The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) announced Thursday that it is spending $25 million — some of which is taxpayer money — to purchase land for conservation in Central Texas.
A total of 515 acres of land will be added to Honey Creek State Natural Area near San Antonio, according to a June 22 news release by TPWD. The funds will come from a combination of private donations, state appropriations for land acquisitions, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
David Yoskowitz, executive director of TPWD, said the purchase was made possible through a combined effort.
“This acquisition is a wonderful example of what we can achieve through public-private partnerships and conservation-minded landowners who want to help preserve the last, best places in Texas for future generations,” said Yoskowitz, per the press release. “We could not have accomplished this without the assistance of The Nature Conservancy and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation in partnership with Ronnie and Terry, who wanted to see their family land create a legacy for the greater good.”
Landowner Ronnie Urbanczyk, one of the parties to the acquisition, is excited more land will be protected and that state parks are growing.
“This sale marks a new era for Honey Creek Ranch, and we are confident that it will be in good hands under the careful stewardship of Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy,” Urbanczyk said, per the press release. “We are gratified that the state of Texas and its residents will have the opportunity to enjoy this pristine piece of land as we have cherished it for the past three decades.”
Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin said many benefits will come from the conservation of Honey Creek.
“Together with the adjacent Guadalupe River State Park, these protected lands encompass nearly 5,000 acres of habitat that sustain plants and wildlife, benefit water quality and provide opportunities for people to spend time in nature,” said Franklin, per the news release. “It will be our privilege to plan for a future of family picnics, nature walks and educational programming that will support stewardship of this special place.”
Home to the largest cave system in Texas, Honey Creek has many species of endangered animals, such as the Comal blind salamander, golden-cheeked warbler, and black-capped vireo. Honey Creek also has at least six invertebrates which can only be found in a few caves in Central Texas.
The cave system helps provide 2 million Texas residents with drinking water by acting as a drainage site for the Edwards Aquifer.
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