Fall 2014

The Colonel Burns Ranch Mission Statement
We will protect and conserve this land in its natural state and all that is on it, the best we
can, as long as we can, so that anyone who comes to the ranch finds it so pleasant and
rewarding that time seems to stand still.
was built in 1898 and now serves as the family library, it’s hard to
conceive that these were once ruins.
“I’m 76 years old and I was raised on this ranch,” Paul said. “Today,
I’m seeing springs run that have never run before. I’m discovering
animals, birds and arthropods that have never been here before. It
signals to me that we’re doing something right.” And others agree.
In 2012, the Colonel Burns Ranch was recognized by the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department as a Lone Star Land Steward.
Looking at the prolifically diverse ranch, it is tempting to assume
that the transition was easy. It wasn’t. While Paul had ready access
to natural resource professionals, he struggled to find other
landowners with whom he could discuss his project. Although he
was born and reared on the ranch, Paul’s vocation was medicine. In
his career, he served as physician in Vietnam, chief of staff of Austin’s
Seton Hospital, and co-founded the Austin Ear, Nose and Throat
Clinic. Land management was a brand new endeavor.
“I appreciated the expansive information from the professionals, but
I craved the perspective of other people who were on the ground,
managing their own land,” Paul said.
He is an advocate for a statewide landowner forum.
“It would be a great service to Texas, if an agency or organization
would create an opportunity for landowners to get together and
talk about what they’re doing,” he said. “There are a lot of new
landowners in Texas, who are smart and want to do the right thing,
but aren’t exactly sure what that is. Talking landowner to landowner
is a straightforward, non-intimidating way to gather information and
strengthen our stewardship network.”
Of course, Paul realizes that landowners can’t go it alone. As a
member of the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA), he has seen firsthand
the importance of a collective voice, especially when it comes
to private property rights.
“I’ve tried to testify and influence the Legislature as an individual,
but I didn’t get very far,” he said. “TWA can represent the landowners’
point of view much more professionally, efficiently and effectively
than one person standing alone. I hate to think what might happen
to Texas’ outdoor spaces and wildlife without TWA standing up on
their behalf.”
With that said, Paul values the individuality that private property
ownership in Texas affords.
“Strong private property rights ensure that our family can manage
the land the way we see fit, unique to our goals and our situation,”
Paul said. “Because of that, we’ve been able to create a one-of-a-kind
place that generations of our family call home.”
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