Building an Institution

Institution as defined in Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary – “an organization having a social, educational or religious purpose, as a school, church, hospital, etc.”

In modern day practice we think of an institution as some thing that’s been around a long time, such as a university, a museum, or perhaps even a restaurant. An institution also has to be recognized as delivering a dependable product or service and as a respected source of information.

We’re building an institution here at Selah. Although 41 years is not a long time, the ranch has been legally set aside in perpetuity for the natural world, education and research. Photograph taken by J. David.

Photograph taken by Margaret Bamberger.

Our Institution’s Goals

To maintain Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve in a natural state of grasslands and wooded canyons, which provide healthy habitat for native and endangered species as well as domestic plants and animals, and to protect it from development.

To demonstrate through a working example of grass-based agriculture the practices of good conservation and their value to the entire ecosystem.

To educate visitors by providing facilities and programs which enhance the visitor’s experience and encourage appreciation and awareness of Selah’s and their own natural and cultural heritages.

To provide a place where visitors of all ages can experience the beauty of nature, learn the importance of good conservation and land stewardship, and leave with a sense of power that the individual can positively impact his or her environment.

To manage the resources and facilities of Selah in such a way that agriculture, education, recreation, and “People ranching” will come as close as possible to meeting its costs of operation while preserving it for future generations of people, plants and animals.

Statement of Philosophy

We honor and respect the natural world and its biological heritage.

We recognize that good stewardship maintains a diversity of healthy habitats, and therefore the diversity of plants and animals that are able to exist in them.

Good land management provides clean water in greater amounts than in poorly managed land. In the Hill Country’s climate and type of land it is extremely important to maximize water conservation (both surface and underground), because with population growth we experience increasing demand on limited resources.

Integrating human needs into the natural world involves:

• teaching the public about the importance of good stewardship,


• providing a place to experience the importance of good stewardship,


• teaching conservation of resources,


• and instilling a love and appreciation of the natural world in children and adults so that the desire abundant healthy water, land and habitats around them.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bamberger Ranch Preserve is to protect the 5,500 acres of land, keep it in good health and balance, and educate the public about stewardship of the land, as well as awakening and nourishing a passion for learning about nature in both children and adults.

Here at Selah we spend so much time “people ranching” - (that’s the education part of our mission) – that the true ranching activities of Selah are overlooked. . . . We believe that a well-managed ranch can have cattle, horses, sheep and or goats and still be a protector of all species, large and small, flora or fauna.

Photograph by J. David.

Photograph by J. David.

Photograph by J. David.

Because of a nice cold winter with good rains we were able to harvest surplus grass . . . hay . . . It’s been a few years since this was possible. This harvest has always been among my favorite times. To walk the field behind the hay baler as the evening sun goes down, picking up the bales and taking them to the barn. There’s a nostalgia to this. I’m too old now to do the lifting, but I can walk, see and smell and enjoy this harvest that some call work!

If you believe as I do that all of the things I’ve talked about on this and past blogs are important for the future health of our nation won’t you please help us build this institution?

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There are so many, many good causes that need financial help. Preserving the earth itself is important. So, if you would like to help us with a donation, we are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation and gifts are deductible to the extent of the law. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.

“This is Ranchin”

Most old time ranches had horses, cattle, sheep and sometimes goats. Anything to generate income. Of course, too much livestock on the land had a lot to do with the problems we’re experiencing today. Overstocked land made conditions just right for woody species to take over from grass. It made conditions just right for soil erosion and these conditions caused our water sources to produce just a little less each year as these practices went on.

There are still many cattle herds in the Hill Country but not many sheep and goat herds. It used to be that goats, angora, were raised for their mohair, but then synthetics arrived and took that market away – Later, globalization took even another share as this product could be produced cheaper in other parts of the world . . . However in the last ten years I have witnessed a positive change in the market for Spanish goats. Both for meat, due in large part because of the increase in the Muslim populations in our major cities of the Midwest and East. The other reason is that the Spanish goat is becoming more and more popular when used to control some of the very woody species that took over from grass.

Here at Selah, included in our mission is to show a working example of grass based agriculture and the value that all plants and animals play in the preserving and protection of the ecosystem.

These are Ranch Operations Manager Scott Grote’s horses. You wouldn’t see a goat round up in a Marlboro ad, but the horses are not for play. Our goats are rotated in and out of hundreds of acres and without the horses gathering them up would be very difficult. Those fancy 4-wheelers in our country can’t compare to a good horse. Photograph taken by J. David.

Once penned, the baby goats, called kids, are separated or weaned from their mothers called nannies and all animals are checked closely for any health problems. Photograph taken by J. David.

Our county agent, Todd Swift, is here today helping to pick out a few good candidates for our boys to raise as a project for next year’s stock show. Photograph taken by J. David.

One of the wonderful things about ranching is the life it offers. Poncho Cornilla, in the red shirt, has been working here for thirty some years. It’s his son, Javier, who has his first contact with the goat that he will nurture until show time next year. He will have to pay for the goat and any feed or health issues should they arrive. He will learn about economics and the free enterprise system. He will own the profit or suffer from the loss should his goat not judge well . . . That’s Todd Swift in the green shirt and Poncho’s older son, “Nacho” in the blue shirt. Photograph taken by J. David.

Yes, The Following is Ranchin, Too!

I don’t know how to tell this story ~ I can only say it was funny and fun to watch and it all starts with Steven and his air boat, which he constructed. Here he is arriving at the scene. Photograph taken by J. David.

I’ve written so much about the drought and its affects on our trees. It’s estimated that we lost over 2,000 Spanish Oaks but why did most of our Bald Cypress survive? All of them were around our ponds and along our creeks, so perhaps there was just enough moisture underground to keep them alive. All had shed their leaves early. A survival mechanism. This one, however, didn’t make it and had to be taken out. It was 50 foot tall with a 28 inch diameter trunk. That’s Eastern Gamma grass in the foreground and that’s Ranch Biologist, Steven Fulton, in his “toy” and all the following is his idea! You had to be there to really enjoy all that happened. Photograph taken by J. David.

Here’s an attempt to pull the Cypress over into Madrone Lake. No luck, the tree doesn’t budge. We’ll have to saw it down. I’m sorry I wasn’t present to photograph that. Photograph taken by J. David.

I planted this Cypress in 1989. It grew to 50 foot, nourished by the waters of Madrone Lake. The widest point of the stump is 28 inches. Steven is an accomplished carpenter and he wants to see what he can make from the Cypress wood. Photograph taken by J. David.

We can’t get a truck or trailer in to haul out the brush, so Steven and Poncho load it onto the air boat. Photograph taken by J. David.

Here Steven goes, taking the brush to Madrone Lake spillway where we can easily unload and take it to a brush pile. Photograph taken by J. David.

Steven’s 6’8”, but even he can’t see over the brush to where he’s headed without standing up. Photograph taken by J. David.

Everything you see here was pulled down by Steven’s air boat. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Scott Grote has brought another “Tonka Toy” to lift the main trunk onto the trailer. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Next stop will be to a local sawmill to see if there is some useful lumber that can be obtained from the trunk. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

The job is basically done as Steven “rides off into the sunset!” Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Both of these episodes happened on the same day the goats were worked in the morning when it was cooler and the tree was taken out in the afternoon . . . Just another day at the ranch!

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There are so many, many good causes that need financial help. Preserving the earth itself is important. So, if you would like to help us with a donation, we are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation and gifts are deductible to the extent of the law. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.

Drought?

This past winter Mother Nature was very good to us. Lots of slow soaking rains that replenished our “perched aquifer” along with winter weather - cold weather that we haven’t enjoyed for years and even snow. My fireplace consumed three cords of wood! It was so nice that many nights I woke up at 2 a.m. still sitting there. . . .

Snowfall on Selah.
Photograph taken by J. David.

It was a good winter in many ways, especially since we had the driest, hottest summer of the past 60 years. Most of our springs quit flowing, our creeks dried up as well as most stock tanks. We came within days of having to buy water. . . . Now with that wonderful winter behind us, we’re back to normal. . . . But what is normal?

It’s been three years since this scene greeted you as you came into the ranch. This water is collected from many hillsides and seeps for four miles before coming together near here. Photograph taken by J. David.

Just a quarter mile upstream, near the Historical Marker. It’s the same creek as in the previous picture. Photograph taken by J. David.

This tributary is on higher ground. It brings runoff from an entirely different canyon which our neighbor at Walnut Springs provides. It’s been rather dependable in the past. Photograph taken by J. David.

This was the first concrete dam we built, about 1972. The water is eight foot deep. It stopped running for the first time last year, but still had stock water behind the dam. This location, years ago, was named Jacob’s Ladder . . . but that’s another story. Photograph taken by J. David.

Ah, yes ~ Madrone Lake, the Jewel of Selah! Full and going through a draw down tube. The lake is surrounded by the Natural Arboretum and Nature Trail. It will be good swimming for the kids with clear, cool water all summer. Photograph taken by J. David.

So Why Is This Posting’s Title About Drought?

There are still people that do not believe that global warming and climate change are for real. I am not one of them. These last five years I have witnessed the loss of 2,000+ trees from extreme heat and lack of rain. I’m watching certain plants expand their range, Sotol and Twisted Leaf Yucca. Even now, today May 19, after receiving three inches of rain my testimony is that we’re entering a drought!!! It’s beautiful here, wildflowers aplenty, new growth on the trees, birds, butterflies and bees seem happy enough, but, while the rangeland is green, on close examination it’s not all grass and what grass we have is not full and tall. Weeds/forbs fill in the spaces left bare from last year’s heat and lack of rain. Grass that has been stressed is slow to recover. While we’re looking good out the picture window, there are ominous signs out there. . . . First, we have been experiencing temperatures in the low nineties every day this month. We’re still having “March winds,” regularly. Ninety degree temperatures are expected in July and August – not in April and May. The high temperature and wind dry out surface moisture and this is bad for grass.

Our aquifer is full – all eleven springs are producing and as my pictures illustrate – we’re looking good, but summer isn’t here yet. Let’s not forget the fear we had these last few years. Everyone, please stay focused on conservation. It’s a good habit to develop.

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There are so many, many good causes that need financial help. Preserving the earth itself is important. So, if you would like to help us with a donation, we are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation and gifts are deductible to the extent of the law. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.

Fun Raiser or Fund Raiser?

Any way you look at it our Family Picnic on Sunday, May the 2nd, was just wonderful! This was our fifth year holding the picnic. It began when I asked our Board of Directors to come up with something really worthwhile and different that would not only help us raise money, but would also bring the ranch to the attention of more people. Thanks to the creative thinking of Board member Anne Donovan the idea developed. The concept was to bring grandparents and young parents with children to the ranch for a day that encompassed education, recreation and family. I think when you view these pictures you’ll agree that this mission was truly accomplished.

The day began at 10 a.m. with four trailers taking tours every half hour to see some of the best dinosaur tracks ever discovered, to search for 100 million year old fossils and to see the world’s only chiroptorium and a large herd of scimitar horned oryx, a vanishing antelope species native to Africa.

Scott Gardner with trailer.

Dinosaur tracks. Photograph by Chris W. Johnson.

Picture of Chiroptorium. Photograph by Chris W. Johnson.

Scimitar horned oryx.

Down along the Nature Trail, Mary Kay Sexton was having the kids search and seine for creek critters. Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

Meanwhile, back at the Center, some of the kids looked at snakes and lizards, and a nanny goat with her kid while some were inside doing face painting, building kites and other arts and crafts.

Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

This was a new addition this year, a zip line. Talk about fun. Some kids rode it five times! The zip line was down was installed near Madrone Lake. Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

Also at Madrone Lake the kids were taught how to fish.
Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

Ernie Sessums has enjoyed teaching this sport all five years and even though it’s not a trophy, Conner Hathaway is proud of his catch. Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

The dam for Madrone Lake was perfect for kite flying. The lake was beautiful and wildflowers enhanced the scene. Photograph taken by Kathleen Marie Wilson.

Photograph by J. David.

The Grass Trail attracted Ernest, Paula and Brian Smith.
Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

It’s lunch time! Clean country air and so much to do added to the appetite of everyone. Chicken and beef fajitas, beans, grilled vegetables, salad – even hot dogs – iced tea, lemonade and a cookie was on the menu. Unbelievably good food prepared by volunteers from the Bexar Grotto, a caving group from San Antonio. They also are the stewards of Bracken Bat Cave.

Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

What would a Fund Raiser be without a silent auction? Nell Martin, a volunteer, has organized this since the beginning and with a great deal of success. We try to have only items that are nature, conservation and environment oriented. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Plant sales are always a big hit with the picnicers – Medina Native Nursery donated over $600.00 worth of plants and trees. This year ranch biologist, Steven Fulton, offered many tree species raised right here on Selah - Bur Oaks, Lacey Oaks, Buckeye, Rough Leaf Dogwood, Carolina Buckthorn, Sycamore Leaf Snowbell to name a few. Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

From all the enthusiastic comments received, I’ve got to say that the demonstration and education presented by John Karger, founder of “Last Chance Forever,” was the biggest hit of all. This organization rehabilitates raptors and releases them back into the wild. John’s demonstration and commentary held the attention of both young and old.

Photograph taken by Kathleen Marie Wilson

Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

Chance Ruder, a protégé of John Karger, shows the gathering a great horned owl. Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

When the day is done – a small tired, but happy group of volunteers gets to relax. No one does it alone - THANKS to ALL of YOU !!!!!! Photograph taken by Lois Sturm.

What’s it all about? This picture speaks to me: Children today, adults tomorrow. I so admire the young parents who brought these beautiful young kids to our picnic. With experience like this, there will be no nature deficit disorder among these kids. I wish every child could visit Selah. Photograph taken by Karen Archer.

There are so many, many good causes that need financial help. Preserving the earth itself is important. So, if you would like to help us with a donation, we are a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation and gifts are deductible to the extent of the law. You can send your contributions to: Bamberger Ranch Preserve, 2341 Blue Ridge Drive, Johnson City, TX 78636.