Riparian Field Trip to Knickerbocker Ranch
Saturday, March 23, 2013 – Knickerbocker Ranch, Knickerbocker, TX
The Native Plant Society of Texas, Concho Valley chapter held a field trip to Drew Sykes’ Knickerbocker Ranch in Knickerbocker (southwest of San Angelo). Attending were Pam Yeaman, Brian and Judy Hetherington, Bob & Janie Houck, Lee & Lisa Campbell, Drew Sykes, Gerron Hite, and Wilbur Thomas
Knickerbocker Ranch has been in Drew’s family for over 100 years. Dove Creek runs through the ranch and provides irrigation water for two crop fields. The area around the creek was totally denuded after many years of excessive livestock grazing and was subject to extensive damage by flooding and erosion. In 1996, Drew and his family fenced off the creek and temporarily stopped all grazing to hasten the recovery of the desired vegetation. This created an 88 acre creek pasture that will be periodically “flash grazed” in the future. This kind of specialized grazing will maintain the proper riparian plants. The family did not do any seeding, but the creek sides and bottom lands are filled with desirable riparian grasses, sedges, shrubs trees.
Steve Nelle, retired NRCS biologist, led the field trip down to and along Dove Creek (a tributary to the Concho River). The amount of water flowing through the creek was very impressive and as were the grasses, trees and plants. It was the first time Steve had been there and he was impressed with the recovery. Steve and others from the NRCS are holding many Riparian Workshops throughout West Central Texas, teaching landowners about how to protect their riparian areas and the importance of doing so. In the afternoon, the workshops visit a local ranch where restoration has occurred. Steve said that the Knickerbocker Ranch was an excellent example of how nature will heal itself, given the chance. Fortunately, the landowners upstream from Drew have all started protecting Dove Creek and the water quality and clarity are excellent.
If you get a chance to attend any of the Riparian Workshops, I highly recommend it.
Photos by Brian Hetherington
Photos by Drew Sykes
Article by Judy Hetherington