Texas Rancher Creates Haven for Lesser Prairie Chickens

(This story originally appeared on the blog of the Farm Service Agency, an LPCI partner.)

James Blackwell is a third-generation landowner and nature lover in Littlefield, Texas, which lies northwest of Lubbock in the southern reaches of the panhandle. His 2,500 acres straddle Lamb and Hockley counties, a one-time Dust Bowl region. When the USDA introduced its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 30 years ago, Blackwell jumped at the chance to do his part. Since the beginning, he has gone the extra mile to protect and nurture local wildlife and plants.

Blackwell initially set aside 180 acres for conservation efforts in 1986, the beginning of CRP. He established an area of suitable grasses in which the lesser prairie-chicken could thrive. Since then he has gone much further to help conserve local wildlife. The move has in turn helped his land.

Over the years, Blackwell added 680 acres of established cover. Acting on his belief in the value of using local seed, he transitioned 360 acres from introduced grass species to native grasses. The extra effort paid off when he saw growth in the lesser prairie-chicken population. But he didn’t stop there.

Blackwell added four acres of a wildlife food plot and performed annual seeding to ensure further growth in both local grasses and the lesser prairie-chicken population.  He then set up dirt tanks—a Texas term for small man-made ponds—in three areas, filled by windmills. Ducks return every year to nest.

James Blackwell, a third-generation Texas landowner, has participated in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) since 1986.

More recently, Blackwell installed water guzzlers—apparatus that catch and hold rain—to provide water where it is scarce. He performed prescribed burns to clear undesirable grasses and shrubs.

His efforts have reached beyond his fence line. Blackwell encourages neighbors to help with conservation efforts. Now, about 1,000 acres near his land is managed to benefit wildlife.

“I wanted to help local wildlife and repair land that became unfit for cultivation because of erosion,” said Blackwell. “These practices have helped the wildlife tremendously…. Mule deer are coming in and the quail population has been re-established. That’s beyond the fact that the practices also stopped erosion.”

Blackwell has been doing his part in CRP for 30 years, but he says he has no intention of slowing his efforts. He knows it’s good for everyone.

“I will continue conservation practices as long as I am alive,” said Blackwell. “It stops sand from blowing around the land, prevents erosion, and attracts wildlife. We want to provide an environment where people can enjoy the outdoors.”

Blackwell says conservation work is a family effort. He says he hopes to pass on sound conservation practices to the next generation.

CRP is a voluntary program that allows eligible landowners to receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish long-term, resource-conserving covers on eligible farmland throughout the duration of their 10-to-15-year contracts.

Since being established on December 23, 1985, CRP has helped prevent more than 8 billion tons of soil from eroding and protected more than 170,000 stream miles with riparian and grass buffers, more than 100,000 acres of bottomland hardwood trees, nearly 300,000 acres of flood-plain wetlands, and 250,000 acres each for duck nesting habitat and upland bird habitat.

2015 marks the 30^th Anniversary of CRP. For an interactive tour of CRP success stories from across the U.S., please visit the FSA CRP 30^th Anniversary website.

Find your local USDA Service Center.