As Texas’s water supplies become increasingly scarce, good land management can play a critical role in protecting watersheds. This was the message of a recent Dallas Morning News opinion piece, “Holistic ranching essential as demand for water grows.” It was also the subject of a recent article in Lands of Texas magazine, which highlights how Dixon Ranches use holistic management to conserve water.
HMI Open Gates at Dixon Ranches this fall
Holistic Management International will host an Open Gate at Mimms Unit on September 13, 2014 and at Leo Unit on November 8, 2014. These educational events offer participants an opportunity to see from the ground up how producers are using Holistic Management to better manage risk, make better decisions, and reap the benefits of sustainable, profitable ranching. Visit HMI’s website for more information.
HMI last hosted an Open Gate at Mimms Unit in 2011.
Playa Field Day on June 24
The Ogallala Commons and Dixon Water Foundation are hosting a Playa Field Day on Tuesday, June 24, near Nazareth.
The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning at the Home Mercantile Building, 101 Second St., in Nazareth. Texas Tech researchers will lead the tour of two playas, and those attending should dress appropriately and bring bug spray. There will be opportunities to wade in ankle-deep water to observe species like tadpoles, fairy shrimp, dragonflies and damselflies. The second playa is enrolled in the USDA-NRCS Wetlands Reserve Program and demonstrates improvements conservation efforts make, according to a news release.
There is a $10 fee for a sandwich lunch and refreshments. RSVP to Darryl Birkenfeld at 806-945-2255 to ensure an accurate lunch count.
Viewing area at Mimms complete
Soon visitors to our Mimms Unit will be able to enjoy 360-degree views of the Marfa grasslands and surrounding mountains from this new hilltop viewing area, designed by Marfa’s Joey Benton. The 2.5-mile overlook trail leading to the hill will have signs with more information about sustainable ranching, grasslands, and watershed health. Stay tuned for information about a grand opening of this trail and viewing area later this summer.
Mimms featured in Marfa student media festival
The Marfa International School will be having a student art and media festival at 6:30 p.m. on June 5 at the Crowley Theater in Marfa. Their nature films, soundscapes and paintings all have ties to Mimms Unit. There will light refreshments and art on display starting at 6:30 p.m., with the the soundscapes and films starting at about 7 p.m.
Bear Creek wins Lone Star Land Steward Award
The Dixon Water Foundation’s Bear Creek Unit in Parker County has been recognized with a Lone Star Land Steward Award from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This honor was covered by The Weatherford Democrat and the Gainesville Daily Register.
TPWD also produced this feature about our work at Bear Creek:
Gainesville Daily Register features Josey Pavilion and holistic management
Gainesville reporter Kit Chase has two articles in this week’s Daily Register about the Dixon Water Foundation.
“We’re grass farmers basically as well as raising cattle and sheep. We’re (also) raising our native grasses. We like to create an environment where there’s enough diversity for all of our animals. We take very good care of our land,” Dixon Water Foundation treasurer Melissa Bookhout says in the article, “Cooke County ranchers practice holistic land management.” The article focuses on the foundation’s Lone Star Land Steward Award, in addition to giving an overview of our grazing methods at Leo and Pittman Units
The second article, “Living Building’ soon to be complete,” features the new Josey Pavilion.
Cooke County ranchers practice holistic land management – See more at: http://www.gainesvilleregister.com/local/x360418990/Cooke-County-ranchers-practice-holistic-land-management#sthash.542yZz7S.dpuf
Wildflower tours at Bear Creek and Pittman ranches in May
The Nature Conservancy’s Jim Eidson will be leading wildflower tours at Bear Creek Unit on May 4, and at Pittman Unit on May 24. Visit the Native Prairies Association website for more information about the Pittman tour, and this Facebook post to learn more about the Bear Creek tour.
Pavilion’s wastewater treatment system featured in Leaf Litter
As our Josey Pavilion nears completion, the innovative wastewater treatment system in this “Living Building” was featured in Biohabitats’ Leaf Litter newsletter. Scroll down to the article titled “Ranchers Walk the Talk of Sustainability.”
Odessa American reports “Good News” of Dixon endowment at Sul Ross
Odessa’s newspaper featured the Dixon Water Foundation’s endowment at Sul Ross State University. The $1.2-million gift will fund the creation of a new degree program in sustainable ranch management.
