Restoring What’s Native

Restoration at Spicewood Ranch means rebuilding native plant communities — one species, one season, one fire at a time. From reseeding native grasses to managing deer populations and conducting prescribed burns, each practice is part of a long-term plan to return balance to the Hill Country landscape.

Beyond active restoration, conservation ensures the ranch remains wild for generations. Through conservation easements, connected habitat, and the protection of creeks and springs, the ranch helps support the ecosystems that plants and animals depend on.

We open the ranch to students, landowners, and neighbors who want to see restoration in action. Each field tour and every visit help build an understanding of how native ecosystems function and how every person can help protect them.

Spicewood Ranch serves as a living laboratory for ecological research. For decades, scientists and students have studied how soil, fire, water and wildlife interact across restored landscapes. Their findings help shape restoration practices, here and throughout the Hill County.