ADVENTURES IN WILDLIFE: STRATEGIC PLANNING (OR BEYOND THE VALUATION AND THE BRUSH PILE)

By Kameron Bain, Plateau Business Development

For the summer issue of Seasons, Plateau Land & Wildlife Management pulled me away from my desk for one day and bravely tossed me into the world of brush management. Working with our fantastic team of field technicians, and benefiting greatly from the remarkable patience of Plateau Ecologist Eric Wallgren, I came away from the experience a bit scratched up but infinitely wiser as to how Plateau takes the scientific knowledge of our biologists and their recommendations to practical, on the ground application. As the field techs haven't been clamoring for a return of my cedar dragging skills, I was presented a new chance to learn more about Plateau's services away from my desk. I was given the opportunity to be a part of the creation of a Texas ranch family's strategic plan for their land - certainly one of the most exciting of my Plateau adventures, and infinitely less scratchy.

For more then 10 years, Plateau has been known as experts in wildlife management valuation. It is safe to say that making the switch from agriculture to wildlife is why many people know of us. Most of my conversations about Plateau during my three-year tenure at the company have revolved around how to make the switch to wildlife management valuation, or the wildlife management valuation process, or the yearly activities required to keep wildlife management valuations current. My new adventure, however, allowed me to witness the full impact of wildlife management valuation from tax benefits to land benefits and, ultimately, to landowner enjoyment.

Over the past month, I had the privilege of working with a Plateau team of sales and biologists assisting a Hill Country family create a strategic plan to protect and enhance their land for future generations. Having owned several thousand acres of property over several generations, this family holds near and dear its Texas land legacy. As I listened to various family members speak about their land, their love for it was palpable. And for as much pride as they took in the land itself, an equal amount was given to the fact that they had kept the land in the family for so many generations. Now, this otherwise private family wanted to share with the public the love, peace, relaxation and serenity they get from their land, while being a role model of good land stewardship and conservation for other Texas ranch families. To successfully reach these goals and their dreams for the future, smart, strategic planning was needed.

Enter Plateau.

Building a strategic plan is a daunting task, especially when it involves family, family dynamics, and the land that owns heart and soul. It is an intricate process involving discussion, debate, research and a whole lot of mind power. Most people do not even know where to begin. This is where Plateau was able to help by taking the family step by step through the process, leading the family through much needed discussion and debate. The Plateau team has a carefully considered and crafted set of questions to discover ultimate vision, mission, values, and goals as well as the bottom line budget -- vitally crucial steps that are often missed. Plateau also reviews the history and resources of the land, where the family is now, and where they want to go to help direct the family in reaching their ultimate goals. Listening to the discussions, debates, arguments, and agreements was eye-opening, bringing this "client file" to vivid reality for me.

As I listened and learned, it was clear that one of the most important goals to come out of this often emotional process is to determine exactly what the family wants to achieve with their land - what enterprise do they really want to pursue? Like most families, financial security is a main concern. In the process, this particular family learned that their piece of paradise had a lot to offer and, if done well, could keep the family secure for years to come. During the two in-person meetings with the family, they were able to better grasp what enterprises excited them and fit within their goals. Initially begun with trepidation, the planning sessions helped relieve fears and bring excitement to the family when considering the opportunities ahead.

I found myself excited as well. Excited and surprised by how inspirational and insightful it was working directly with a family that valued their land and respected it for its beauty and legacy, how they genuinely wanted to share that love for the land with other people. It was uplifting to hear how the family not only wanted to protect their proud family legacy and provide for future generations, but to also be a symbol of conservation.

I very much appreciate Plateau allowing me to play a part in the future of this special Texas land. And if the team needs me to drag cedar to bring that family's vision to reality, just point me to the brush pile.