and is only about four miles from another easement held by the land trust.
Mr. Baumgartner was thrilled to enter into a partnership with the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. “My land includes multiple ecosystems like forest, meadow, Lavaca River and Chicolete Creek frontage, and all kinds of wildlife. I wanted to make sure this natural habitat is preserved forever.”
This project expands the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s footprint in its nine-county area of interest, which includes Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Jackson, Matagorda, Waller, and Wharton. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy currently protects more than 30,000 acres of land throughout the region.
“We are extremely grateful to Karl for the generous donation that protects land in our focus area,” says Mary Anne Piacentini, President & CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy. “This agreement will protect vital wetlands, grasslands, and animal habitat on the banks of the Lavaca River. It is my hope that this type of generosity will encourage other landowners to follow suit and consider the donation of a conservation easement to protect their lands from future development.”
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is proud of its conservation work and all the ways these lands benefit Texas communities. Prairie grasses absorb and hold back floodwaters while sequestering carbon. Wetlands protect our water quality and quantity. Open and connected spaces help maintain the biodiversity of the coastal prairie and provide homes for wildlife.
The name change was announced at the organization’s annual Bash earlier in May. It better reflects the expansion of Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s mission beyond the Katy Prairie.
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