Research Rooted in Stewardship
Spicewood Ranch is beginning to expand its research partnerships with universities and other organizations that want to study restoration, land management and the natural world in all its forms. Current projects with St. Edward’s University and The University of Texas at Austin demonstrate how the ranch can support meaningful scientific work while also sharing knowledge that benefits land stewards across the Hill Country and beyond. We welcome collaboration with researchers, educators, and conservation groups and encourage any organization with a scientific study in mind to reach out to us.
University Partnerships
Since 2021, Spicewood Ranch has partnered with St. Edward's University ecologists Amy Concilio, Ph.D., and Kimberly O'Keefe, Ph.D. to study how native and invasive grass species respond to extreme drought, and how grassland restoration affects biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Across 30 research plots, some receiving normal rainfall, others simulating drought conditions, students collect data on plant species composition and physiological performance, microclimate, and soil chemistry to understand how land managers can maintain healthy ecosystems in the face of climate change. The ranch serves as a living laboratory where classroom science meets real-world conservation.
Spicewood Ranch hosts an active research plot for UT Austin Integrative Biology professor Brian Sedio, Ph.D., whose work explores how plant chemistry shapes forest biodiversity. His lab applies metabolomics, the study of plant chemical compounds, to understand how native plants defend themselves against herbivores and pathogens, and how those chemical defenses influence which species survive and coexist. Through this partnership, Spicewood Ranch contributes to the Smithsonian's Forest GEO network, a global system of 78 forest research sites on five continents that monitor the growth and survival of millions of trees across nearly 13,000 species worldwide.
News & Insights
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.