Contact: Martha Zeiher, Executive Director Hill Country Land Trust Phone: (830) 997-0027 [email protected] P.O. Box 1724 Fredericksburg, TX www.hillcountrylandtrust.org ! ! PRESS RELEASE Hill Country Land Trust Conserves Sandy Ranch in Blanco County Fredericksburg, TX March 16, 2015: The Hill Country Land Trust (HCLT), a non-profit land conservation group headquartered in Fredericksburg, Texas, recently worked with a landowner to conserve a 201 acre ranch in Blanco County, bringing the total of HCLT conserved acres in the Hill Country to just over 5,900 by the end of 2014. The property, located near the historic community of Sandy north of Johnson City, has been used for grazing and farming since the 1800s. The owners’ intent is to maintain the property as native rangeland for wildlife and livestock. The ranch contains portions of Hickory Creek, an important tributary of the Pedernales River and watering source for untold wildlife. HCLT recognizes the unique value of our Hill Country rivers and streams, and has prioritized the protection of those resources – particularly within the Pedernales River basin. The Pedernales River is an important water resource for the entire region through its connection to the Highland Lakes. “As the Hill Country becomes more and more fragmented, it is more important than ever to partner with landowners willing to place a conservation easement on their property. This commitment shows true land stewardship in every sense of the word, protecting habitat, water resources, and scenic beauty for the benefit of all,” says HCLT President, Mike Krueger. “But even more exciting to us, the owner consolidated two properties in this easement which now may never be subdivided, reversing that fragmentation trend.” The Hill Country Land Trust was founded in 1998 by a group of volunteer landowners. The mission of the Hill Country Land Trust is to conserve and protect agricultural lands, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and watersheds of the Texas Hill Country for present and future generations. The Hill Country Land Trust operates in 19 counties, with an emphasis on the Pedernales River catchment area, the Balcones Canyonlands area, and the viewshed of Enchanted Rock. For more information on the Hill County Land Trust visit their website at www.hillcountrylandtrust.org or call 830-997-0027. ### Attachment: Photo of Hickory Creek on Sandy Ranch