In this episode, we delve into the transformative work being done at Riverby Ranch, a site once bustling with cattle operations hosting up to 10,000 head of cattle. The challenges of navigating through a maze of gates and fences highlight the legacy of this land’s agricultural past.
Fencing, while occasionally useful for controlling invasive species by concentrating grazing animals, can impede large-scale restoration activities. At Riverby Ranch, the removal of over 150 miles of fencing – a distance comparable to the drive between Houston and Austin – reshaped the landscape. This monumental effort simplified logistics, enabled the seamless movement of equipment, materials, and personnel, and paved the way for planting native grasses and trees.
As the fencing disappeared, Riverby Ranch evolved into a thriving haven for biodiversity, demonstrating the profound impact of removing man-made barriers on ecological restoration and sustainability.
