PLATEAU LAND AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT NEWS: ECOLAB Q&A WITH STUART KENSINGER

Interviewed by Kelly Louque

The Texas EcoLab Program is a compelling and cost-effective choice for property that offers an alternative to the minimum of 5 years of grazing or farming typically required for properties to qualify for favorable Ag tax rates. The program pairs conservation-minded landowners with researchers from various universities (University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, Trinity, Texas State, University of Houston, University of Texas at San Antonio, and others). This pairing provides landowners with substantial tax savings and researchers with habitats suitable for their particular areas of study as well as much needed grants to further important scientific research. We recently spoke with one such conservation-minded landowner and EcoLab client, Stuart Kensinger, about his EcoLab experience. Beyond tax incentives, Kensinger found it a unique opportunity to improve his land stewardship and share the experience with his son. Through the EcoLab program, father and son were able to work with and learn more about his land from experts such as Gary Voelker, Assistant Professor and Curator of Birds at Texas A&M University, and Emily McTavish, a graduate student of biological sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.

How did you find out about EcoLab?
"Through Cassie (Gresham) and Shane (Kiefer). I was looking into alternatives for properties that didn't have an Agriculture valuation."

How did you decide that using your land as an Ecological laboratory was the right decision for you?
"It was less of a tax issue and more of a stewardship issue. I wanted to be more responsible with the land."

What type of research was conducted on your property?
"Let's see, there were so many. I guess the most memorable ones were the bird study (with Gary Voelker) and a compelling study on salamanders involving DNA evolutionary studies and work on impacts of rain and flooding (with Emily McTavish). We got very involved with these studies and participated in the field work."

How many acres were devoted to EcoLab/used for research?
"All 493 acres of our land was used."

What are some of the benefits you have received from having your land used as an Ecolab?
"There was the benefit of letting the researchers work. I also loved sharing in the field work and spending time with my son (Philip) who also got involved. He really liked acting as the tour guide, showing the researchers the land. Another great benefit was that we began to understand our land better. My son (and I) also began to appreciate and experience the land in a different way."

How would you rate your overall EcoLab experience?
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat! My only regret is that my current location doesn't allow me to spend as much time interacting with the process as I would like. In fact, I'm continuing with Ecolab."

How was it working with the researchers?
"It was a wonderful experience. They always offered to let us participate in the field work. Emily (McTavish) enabled Philip to see so much more than what was on the ground. He was amazed at what was really there. He would look down and see a rock, she would pick it up and show him all the many different things living under the rock. It was a huge life lesson, showing him (and me) how to see more than what was just in front of him. He learned to see more of what was in the world."

Would you recommend that other landowners participate in this program?
"Absolutely! In fact, I'm working to get more of my neighbors involved in the program."

What are/were your goals for the property? Why was the EcoLab program a good fit for your property?
"My original goal was to convert my land into wildlife management, but I realized that was just a start. Now my goal is to become a better steward (of the land)."

Please describe your experience working with the team at Braun & Gresham.
"It has been a delight. The work is thorough and complete. It's very pleasant to work with the firm. The way the firm has handled the process has helped me to continue in EcoLab even after converting to wildlife management."

Learn more about EcoLab on the Braun & Gresham website.