MILLICAN RESERVE LAND CONSERVANCY

THE CONSERVANCY STEWARDS THE OPEN SPACE, LAKES, PONDS, CREEKS, GRASSLANDS, WOODLANDS, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT LOCATED AT MILLICAN RESERVE. DURING THE TAX YEAR, STAFF AND CONTRACTORS IMPLEMENTED A COMPREHENSIVE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, INCLUDING HABITAT CONTROL; PREDATOR CONTROL; SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD, WATER, AND SHELTER; INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT; AND WILDLIFE CENSUS ACTIVITIES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED BRUSH AND UNDERSTORY MANAGEMENT; INSTALLATION AND MONITORING OF CAVITY NEST BOXES FOR SONGBIRDS; SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING FOR SONGBIRDS, DOVE, AND WHITE-TAILED DEER; OPERATION OF WILDLIFE WATER SOURCES; TARGETED FIRE ANT CONTROL; AND FERAL HOG AND COYOTE REMOVAL. A WINTERING AND RESIDENT BIRD SURVEY DOCUMENTED 41 SPECIES AND 362 INDIVIDUAL BIRDS OBSERVED ON DECEMBER 13, 2024, ACROSS 12 SURVEY STATIONS, PROVIDING DATA FOR FUTURE HABITAT DECISIONS. THESE ACTIVITIES ENSURE THAT THE LAND REMAINS ECOLOGICALLY FUNCTIONAL WHILE ACCESSIBLE FOR NATURE-BASED PUBLIC BENEFIT.THE CONSERVANCY ALSO COORDINATES WITH PROFESSIONAL WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS TO DOCUMENT ANNUAL PRACTICES, MAPS, AND PHOTO EVIDENCE FOR LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP RECORDS.

DURING THE YEAR, THE CONSERVANCY OPERATED AND MAINTAINED APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES OF MULTI-USE TRAILS AND CONSERVED OPEN SPACE FO HIKING, BIKING, EQUESTRAIN ACTIVITIES, NATURE OBSERVATION, VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS, AND OUTDOOR CLASSES. THE CONSERVANCY SCHEDULED MORE THAN 125 NATURE, WELLNESS, AND CONSERVATION-FOCUS PROGRAMS SERVING APPROXIMATELY 1,790 INDIVIDUALS; PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS SERVED AN ADDITIONAL 1,360 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED ON CONSERVANCY PROPERTY, INCLUDING TEXAS A&M OUTDOOR EDUCATION, COMMUNITY RUNS, AND SKILLS-BASED CLASSES. PROGRAMMING INCLUDED GUIDED HIKES, TRAIL RUNS, FISHING INSTRUCTION, OUTDOOR SKILLS, COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT DEMONSTRATE RESPONSIBLE LAND AND WILDLIFE STEWARDSHIP ON PRIVATE CONSERVED LAND. THESE ACTIVITIES ADVANCE THE CONSERVANCY'S EXEMPT PURPOSE BY MAKING NATURE-BASED EXPERIENCES ACCESSIBLE TO THE BRAZOS VALLEY COMMUNITY AND BY MODELING COMMUNITY THAT COEXISTS WITH CONSERVATION.