Wildlife Management Plans
Qualifying your land for 1-d-1 open-space agricultural tax valuation through wildlife management in the Central Texas Cross Timbers ecoregion.
What is a Wildlife Management Plan?
A wildlife management plan is a written document that describes your property, its existing wildlife habitat, and the specific management practices you will carry out to support native wildlife. In Texas, a qualifying plan is required to obtain or maintain 1-d-1 open-space agricultural valuation under the wildlife management use category.
Each plan is tailored to the individual property — its soils, vegetation, water features, and the native species present. Plans prepared by Cross Timbers Land & Water Solutions are written to meet the requirements of the local appraisal district and are grounded in the ecology of the Central Texas Cross Timbers ecoregion.
1-d-1 Agricultural Valuation
Texas law allows landowners to maintain open-space agricultural tax valuation by actively managing their property for native wildlife. This wildlife management use category can be a practical alternative to traditional agricultural uses such as livestock grazing or hay production.
To qualify, a landowner must implement at least three of seven recognized wildlife management practices each year and document those activities in an annual report. The plan and reports must demonstrate a sustained effort to support a sustaining breeding, migrating, or wintering population of indigenous wild animals. Exact documentation standards can vary slightly by appraisal district.
Seven recognized practices
- Habitat control
- Erosion control
- Predator management
- Providing supplemental water
- Providing supplemental food
- Providing shelters
- Census counts
Landowners must implement at least three of these seven practices each year to maintain wildlife management use valuation.
Annual Reports
Each year, landowners must submit an annual report to their county appraisal district documenting the wildlife management practices completed during the tax year. A well-prepared report is clear, specific, and supported by field observations.
We prepare annual reports that accurately reflect the work done on your land and satisfy appraisal district reviewers. Reports are prepared in coordination with you to capture the full scope of your management activities.
How it works
Site visit
We walk the property together — looking at soils, vegetation, water, and wildlife sign. This is the foundation of everything that follows. A site visit is typical for a new plan, and sometimes for an annual report.
Plan preparation
A written wildlife management plan is prepared that describes your land, its resources, and the practices you will implement. The plan is written to meet appraisal district requirements.
Annual reporting
Each year we prepare your annual report documenting completed practices. You stay current with your appraisal district and your valuation remains intact.
Cross Timbers Land & Water Solutions, LLC prepares the plan and annual reports. The landowner is responsible for implementing the wildlife management practices on their property.
Helpful resources
State agency links, extension programs, and county appraisal district websites for all eight service counties.
Ready to get started?
Whether you need a new wildlife management plan or help maintaining an existing one, reach out. The first conversation is always free.