A Family Ranch With a Conservation Mission
The 1,100-acre Spicewood Ranch represents one of the longest-standing, multi-generational initiatives aimed at preserving and restoring the Texas Hill Country ranchland to its original state.
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Conserving and Restoring the Land for Future Generations
Spicewood Ranch is dedicated to protecting, restoring, and showcasing the natural beauty of the Hill Country. Through education, demonstration, and research partnerships, the ranch inspires others to pursue their own restoration efforts by demonstrating what can be achieved with practical land management practices and patience.
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From Ranchland to Restoration
Acquired by the Harte family in 1972, the original 280 acres of ranchland were typical of most of the Texas Hill Country. The native landscape had been dramatically altered by years of cattle grazing and fire suppression. It was dominated by cedar, mesquite, prickly pear cactus, and invasive grasses, and many of the formerly native plants and grasses had been grazed away.
In 1988, Kay Wagenknecht Harte, a landscape architect and native plant enthusiast, began a restoration management effort and enlisted David Mahler, a restoration biologist, to lead it. The ranch soon became a testing ground for restoration practices, including prescribed burns, seeding native plants and wildflowers, managing deer populations, and monitoring results. Today, after numerous land acquisitions, the 1,100-acre Spicewood Ranch stands as one of the Hill Country’s longest-running private restoration efforts, serving as a model for landowners in the Texas Hill Country.
1100 Acres of Diverse Hill Country Habitat
Situated west of Austin along the intermittent Alligator Creek, between the Colorado River and Texas Highway 71, Spicewood Ranch encompasses prairies, oak savannas, riparian woodlands, and limestone cliffs. These areas are being protected and restored through decades of gradual but consistent efforts. The varied terrain serves as both a sanctuary for wildlife and a living classroom for ecological restoration.
Awards and Recognition
Restoration History
1972
Chris Harte and his brother Will, convince their father and uncle to purchase the initial 280-acres of land Spicewood to try their hand at ranching.
1984
Chris marries Kay Wagenknecht, who has a vision to restore the Spicewood ranchland to its once native state. Chis purchases the land from his family members and begins to acquire adjacent properties.
1988
Kay recruits a friend and colleague, David Mahler, to lead the effort to re-introduce native plants and begin to restore the ecological balance of the ranch, which has now grown to 545 acres.
Early 1990s
The first prescribed burns are conducted on the ranch, and enclosed test plots are introduced to study habitat recovery. Most of the remaining cattle are removed.
1997
The ranch grows to over 800 acres, extending restoration work across prairies, oak savannas, and riparian corridors. Kay passes away after 3 brave years fighting cancer, but her legacy of restoration and conservation continue.
Early 2000s
After some 30 land acquisitions, the ranch exceeds 1000 acres. Decades of restoration work show visible results as wildlife management practices, native seed harvesting and planting, invasive species management, and prescribed burns continue.
2010s
The ranch receives Texas Parks and Wildlife Lone Star Land Steward Award in 2018, and in 2019 Travis Audubon recognizes Chris Harte with the Victor Emanual Conservation Hero Award.
2020s
In 2021, 561 acres of the ranch are put into a conservation easement ensuring its permanent protection. Research collaborations and educational programs are launched to promote the next generation of land stewards.
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Working Together for a Healthier Hill Country
Collaboration is central to our achievements. We work with organizations such as the Hill Country Conservancy, Environmental Survey Consulting, Travis Audubon, and the Texas Native Prairie Society to broaden our impact and share research insights.
Hill Country Conservancy
Hill Country Conservancy preserves vital natural resources through conservation, community collaboration, and engagement to sustain the Hill Country region now and forever. HCC holds the conservation easement for 561 acres of Spicewood Ranch.
Environmental Survey
Consulting Environmental Survey Consulting is dedicated to restoring and preserving the remarkable diversity of the Central Texas landscape. ESC is our primary partner in restoration management.
Travis Audubon
Travis Audubon is an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society whose mission is to inspire conservat
Native Prairies Association of Texas
Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) is a non-profit land trust dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native prairies, savannas, and other grasslands in Texas. As a member of NPAT, we are part of a statewide community that conserves and restores native prairies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Spicewood Ranch is a privately owned 1100-acre ranch in Spicewood, Texas focused on the restoration of native grasslands, prairies, and oak savannas.
Spicewood Ranch is located in Spicewood, Texas approximately 40 miles northwest of Austin, and 15 miles southeast of Marble Falls.
Restoration work has been overseen by David Mahler, and the team at Environmental Survey Consulting Group. Burns are conducted with the help of volunteers, some who have been helping at the ranch for years.
The ranch is not open to the public on a regular basis, but offers a variety of botany, birding, and restoration management tours every spring and fall.
If you are interested in arranging a tour for a particular group or organization, please use the “contact us” form.
Tours typically include visits to restored prairies and savannas, as well as examples of the ranch flora before restoration began, a stop at the seed barn, and a walk along the banks of Alligator creek.
Restoration, Conservation, Inspiration
Restoration isn’t just about land — it’s about people who love and care for it. Whether you’re a neighbor, researcher or volunteer—your curiosity and care will help this place thrive.