Preserves for People. Land for Future generations.
Pines and Prairies Land Trust Preserves in Bastrop County
Pines and Prairies Land Trust oversees three preserves in Bastrop County. The Colorado River Refuge is accessible to the public daily, providing a scenic and educational experience for nature enthusiasts and visitors alike. Yegua Knobbs and Billig Ranch are exclusively open for special events, offering unique opportunities to engage with and appreciate areas undergoing habitat restoration.
The Colorado River refuge - Bastrop, tx
Photo of a Grey Herron taken by Jim Johnson at the Colorado River Refuge
Quick look:
Access: Open to the public daily, dawn to dusk
ADA paved trail and picnic area accessible via the Cottonwood Kings trailhead
Land protected: 65 acres
Hiking trails: 3 miles
Two Bridges Trailhead (main parking area): 281 Riverside Dr, Bastrop, TX 78602
Note: The Colorado River Refuge is adjacent to the Bastrop County Nature Park which contains the kayak takeout point. PPLT does not operate the gate leading to the park and kayak takeout point.
About the preserve:
The Colorado River Refuge (CRR) was gifted to PPLT by the Bastrop County Water Control and Improvement District #2 (BCWCID#2) in 2004 and several other lots were donated or purchased.
The CRR is located in the Tahitian Village Subdivision along Riverside Drive. The Refuge meanders along the Colorado River within old-growth riparian habitat, Post Oak savannah and meadows. The CRR is managed by PPLT as a wildlife refuge to protect the important riparian and upland habitat of the Colorado River.
Our network of trails are loved by families, hikers, runners, dog-walkers, bird watchers and naturalists of all kinds. Most of the trails are shaded - perfect for the summer heat!
The Colorado River Refuge is home to PPLT’s free nature classes for kids and regular volunteer days. See our events page for upcoming opportunities.
Yegua knobbs preserve - mcdade, tx
One of the knob formations.
Quick look:
Access: Open on select days of the year. For more information, contact info@pplt.org
Land protected: 302 acres
Hiking trails: 5 miles
History:
PPLT bought Yegua Knobbs Preserve (YKP) in 2004, from a private landowner that wanted the property to remain as open space. The property is a 302-acre expanse of hills, woods, pastures, rough trails and ponds north of McDade.
YKP is potential habitat for the critically endangered Houston toad and contains other unique habitats such as the intriguing geology of the knobs, rare plants and a spring fed bog. PPLT has partnered with Cornell, TPWD, USFWS and the Houston Toad Recovery Team to conduct habitat restoration on site, including prescribed burns. PPLT manages the property for wildlife and offers led hikes and educational events for groups upon request. Otherwise, the preserve is typically closed because of access through private property, ongoing habitat restoration and to protect the unique ecosystems and features.
Have a group interested in touring any of our preserves? Contact us to schedule something. We require a minimum 30-day notice for Billig and YKP.
billig ranch - paige, Tx
Billig Ranch gate.
Quick look:
Access: Open on select days of the year. For more information, contact info@pplt.org.
Land protected: 677 acres
History:
Billig Ranch is a 677 acre jewel providing wildlife habitat, largely in the Post Oak Savanna Ecoregion. Billig was previously used for ranching and is also potential habitat for the critically endangered Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis). Several ponds are located on the property as well as barns and a ranch house. Because we currently have a tenant and cattle lease and are currently working to restore several pastures back to native prairie, the property is open only with someone from PPLT on site.
Erwin Billig gifted the ranch to PPLT in 2008, designating the land as a “wildlife haven.” In his honor, PPLT manages the property for sustainable agriculture as well as wildlife habitat. PPLT has just completed three prairie restoration projects on over 250 acres with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the TPWD Landowner Incentive Program as well as US Fish and Wildlife Service to restore Houston toad and Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) habitat.
Birding PPLT Preserves
Empidonax sp. and Painted Bunting at Yegua Knobbs Preserve. Photo taken by Anna Stahlcup.
