Pines and Prairies Land Trust (PPLT) is hosting its first open preserve day at Billig Ranch, 208 Billig Lane, in Paige, Saturday, September 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Gates will open shortly before 8 a.m. for those wanting to go on a birding hike led by local Master Naturalists, that have been recording birds on the preserve for the past three years. Bring your binoculars and bird guides! Around 9 a.m., we will have a walk and talk about feral hog control efforts PPLT has been employing over the past year, including a short hike to recent hog damage and one trapping station. You may go home with ideas of your own, if you too are experiencing damage to your land from these prolific non-natives. Around 10 a.m. will be another walk and talk about the native prairie restoration efforts at Billig that have been ongoing since 2016. PPLT has partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and US Fish and Wildlife under three different programs to support the restoration of over 250 acres at Billig. Hiking trails are also available if you’d prefer venturing on your own, as well as all the beautiful views you can stand. Gates will close at 1 p.m. We recommend you wear walking shoes, a hat, long sleeves and long pants, and bring water, sunscreen and bug repellent. Bring a picnic and chairs if you’d like to relax next to the pond!
Billig Ranch was given to PPLT in 2008 by Erwin Billig, who wanted to forever preserve his land as a wildlife haven. PPLT has worked hard over the years to honor his legacy by combining sustainable agriculture practices with native habitat restoration. It is our goal at Billig Ranch to show the community that habitat protection and agriculture really can go hand in hand. Pines and Prairies Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to land protection. For more information on PPLT and Billig Ranch, please visit our website: www.pplt.org. For information on the field day or other questions, feel free to contact us at 512-308-1911 or nikki@pplt.org.
