A 5,000-acre Ranch Restored to Its Original Habitat

Fifty years ago, David Bamberger turned this 5500-acre ranch into one of the largest habitat restoration projects in the state of Texas. When he started, the land was completely covered with cedar, had no grass, water, or wildlife, and was considered basically unsellable.

Bamberger’s approach to restoration is based on the idea that “restoration can only happen by working with mother nature – not against it.’’ When he bought the ranch, it was so degraded and covered in cedar and brush that it was unable to hold rainwater. He cleared the cedar from the land to allow sunlight to reach the ground. Then, he planted native grasses that enabled water to be stored in aquifers. The growth of grasses and their roots allowed rainwater to sink and form an aquifer in the limestone rather than creating runoff. 

Currently, major springs of the ranch produce 3 gallons of water per minute. The water furnishes the ranch, the center, three households, and is used for agricultural.

Forty-five years ago, 50 species of birds were spotted, and today there are more than 220. Not only has the diversity of species increased but also their health and wellbeing has vastly improved. For example, now the deer on the ranch are heavier and healthier.

The African Oryx were on the verge of extinction until this project to conserve them was introduced. The project has been replicated in different zoos and conservation centers all over the world, and there is an attempt to reintroduce the Oryx to their natural habitat in Chad, Gambia and Senegal. 

Bamberger’s advice is “you don’t have to be a genius or a rocket scientist to do something like this, you just have to have a love of planet earth and the desire to perpetuate good things.” He has a small cabin on his ranch that is his perfect vantage point to indulge his love of nature. 

Jeff Green has written a wonderful book on the great works of Bamberger titled “Water from Stone: The Story of Selah”.