Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]
Contact: Josh Blanek, 432-266-0677, [email protected]

SAN ANGELO – Organizers urge those with a passion for proper land management of the Edwards Plateau region to mark their calendars May 3-4 for the Bennett Trust Land Stewardship Conference at the McNease Convention Center, 501 Rio Concho Drive in San Angelo.

cow and calf in west Texas pasture
Integrating livestock and wildlife will be one of the sessions held at the stewardship conference in San Angelo. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Steve Byrns)

“A similar conference is held each spring in Kerrville, but this is the first time we’ve hosted one here in San Angelo,” said Josh Blanek, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for agriculture and natural resources in Tom Green County. “This program will center on proper land stewardship of the Edwards Plateau as specified by Eskell and Ruth Bennett, who entrusted the endowment for use by AgriLife Extension for that purpose.”

Individual registration is $75. Registration includes all training materials and meals. To learn more about the Bennett Trust see http://bit.ly/2rnIhtf . More information will also be available at that site as plans are finalized in coming weeks, or contact Blanek at 325-659-6523 or [email protected] .

The first day, which starts with breakfast and registration at 8 a.m. at the convention center, will include presentations on livestock guardian dogs, agricultural law issues, prescribed fire and individual brush management practices, ranch water resource development, solar power for water resources and ranch rainwater harvesting.

Afternoon topics will include Edwards Plateau geology, integrating livestock and wildlife, and introduced grasses for the region. The day’s activities will end with dinner and entertainment at the Buffalo Social Club at the San Angelo Stock Show Fairgrounds.

The second day will consist of a ranch tour following a 7:30 a.m. breakfast. The tour stops are designed to demonstrate the previous day’s classroom educational presentation. The stops will include a livestock guardian dog demonstration, examples of livestock/wildlife compatibility, water resources, individual plant treatment and, prescribed fire and a look at improved grasses.