The bigger picture
Together, the agreements bring the CPC’s total preserved land to 33,607 acres across the nine-county Houston area, according to the release. Of that, 19,330 is part of the contiguous Katy Prairie Preserve.
The land preservation marks a "milestone" for land conservation amid development in the area, Mary Anne Piacentini, president and CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, said in the release.
“By safeguarding an additional 1,329 acres, we are not only advancing our mission to protect the natural heritage of our area but also ensuring long-lasting benefits for both people and wildlife,” she said in the release. “These natural spaces will serve as vital resources for generations to come.”
The details
Both of the properties, which are owned by private residents, are located in Waller County. One of the two plots of land, amounting to 419 acres, is located contiguous to the Katy Prairie Preserve, CPC Development and Communications Associate Katie Sierra said in an email.
Protecting the land surrounding the Katy Prairie Preserve is critical to the CPC, previously called the Katy Prairie Conservancy, as land prices and development pressure increase in the Katy area, said Elisa Donovan, vice president and general counsel of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy.
“We have been working as an organization to protect the contiguous Katie Prairie Preserve for over 30 years, and adding this acreage is critical to make sure that contiguous area remains protected forever,” she said.
Meanwhile, the other 910-acre property is located along the Brazos River. The land is undergoing a habitat restoration, Donovan said.
“It’s a big asset as you can imagine—910 acres anywhere in Waller County is an important family asset to the landowner,” she said. “So to make these decisions takes a lot of time and effort.”
How it works
The CPC conserves land through several means, including land purchase, land donation and conservation agreements. With the rising cost of land in the Katy area, conservation agreements where the landowner retains their property, are "a huge part the puzzle," Donovan said.
The agreement includes conservation requirements for the landowner that limit development and require maintenance or restoration of natural amenities. Meanwhile, the CPC will retain easement access to the properties even if it changes owners, Donovan said.
What’s next
Landowners interested in conserving land can contact the organization at [email protected], according to the release.
