CHRISTMAS TREES FOR FISH HABITATS

Stripped of any tinsel, ornaments, garland or artificial snow products, natural Christmas trees can be sunk in lakes and ponds to create perfect fish habitats. Many local conservation groups and some government agencies will accept donated trees to create these habitats. Near Lake Texoma, for example, Texas Parks and Wildlife officials bundle donated trees together and sink them near the Arrowhead State Park fishing docks to create brush shelters.

PEC FREE CHRISTMAS TREE RECYLING

Pedernales Electric Cooperative will recycle natural, undecorated Christmas trees again this year. From Dec. 28 to Jan. 4, 2010, individuals may drop off their trees during regular business hours at PEC’s offices in Bertram, Canyon Lake, Cedar Park, Johnson City, Junction, Kyle, Lake Travis, Liberty Hill, Manchaca, Marble Falls and Oak Hill.

This free service is part of PEC’s Green Works initiative and continued conservation efforts. The Cooperative will mulch donated trees and distribute the chips to enhance and beautify playgrounds and parks in its service area. Please call PEC toll-free at 1-888-554-4732 with any questions and refer to their website for directions to offices.

WILDLIFE NEWS: SOUTH TEXAS RANCHER SETS ASIDE 1,300 ACRES FOR OCELOT

Last week, rancher Frank Yturria sold a 1,300 conservation easement on his South Texas property to help protect ocelot habitat. This easement sold to The Nature Conservancy is adjacent to three other easements Yturria already made for the ocoelot and, together, comprise one of only two documented ocelot breeding grounds in the country. According to the conservancy's website, the ocelot is the rarest cat in America, having been hunted down for its distinctive yellow and black spotted fur. Loss of habitat and collisions with automobiles also have been blamed for the declining population. (via Brownsville Herald).

To learn more about conservation easements, click here.

WILDLIFE NEWS: ILLEGALLY TRAPPED HARRIS HAWKS RETURNED TO TEXAS

Earlier in December, two Harris Hawks trapped in South Texas and illegally shipped to North Carolina, were flown home on a Delta flight from Charlotte to San Antonio. The birds, which are sometimes used in falconry, are protected by federal law. The investigation into the hawks' plight began in November when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department received a tip through its Operation Game Thief crime-stoppers program. The hawks will be released on a ranch near Laredo. via CharlotteObserver.com.

TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM (HAYS COUNTY)

The Hays County AgriLife Extension office is taking applications now for its Texas Master Naturalist Program that begins in February. For more information and application download, visit the website of the Hays County Chapter of the program by clicking here.

THE LIFE (AND WILL TO LIVE) OF PLANTS

The New York Times has a very interesting on the life (and will to live) of plants:

"...before we cede the entire moral penthouse to “committed vegetarians” and “strong ethical vegans,” we might consider that plants no more aspire to being stir-fried in a wok than a hog aspires to being peppercorn-studded in my Christmas clay pot. This is not meant as a trite argument or a chuckled aside. Plants are lively and seek to keep it that way. The more that scientists learn about the complexity of plants — their keen sensitivity to the environment, the speed with which they react to changes in the environment, and the extraordinary number of tricks that plants will rally to fight off attackers and solicit help from afar — the more impressed researchers become, and the less easily we can dismiss plants as so much fiberfill backdrop, passive sunlight collectors on which deer, antelope and vegans can conveniently graze. It’s time for a green revolution, a reseeding of our stubborn animal minds."

Read the entire interesting article on NYTimes.com.

PLATEAU ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF KEN THIGPEN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Plateau Land & Wildlife Management Announces Addition of Ken Thigpen

New team member heralds growth and expansion for this pioneering, conservation-minded land and wildlife management company

Dripping Springs, Texas – December 16, 2009 – Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, a company serving conservation-minded rural landowners since 1997, today announced that Ken Thigpen has joined the team as Director of Sales and Marketing. The addition of Thigpen, whose key experience lies in company growth and expansion for Fortune 1000 companies, heralds the future for Plateau and its team of master-level wildlife biologists, registered property tax consultants, and professional field technicians. In the coming weeks and months, the company will also be announcing progress on key conservation projects in both the Austin and San Antonio areas, as well as the addition of new team members.

Like many college graduates, Thigpen, who has a degree in Wildlife Management from Texas Tech University, found his career path took an unexpected turn. In his case, it guided him into a successful tenure in the high-tech and personal financial service industries, prior to joining Plateau.

“Plateau has given me an opportunity to not only pursue my wildlife passion, but to do so with the premier land and wildlife management company,” said Thigpen. “Plateau’s founders, David Braun and Beyrl Armstrong, are pioneers in the wildlife and conservation community, and we’re excited about playing an even bigger role in the future preservation and improvement of all Texas land.”

Thigpen also currently serves on the Texas State University, School of Business, MIS Commercial Advisory Board, as well as the school’s Computer Science, CIS Industry Advisory Board.

About Plateau Land & Wildlife Management
Founded in 1997 by wildlife and conservation experts, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management has established a peerless reputation for its service and products for rural landowners. The founders of Plateau have a long-term commitment to Wildlife Management Valuation in Texas, having worked with the Texas Legislature for more than eight years to get the alternate tax valuation into law. Today, Plateau is comprised of an experienced team of master-level biologists, registered property tax consultants, and professional field technicians dedicated to helping rural landowners protect and enhance their greatest asset -- their land -- through environmentally and financially smart wildlife and land management services. For more information on Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, call (512) 894-3479 or visit plateauwildlife.com.

AS THE END OF THE YEAR DRAWS NEAR

Have you made your Wildlife activities list and checked it twice?

If your land is in Wildlife, you've got just 2 weeks to complete your activities for the year!

As the popularity of going into Wildlife has grown, and as the intensity requirements have changed, so have the numbers of landowners who may not be meeting all of their activity requirements. Like many other landowners, you simply may not have the time or ability to complete all of your activities, leaving you at risk of losing your increasingly valuable special tax status.

That's where we can help!

Plateau Land & Wildlife Management specializes in Wildlife Management (hence the name!), and our experienced team of biologists and registered property tax consultants are available for your Wildlife needs. Whether you need help finding products, performing activities, or simply need an experienced eye to review your activities on the ground, we are prepared to help you make sure you meet your activity requirements and maintain your tax status.

The end of the year is almost here, but there is still time for qualifying activities. For example, we are currently scheduling and conducting bird surveys and have, in stock, our Plateau Water Table 55 which fulfills a 10 year credit for a Wildlife Management activity. If you have not already done so, please contact us today with questions or any other needs you might have concerning your Wildlife Management Valuation.