Established in 1834, Fennessey Ranch is located just outside of Refugio, Texas. It is a rich network of meadows, brush, prairie, freshwater wetlands, natural lakes and riparian woodlands. This 3,261-acre wildlife oasis is host to numerous types of birds, plants, amphibians, reptiles, insects and mammals. The Ranch is designed to be an environmentally friendly business that profits from traditional livestock ranching and other endeavors, with partnership and support from The University of Texas at Austin. A stop on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, Fennessey Ranch has nine linear miles of river frontage on the Mission River.
About the Ranch
420
species of birds
50
species of amphibians and reptiles
70
species of moths and butterflies
UT Partnership
In 2006, the privately owned Fennessey Ranch came under a conservation easement granted by the Brien O’Connor Dunn estate to The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System. The conservation easement was purchased by The University of Texas at Austin from a grant received from the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. The reserve system is a network of 29 areas, established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), representing different biogeographic regions of the United States that are protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. Each reserve is managed by a lead state agency or university, with input from local stakeholders. The University of Texas at Austin is the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve’s lead state partner.
The conservation easement restricts development from occurring and ensures that the valuable habitats of Fennessey Ranch will continue to support wildlife well into the future. The easement also provides increased access for the public, access for monitoring land management practices, and provides educational and research opportunities to highlight the importance of healthy coastal ecosystems.
Research & Monitoring
Fennessey Ranch provides valuable opportunities for conducting research on a variety of topics, including habitat mapping, water quality and quantity, restoration science and ecosystem services. Scientists interested in conducting research on the ranch should contact Mission-Aransas Reserve Manager Katie Swanson.
Additionally, monitoring programs enhance management decisions that improve the conservation value of the Ranch.
- Wildlife Monitoring on the Ranch provides an estimation of species diversity, species numbers, annual population trends, population density, age structure, or sex ratio using accepted survey techniques. Regular, periodic counts of nongame wildlife species are also used to enhance management or increase knowledge of local, regional or state status. This practice includes developing checklists of wildlife diversity for the property and utilizing national online databases.
- Vegetation Monitoring includes observations of percent cover (trees, shrubs and grasses/forbs), soil type and species present. These observations allow staff to monitor short-term variability and long-term changes in the vegetative communities of the Ranch, and it also serves to determine species diversity and presence of invasive species.
- Hydrology: Monitoring occurs with a water quality station on the Mission River. The Ranch has also provided opportunities for researchers to understand the impacts of flood or drought events on vegetation and wildlife.
Visiting or Volunteering on the Ranch
Visiting the Ranch is available by reservation only. Please contact Joan Garland, or call (361) 749-6806 for more information and to book a tour. An array of unique recreational and educational opportunities are available, including:
- World class birding/nature trips
- Photography tours
- Training opportunities
- Customized group tours
Fennessey Ranch also offers year-round volunteer opportunities to work on habitat management and educational programs and tours. Contact Joan about volunteer activities such as:
- Bird, wildlife and vegetation monitoring
- Birding/nature tours
- Invasive species control
- Special events
Stories of the Ranch
The History of Fennessey Ranch
Learn about the history of The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute Fennessey Ranch.
Unlikely Partners: Bees and Turtles
Honey bees and sea turtles may seem like strange bedfellows, but through two of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve's (NERR) stewardship programs – Fennessey Ranch and the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) – these two species are connected through a unique collaboration.
