Your Texas Land

Taylor Garrison welcomes Will Newman of Texas Parks and Wildlife to discuss conservation cost-share programs available to Texas landowners. Learn how the Farm Bill supports private-land conservation, the role of programs like EQIP and CRP, and practical steps for improving wildlife habitat while meeting your land management goals. Links mentioned in episode: William. Newman@tpwd.texas.gov Native P...

Plateau’s Shane Kiefer and Steve Parker talk practical brush control in Texas, from “painting prickly pear blue” to managing mesquite and invasive species. Learn why cutting alone isn’t enough, which herbicide methods work best, and how to plan treatments safely and effectively. Learn more: PlateauWildlife.com Contact us: plateau@plateauwildlife.com Follow us: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn @Plat...

In our latest episode, John Kinsey sits down with Dr. Heather Channon, Australia’s National Feral Pig Management Coordinator, and John Scriven of Queensland to compare how Australia and Texas approach managing wild pigs. The conversation goes from baiting and aerial shooting to trapping and fencing, emphasizing that we are similar and no single solution works. They also discuss emerging research,...

In this episode, Taylor Garrison visits with Mark Brown of the Brown Ranch to talk about his journey to a conservation-minded landowner. Mark shares how he and his wife transitioned to a wildlife tax valuation and built an award-winning prairie ranch focused on restoring the endangered Fayette Prairie. From tackling invasive grasses to using prescribed fire and strategic grazing, he offers real-wo...

In Part 2, John Kinsey sits down with Romey Swanson to discuss the passion projects driving his work in Texas conservation. From studying owls in the Davis Mountains to a statewide “herping big year” documenting reptiles and amphibians, Swanson shares stories from the field and the research behind them. For Recent Articles from Romey Swanson: Studying the High-Elevation Owls of the Davis Mountains...

Host John Kinsey talks with Romey Swanson, executive director of the Devils River Conservancy, about his path into conservation and the work being done to protect one of Texas’ most remarkable landscapes. Swanson shares how his early career working with private landowners led him to his conservation efforts and explores how tools like conservation easements help keep ranches intact while preservin...

John Kinsey sits down with Plateau Senior Biologist Taylor Garrison to discuss using cattle grazing as a strategic tool for wildlife and habitat management on Texas private lands. Drawing on Taylor’s background, they explore how rainfall, geography, and stocking rates influence habitat health and how overgrazing can quickly degrade it. Learn more: PlateauWildlife.com Contact us: plateau@plateauwil...

Texas landowners ask us these questions all the time and in this episode, Mark Hefner and Shane Kiefer are answering them. From qualifying for wildlife management to transitioning from traditional ag use and meeting appraisal district requirements, they cover what landowners need to know to protect their property tax valuation while managing land responsibly. Whether you’re new to land ownership o...

Join host Shane Kiefer and Jan Gunter, an Accredited Land Consultant with Keller Williams Realty, as they break down key trends shaping rural land sales in Texas. From post-2020 market shifts and interest rates to open-space valuations and what buyers and sellers can expect in 2026, this episode offers practical insights for landowners, buyers, and real estate professionals navigating today’s Texa...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, Cassie Gresham talks with Braun & Gresham attorney Margaret Menicucci about succession planning for Texas landowners. They discuss why estate planning alone isn’t enough, how tools like LLCs and LPs can help keep land in the family, and the risks of not having a clear plan. Margaret shares navigating family dynamics, starting succession conversations with he...

Join Cassie Gresham and Shane Kiefer for a special end-of-year recap focused on what mattered most for Texas landowners in 2025. They highlight key accomplishments at Plateau Land & Wildlife Management and Braun & Gresham, reflect on legislative and land-use developments, and share lessons learned from the past year. Looking ahead to 2026, they discuss emerging energy demands, common lando...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, host Nick Fisher sits down with Ryan Burnett and Jacob McLaughlin of Land Within Reach to explore how their team is transforming the future of land development in Texas. They share their journey from traditional rural development to embracing a conservation-driven model that balances the state’s growing housing needs with the protection of native landscapes. You...

This episode marks an exciting new chapter as Plateau Land & Wildlife Management is now an authorized dealer for the Pig Brig Trap System. Join Shane Kiefer and John Kinsey as they dive into the challenge of wild pig management in Texas. They discuss the real world impacts of wild pigs, control methods, and how the Pig Brig Trap System offers a smarter, low-stress, and highly effective trappin...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, host John Kinsey talks with Mike Bodenchuk, retired State Director of USDA Wildlife Services in Texas, about wildlife damage management and predator control. Mike shares decades of experience balancing predator impacts with conservation and agriculture, and how perspectives on predator control have evolved. Learn about predator-prey dynamics, density dependence,...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, host Cassie Gresham sits down with Braun & Gresham attorney Nathan Yates to unpack the world of renewable energy and what it means for Texas landowners. With years of experience in wind, solar, and battery storage projects, Nathan sheds light on the opportunities and challenges landowners face when approached by energy companies. From federal policies and lo...

In this episode, John Kinsey sits down with Mike Bodenchuk to talk about a topic every landowner should know about: wildlife diseases and their impact on people, livestock, and private land. With more than 34 years of experience in the USDA Wildlife Services Program, Mike shares his deep knowledge of how different agencies—and landowners themselves play a role in managing disease outbreaks across...

This episode of Your Texas Land dives into the upcoming white-tailed deer season with Blaise Korzekwa, White-Tailed Deer Program Leader at Texas Parks & Wildlife. John Kinsey and Blaise cover everything from season dates, bag limits, and antler restrictions to MLD programs, survey techniques, and the latest testing requirements. Whether you’re a hunter or a landowner, this conversation offers...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, Cassie Gresham sits down with Braun & Gresham attorneys Margaret Menicucci and Natalie Cavellier to explore the ins and outs of conservation easements. Together, they break down what a conservation easement actually is, dispel common myths around land control and flexibility, and explain the legal and tax benefits that can make these agreements a powerful to...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, we sit down with John Kinsey, the new Director of Ecological Services at Plateau Land & Wildlife Management. From his roots in Lockhart, Texas, to earning his PhD and leading innovative wildlife management strategies, John brings a wealth of experience and a passion for land stewardship. We explore John’s career journey through Texas Parks & Wildlife and...

Join Cassie Gresham, Justin Dreibelbis from Texas Wildlife Association, and Shane Kiefer of Plateau Land & Wildlife as they talk through updates from the recent Texas legislative session. They discuss key bills impacting Texas landowners, including water management, renewable energy, Texas Parks and Wildlife legislation, and more. Learn about the successes, challenges, and the future outlook f...

In this episode of Your Texas Land, host David Riley sits down with Tucker Slack, Senior Wildlife Biologist at Plateau Land and Wildlife Management. Tucker shares detailed insights into his career path, from his early interest in wildlife in Orange County, Texas, to his extensive work in both Texas and South Carolina. The episode goes into how Tucker’s passion for nature and wildlife management ha...

In this episode of 'Your Texas Land,' host Brad Glover discusses the intricacies of wind and solar lease negotiations with Laura Bowen, an attorney at Braun & Gresham. They provide an overview into the five essential steps of a renewable lease, from the initial approach by companies to important factors landowners should consider before hiring an attorney. Laura talks through a roadmap...

In this episode, Brad Glover of Braun & Gresham and guest Eric Gomez, discuss the essential role of a real estate attorney in land transactions. Learn why having a real estate attorney can save you money, make you money, and provide peace of mind. Eric sheds light on the differences between real estate agents and attorneys, and why rural land transactions require special attention. This compre...

Brad Glover and attorney Carly Barton from Braun & Gresham go into the essentials of fencing and boundaries for Texas landowners. Discover the historical context behind the phrase 'good fences make good neighbors' and learn about crucial legalities, including property deeds, the importance of surveys, and the responsibilities regarding fence placement and maintenance. Tune in for expert guidan...

Join Shane Kiefer and guest David Riley from Plateau Land & Wildlife Management as they dive into the topic of predator control and how it impacts your wildlife tax valuation and land management. The conversation covers the differences between native and non-native predators, effective methods for dealing with common predators like feral hogs and red imported fire ants, and the newly implement...