Hill Country Conservancy announced Tuesday the permanent protection of Muckleroy Ranch, a 240-acre property bordering Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, one of Texas’ most iconic natural landmarks.

The property adds private land conservation directly adjacent to the State Natural Area, complementing the recent land purchase by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that expanded Enchanted Rock and strengthened conservation in the region.

While public land acquisitions play an important role in conservation, more than 95 percent of Texas land is privately owned, making voluntary conservation easements like that on Muckleroy Ranch essential to protecting entire landscapes.

Protecting the lands that surround treasured public spaces helps safeguard critical waterways, wildlife habitat, scenic viewsheds, and the dark night skies that define the region.

“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to contribute to maintaining the landscape of the Texas Hill Country,” said landowner Steve Muckleroy. “Martha and I recognize the balance of progress and preservation, and it is rewarding to know we played a part in preserving Hill Country views for centuries to come.”

Over 300,000 people visit Enchanted Rock State Natural Area annually, increasing strain on the area’s natural resources and the likelihood of future development. The permanent protection of Muckleroy Ranch helps keep the native environment intact and able to provide important watershed functions.

Preserving large landscapes like Muckleroy Ranch helps protect water quality and quantity, supporting the long-term quality of life and economic vitality of Hill Country communities.

“By conserving Muckleroy Ranch, HCC and the Muckleroy family are reinforcing a growing network of protected land in this special region,” said Hill Country Conservancy CEO Kathy Miller. “This effort ensures that conservation momentum continues — not just within park boundaries, but across the broader Hill Country landscape.”

Muckleroy Ranch provides habitat found only in this part of Texas, supporting a remarkable diversity of native plants and wildlife, including rare, declining, and threatened species. The property also adds important habitat connectivity in a region where formal conservation projects remain limited.

Projects like this conservation easement demonstrate how private landowners, conservation organizations, and public partners can work together to safeguard the landscapes that define the Texas Hill Country. By protecting key parcels of land, these efforts help ensure that the region’s natural beauty, wildlife habitat, and open spaces endure for generations to come.

Hill Country Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust committed to preserving open spaces in the Texas Hill Country. Preserving vital natural resources through conservation, community collaboration and engagement, HCC works to sustain our region now and forever. For more information about conservation easements and other tools being used to ensure long-term protection of private lands, visit HillCountryConservancy.org.