Since 2013, El Mesteño Ranch, has focused on the preservation, education, research, and enjoyment of the Tamaulipan thornscrub habitat that exists on it’s 12 acres of red, sandy soil with other plant enthusiasts, native Plant Project groups, Nonprofit organizations, and local chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist Program. Community awareness through educational presentations and field trips are just a few of the intentional steps that have been taken in an effort to help preserve and raise awareness for a habitat that is severely threatened due to land conversion.

Located in the Coastal Sand Plain Ecoregion, also known as the South Texas Sand Sheet, El Mesteño Ranch boasts a diversity of wildflowers, plants, cacti, shrubs, and trees native to the Tamaulipan thornscrub, par none. Significant efforts have been made to participate in plant surveys, plant studies, and the propagation of threatened, native plant species. Specifically, seed propagation and seed collection for increasing threatened, native plant populations and improving their subsequent genetic diversity, through the sharing of these seeds with likeminded individuals and organizations, has also been of the utmost priority and importance.

An additional area of interest and study relating to the propagation and survival of threatened native plant and cacti species at El Mesteño Ranch has focused on the reduction of animal predation of both threatened native plant and cacti species. This focus involves the design and implementation of non-lethal plant predation reduction measures and has been in progress and evolving since 2008. To date, numerous exclosures and fencing methods have been designed and successfully implemented to prevent Javelina from decimating populations of these threatened native plant and cacti species.

Going forward, El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum will continue to be dedicated to the preservation, education, research, and enjoyment of the flora that inhabit its red, sandy soils, including all of the diverse fauna that rely on the Tamaulipan thornscrub for their survival. The efforts of El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum will continue to focus on education, research, and community outreach. As a living seed bank, El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum will continue to seek out ways to contribute to reforestation projects. We hope that you will give us the opportunity to share this magical habitat with you in the future!

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Stargazing with Leah and her family the other evening, we observed Orion the Hunter.

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