A ranch family in the Hill Country has chosen to protect more than 1,000 acres for good. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced on Oct. 22 that a conservation easement now covers Cherry Springs Ranch, which straddles the Blanco and Burnet County line north of Johnson City. Lee, Lee & Puckitt, the San Angelo ranch brokerage, explains what the easement covers and why landowners in Blanco County are watching tools like it closely.
About Cherry Springs Ranch
According to NRCS, the ranch covers roughly 1,038 to 1,048 acres over two watersheds, Lake Travis and the Pedernales River. It holds about 37,640 linear feet of waterways, including Sycamore Creek, Cypress Creek, Fall Creek and many springs. The land includes cliffs, grottos, old rock walls and even sauropod tracks. The Edwards family turned the ranch toward wildlife management in the early 2000s, and a survey counted 77 bird species there, including the Golden cheeked Warbler.
The easement was made with the Hill Country Conservancy. It also includes outdoor lighting terms meant to keep the night sky dark.
Why Landowners Choose Easements
A conservation easement is a voluntary agreement. The family keeps ownership and keeps ranching, and in return gives up certain development rights forever. Many families use easements to keep a ranch together across generations, and depending on the program, an easement can bring a payment or tax benefits. Every easement is different, so owners should work with an attorney, a tax advisor and an appraiser who knows ranch land.
Water Is the Story in Blanco County
The Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District has the county in Drought Stage 3, Severe Drought, which calls for a 20 to 50 percent cut in groundwater use. Under the district’s rules, livestock should be watered in leak proof troughs, and filling ponds and surface tanks with groundwater is restricted. That makes creeks and springs like those on Cherry Springs even more valuable.
What It Means for Blanco County Buyers and Sellers
Live water is the single biggest driver of price in this part of the Hill Country. Ranches with spring fed creeks near Johnson City and Blanco draw strong interest from buyers in Austin and San Antonio. Owners weighing an easement should know how it may affect value, financing and future sales before signing.
A Note on Endangered Species
The Golden cheeked Warbler nests in mature Ashe juniper and oak woodland across Blanco and Burnet counties. Owners planning brush work in that kind of habitat can get guidance from Texas Parks and Wildlife or a private wildlife biologist first, which protects both the bird and the landowner. Planning ahead keeps cedar clearing, fencing and road work on schedule and avoids surprises during a sale.
Get a Second Opinion on Value
Lee, Lee & Puckitt appraises and sells ranch land across the Hill Country. Call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com to talk about your Blanco County place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cherry Springs Ranch easement? A permanent conservation easement on about 1,048 acres in Blanco and Burnet counties, announced by NRCS on Oct. 22, 2026, protecting creeks and springs that feed Lake Travis and the Colorado River.
Does a landowner still own land under a conservation easement? Yes. The owner keeps title and can keep ranching. The easement limits certain kinds of development.
What drought stage is Blanco County in? The Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District lists Drought Stage 3, Severe, with a 20 to 50 percent reduction goal for groundwater use.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt is a farm and ranch real estate company whose partners run cattle themselves. Since 1962 the firm has sold ranches and provided appraisals across Texas and New Mexico.
Sources
- USDA NRCS Texas, “Conservation Easement Ensures Waterways Remain Pristine, Blanco and Burnet Counties, Texas,” Oct. 22, 2026
- Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, Drought page, accessed Oct. 2026
- Related: Hill Country listings, Land appraisals
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pedernales_falls.jpg). Cropped.
