Nature-based tourism on private ranches in south Texas: a case study of management trade-offs associated with enterprise diversification on the Kenedy Ranch

Abstract

The increasing number Texas landowners owners seeking additional sources of ranching income and the growing demand for nature-based recreational opportunities have prompted many land managers to consider including nature tourism as part of their ranching operations. Diversification of enterprises, particularly regarding non-consumptive wildlife enterprises, poses new management challenges. Land managers and advisors need methods for gathering information and data and an understanding of the potential trade-offs associated with habitat management for multiple objectives. This research employs a case study approach to analyze the ecological and economic trade-offs associated with managing lands for multiple objectives, specifically the conflicts and complimentarities of specified vegetation management for the mix of livestock, hunting, and birding enterprises. The study assesses the degree to which a specified set of range improvement practices for grazing and hunting enterprises on three ecologically distinct sites on the Kenedy Ranch are competitive or complimentary with the management requirements to support bird habitat. The study integrates integrated brush management systems analysis, decision support tools, quantitative data, and an expert panel data collection method to assesses the economic feasibility and outcomes associated with range improvements for multiple objectives.