Working with Private Landowners

For assistance with accessibility on any TPWD documents, please contact accessibility@tpwd.state.tx.us

Texans’ quality of life depends on sound land management on private lands.

Landowners provide recreational opportunities and maintain water quality and wildlife diversity. TPWD cannot succeed in its responsibilities to protect fish and wildlife resources without good partnerships with private landowners. The Department also cannot serve the public’s demand for outdoor recreation without the efforts of private landowners. The Department recognizes both the intrinsic and the economic value of good stewardship on land and supports landowners who assume this responsibility.

Texas leads the nation in the actual number of hunters, the overwhelming majority of which hunt on private lands. TPWD encourages and assists landowners who wish to provide this and other recreational opportunities. It also helps facilitate good conservation decisions that landowners make on their lands through its programs and by producing a wide array of educational materials.

Current programs and tools include the Technical Guidance Program, Landowner Incentive Program, Wildlife Management Tax Valuation assistance, information on private land trusts and the Lone Star Land Steward Awards. The Department coordinates federal programs that provide conservation incentives to landowners and facilitates the development of private wildlife management associations and land trusts.