Conservation

In 1998 a 30-year conservation easement was initiated with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to cost-share restoration of 815 acres of degraded wetland to its native vegetation, function and values under the Wetlands Reserve Program. Over 200 acres of shallow water wetland have been created by erecting a mosaic of levees and pools to impound water for wildlife habitat. Additional partnerships with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited and American Forests have been established to restore remaining portions of the property to its original beauty and function. Restoration has encompassed planting thousands of native hardwood trees that were characteristic of the original landscape, returning the drained cropland into a functioning wetland with values hospitable to wildlife, and retaining or improving the aesthetic values of the land. Pine has been planted adjacent to the public roads to provide a privacy barrier for wildlife. In 2002, Greenwood received the statewide Lone Star Land Steward Award. The award was presented by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to recognize outstanding wildlife conservation and habitat restoration for the Post Oak Savannah eco-region.