We promote the advancement of land stewardship through ranching, science, and education.

Ranching Heritage
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STUDENTS Impacted
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RESEARCH Projects
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TRUSTED PARTNERS
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Our Why

To develop and promote land stewardship practices and improve ranch productivity while conserving wildlife and native rangelands for future generations.   

LAND STEWARDSHIP
RESEARCH | LAND MANAGEMENT | POLICY

Advancing land stewardship is at the heart of everything we do. 

Our goal is to operate an efficient and sustainable ranching enterprise where healthy rangelands support livestock production and wildlife populations, optimizing the long-term value of a South Texas ranch.  

We direct our efforts toward a sustainable and productive ranching operation. Sustainable systems consider the environmental (rangeland health, ecosystem services), economic (value, profitability), and social (human capital, community, consuming public) dimensions and consequences of decisions. 

Embracing a ‘management by experiment’ mindset, we’re constantly seeking innovative approaches to maximize the long-term value of our ranches. This might involve testing new grazing systems, implementing water conservation technologies, or exploring alternative energy development. By systematically evaluating these methods, we continually refine our practices.

Ultimately, the long-term value of the ranch is our benchmark of stewardship and sustainability. Good stewardship means increasing the long-term value of the asset over time, across generations. 

Our land is a working laboratory where scientists and managers work together to address issues important to wildlife management, rangeland health, and ranch productivity. We ensure that ranching and wildlife management work together to conserve healthy rangelands.

Across our enterprise, our management philosophy is rooted in comprehensive understanding of our land, resources, and operations. This knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions that benefit both the ecosystem and our productivity.

Our science program’s purpose is to enable better decision making by land stewards. We embrace a ‘management by experiment’ mindset, constantly seeking innovative approaches to maximize the long-term value of our ranches. This might involve documentation of vegetation, soil, and weather, management of key wildlife species, or novel approaches to threatened and endangered species management. By systematically evaluating these methods, we continually refine our practices.

Developing future leaders is a core part of our mission. Our Behind the GatesSM program advances land stewardship using a hands-on, science-based curriculum that demonstrates how working ranches provide the needs of both people and wildlife. 

We use our ranchlands and abundant natural resources to build conservation-minded leaders through programs that introduce students of all ages to land stewardship. We invest in future professionals through internships, graduate fellowships, and close engagements with university programs. 

We engage students in the classroom, on the land, and in partnership with like-minded partners who seek to connect students to the land.

Our Why

To develop and promote land stewardship practices for improve ranch productivity while conserving wildlife and native rangelands for future generations.

LAND STEWARDSHIP
RESEARCH | LAND MANAGEMENT | POLICY

Advancing land stewardship is at the heart of everything we do. 

Our goal is to operate an efficient and sustainable ranching enterprise where healthy rangelands support livestock production and wildlife populations, optimizing the long-term value of a South Texas ranch.  

We direct our efforts toward a sustainable and productive ranching operation. Sustainable systems consider the environmental (rangeland health, ecosystem services), economic (value, profitability), and social (human capital, community, consuming public) dimensions and consequences of decisions. 

Embracing a ‘management by experiment’ mindset, we’re constantly seeking innovative approaches to maximize the long-term value of our ranches. This might involve testing new grazing systems, implementing water conservation technologies, or exploring alternative energy development. By systematically evaluating these methods, we continually refine our practices.

Ultimately, the long-term value of the ranch is our benchmark of stewardship and sustainability. Good stewardship means increasing the long-term value of the asset over time, across generations. 

Our land is a working laboratory where scientists and managers work together to address issues important to wildlife management, rangeland health, and ranch productivity. We ensure that ranching and wildlife management work together to conserve healthy rangelands.

Across our enterprise, our management philosophy is rooted in comprehensive understanding of our land, resources, and operations. This knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions that benefit both the ecosystem and our productivity.

Our science program’s purpose is to enable better decision making by land stewards. We embrace a ‘management by experiment’ mindset, constantly seeking innovative approaches to maximize the long-term value of our ranches. This might involve documentation of vegetation, soil, and weather, management of key wildlife species, or novel approaches to threatened and endangered species management. By systematically evaluating these methods, we continually refine our practices.

Developing future leaders is a core part of our mission. Our Behind the GatesSM program advances land stewardship using hands-on, science-based curriculum that demonstrates how working ranches provide the needs of both people and wildlife. 

We use our ranchlands and abundant natural resources to build conservation-minded leaders through programs that introduce students of all ages to land stewardship. We invest in future professionals through internships, graduate fellowships, and close engagements with university programs. 

We engage students in the classroom, on the land, and in partnership with like-minded partners who seek to connect students to the land.

Land Stewardship &
Management Projects

Our land and our ranching operations are at the heart of our research and education programs.

Better
Decision Making

Explore our groundbreaking scientific research that bridges the gap between ranching and conservation, driving sustainable land management practices in South Texas and beyond.

Land Stewardship & Management

Wildlife Management & Conservation Projects

Livestock Production & Ranch Management Projects

Developing Future
Leaders

Discover how our innovative educational programs are inspiring the next generation of land stewards and conservation leaders through hands-on experiences in South Texas.

Resources

There's More to Explore!

We’re working to enhance and enable effective decision-making. Find out how we do it.

2024 Presentation and Publication Report

Temporal Relationships of Breeding Landbirds and Productivity on a Working Landscape

Perspectives on Agricultural Research Organizations: A New Tool for Agricultural Research and Land Stewardship

Determining the Age Classes of Free-ranging Female Nilgai in Southern Texas, USA

Hematology and Biochemical Reference Intervals and Seroprevalence of Hemorrhagic Diseases for Free-Ranging Mule Deer in West Texas

Long Live the Cat: Ocelot Population Viability in a Planned Reintroduced Population in Texas, USA

Pryric-carnivory: Predation of a Texas Tortoise by a Crested Caracara Following a Prescribed Fire

Quails from Rangeland Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Hematology and Biochemical Reference Intervals for Free-ranging Pronghorn in West Texas

Semen Collection and Characterization of Normative Reproductive Traits in Free-ranging Wild Ocelots and Bobcats in Southern Texas

Keeping Antibiotics Effective – Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance in U.S. Agriculture

Fine-scale Phenotypic Variation of a Large Herbivore in a Pulsed Environment

Nesting Success and Food Habits of Breeding White-Tailed Hawks in South Texas

Physiological Carry-over Effects of Variable Precipitation are Mediated by Reproductive Status in a Long-lived Ungulate

Reproductive Capabilities of Female Nilgai in Southern Texas

To accomplish our mission we think long term, ask big questions, and seek data-supported answers that allow land stewards and managers to make more informed decisions.

Neal Wilkins, President & CEO

UPCOMING EVENTS

Cattle lined up in a pasture at San Antonio Viejo Ranch in South Texas.
April 11, 2025

Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo 2025

Aerial view of San Antonio Viejo Ranch in South Texas with green brush and a dirt road in the left corner.
May 8, 2025

Texas Outdoorsman of the Year

Our Supporters

We couldn't do what we do without y'all.

Our partners and sponsors make our work possible through their generosity. Join them in supporting our mission.

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