Billig Ranch is a prairie gem of Pines and Prairies Land Trust, this 677 acre property provides wildlife habitat, largely in the Post Oak Savanna Ecoregion. Billig was previously also 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 several barns and a ranch house.

Because of ongoing prairie restoration this property is usually closed to the public. However on September 14th from 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. we will be opening the gates to the public for hiking, birding, and exploring.

Schedule:

8:00 Gates open, birding hike

9:00 Feral Hog talk and walk

10:00 Prairie talk and walk

1:00 Gates close

Driving Directions

From the intersection of State Highway 290 and State Highway 21, travel east on SH21 approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left (north) on Railroad Track Road. In 0.6 miles, turn right on Billig Lane and proceed 0.5 miles to property entrance.

More information on the preserve:

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 two prairie restoration projects on over 100 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. PPLT is currently partnering with US Fish and Wildlife Service to restore Houston toad and Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) habitat on an additional 145 acres. Our ultimate goal for Billig Ranch is to use it as an educational property for the community, to show that sustainable agriculture and resource protection go hand in hand.