Overview: Campo de Estrellas is a Green Burial Council-certified conservation cemetery outside Smithville, Texas, where natural burials help restore native prairie. Founded in 2019 by Cindy and Michael Ybarra alongside licensed funeral director Sarah Wambold, it offers natural burial, green cremated remains burials and pre-planning services—all while avoiding expensive concrete vaults and steel caskets.

For most people, a cemetery marks where life ends. At Campo de Estrellas, just outside Smithville, it is where new life begins.

Native wildflowers now bloom across land once stripped bare by decades of cattle grazing. Birds, coyotes, foxes and native pollinators have returned. Young oak and cedar elm trees are taking root. Its name, which means “Field of Stars” in Spanish, was inspired by the property’s vast, star-filled night skies.

In this vibrant, living, recovering landscape, families choose a different kind of burial—one designed to honor loved ones while restoring the land. Founded by mother and son Cindy and Michael Ybarra alongside licensed funeral director Sarah Wambold, Campo de Estrellas is a Texas conservation cemetery where every burial supports long-term land restoration.

The backstory

The idea for Campo de Estrellas began with overgrazed land, not the funeral industry.

After buying 30 acres outside Smithville, Michael and Cindy wanted to restore the property and give back to the community.

"As a family, we felt very strongly about sharing it with the world in some way—doing something to benefit both people and nature," Cindy said.

Introduced through a mutual friend, the three saw an opportunity to transform 10 of the property’s 30 acres into a place where conservation and end-of-life care could coexist. With Wambold’s funeral expertise and a shared commitment to protecting the land, they launched Campo de Estrellas in 2019.

What is a conservation cemetery?

In short, a conservation cemetery is a burial ground designed to preserve and heal the land while serving as a place of memory and meaning.

A conservation cemetery is a natural burial ground that permanently protects the surrounding land while allowing bodies to decompose naturally. Instead of manicured lawns, concrete vaults or chemical preservation, the land is intentionally restored as a functioning ecosystem.

At Campo de Estrellas, natural decomposition returns nutrients to the soil, supporting native plant growth and wildlife.

"When a body is returned to the earth naturally, soil microorganisms break down organic material and return those nutrients to the ecosystem," Wambold said. "That process supports plant growth, restores soil health and allows the land itself to become part of the healing process."

Conservation burials also eliminate the steep financial and environmental costs of conventional funerals, which often require thousands of dollars for vaults, steel caskets and synthetic padding.

A meaningful way to say goodbye

While Campo de Estrellas was founded to restore the land, the experience often changes the way families say goodbye.

Rather than simply attending a service, loved ones are invited to take an active role in the burial—helping lower the casket or shroud and, if they choose, filling the grave by hand. Michael recalls one family that spent hours shoveling soil over their father's grave together, turning the physical act into a final expression of love and care.

"You could tell it was so cathartic for them," he said. "People are working through a lot of heavy emotions, and being able to do that physical work in a quiet, natural setting gives families a comforting, tangible way to say goodbye."

Surrounded by native grasses, wildflowers and birdsong, the peaceful setting offers families a chance to reflect, grieve and honor their loved one in a way that feels deeply connected to nature.

Beyond the burial

Campo de Estrellas' mission extends well beyond providing a final resting place. Through educational events and community partnerships, the team helps more people understand conservation burial while fostering a deeper appreciation for the land itself.

In addition to cemetery services, Campo de Estrellas regularly hosts workshops that introduce visitors to natural burial practices in a welcoming, hands-on environment. Community members can learn about shroud wrapping, see what a natural burial service looks like firsthand, and explore what a conservation burial service looks like before ever needing to make end-of-life decisions.

The cemetery also partners with organizations such as TreeFolks to help with reforestation efforts and the Central Texas Mycological Society to host guided nature walks and seasonal events that highlight the property's native plants, wildlife and ongoing rewilding efforts. ly, it became the third cemetery in Texas to be certified as a Natural Burial Cemetery with the Green Burial Council, an organization that provides standards for green burial practitioners across the country.

And while Campo de Estrellas is nonsectarian and welcomes families of all faiths (or none), it is proud to have received grant support from the Episcopal Church's Care of Creation initiative, which funds projects connecting environmental stewardship with community care.

Want to learn more or tour?

Whether chosen for environmental protection, deep personal beliefs or the peace of returning directly to nature, Campo de Estrellas represents a quiet shift in how Central Texans approach end-of-life care. By choosing a final resting place that restores the earth rather than consumes it, families leave behind a living legacy—a healthier prairie, thriving wildlife habitats and a piece of Texas protected for generations to come.

If you are interested in pre-planning, exploring natural burial options or scheduling a visit to walk the property, here is everything you need to get in touch:

A quick recap FAQ

What is a conservation cemetery?

A conservation cemetery is a natural burial ground that permanently protects the surrounding land while allowing bodies to return to the earth through natural decomposition, restoring native plants, wildlife habitat and soil health instead of maintaining a traditional manicured lawn cemetery.

Where is Campo de Estrellas located?

Campo de Estrellas is located on 10 acres of restored prairie just outside Smithville, Texas.

Who founded Campo de Estrellas?

Campo de Estrellas was founded in 2019 by mother-and-son team Cindy and Michael Ybarra alongside licensed funeral director Sarah Wambold, combining land, funeral expertise and a shared conservation vision.

Is Campo de Estrellas certified?

Yes. Campo de Estrellas is certified by the Green Burial Council, the national organization that sets standards for natural burial practices, making it one of only three certified natural burial cemeteries in Texas.

What services does Campo de Estrellas offer?

Campo de Estrellas offers natural burials, cremated remains burials and pre-planning services, along with educational workshops on shroud wrapping, mock burial demonstrations, and guided nature walks with partners like the Central Texas Mycological Society.

How can I schedule a tour of Campo de Estrellas?

You can schedule a tour by visiting campodeestrellas.co/contact, calling 414-416-9840 or emailing [email protected].

The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.