TITLE: Congratulating Richard Taylor of Mason on his receipt of a 2011 Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Richard Taylor of Mason on his receipt of a 2011 Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Richard Taylor of Blue Mountain Peak Ranch in Mason is receiving a 2011 Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and WHEREAS, Now in their 16th year, the Lone Star Land Steward Awards are presented annually by TPWD, the Private Lands Advisory Committee, and the Sand County Foundation in recognition of landowners across Texas for their exemplary stewardship of the state's natural resources; and WHEREAS, Blue Mountain Peak Ranch was purchased in 2001 by Richard Taylor and his wife, Sally, who has since passed away; the couple were cofounders of The Conservation Agency, a nonprofit organization devoted to the preservation of biodiversity, and after acquiring the ranch, they began to maintain its more than 830 acres in accordance with the agency's principles; and WHEREAS, Working with field biologists from TPWD, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor used prescription burns to restore the property to the condition it was in before the arrival of European settlers, thinning out the dominant Ashe Juniper trees, locally known as cedars, and allowing other native species to revive; over the past 10 years, endangered flora and fauna have returned in healthy numbers, erosion has been reduced, and dozens of springs and streams have rejuvenated and now run year-round; and WHEREAS, Mr. Taylor continues to maintain the ranch's biodiversity, and he makes the property available to hunters, hikers, photographers, birders, and mountain bikers; he hosts the Texas Youth Hunting Program each year, and he regularly invites students, other landowners, and professional naturalists to hold educational events at the ranch; and WHEREAS, The natural beauty and diverse ecology of the Texas Hill Country depend on the careful stewardship of its landowners, and through his outstanding efforts, Richard Taylor is conserving precious resources for future generations; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Richard Taylor on his receipt of a 2011 Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success in his important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Taylor as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Hilderbran Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2133 was adopted by the House on May 20, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House