Welcoming Future Generations of Land Stewards

Protecting a Family's Land Legacy for Future Generations

Perry Donop Jr. is absolutely thrilled to be a grandfather. His son, Perry Donop III and his wife Traci became parents in February 2024, bringing Perry Donop IV into the world. On Father’s Day this year, they made a pilgrimage to the grave of Perry Jr.’s father, Perry Donop MD, and four generations were captured in one snapshot. Perry Donop MD practiced in San Antonio and Fredericksburg, and worked hard to take care of the land he cherished, which he inherited from his father and mother, August and Mary Donop.

Perry Donop Jr. learned his love for the land from his father and has shared that passion with his son, who will no doubt pass it on to Perry IV. The family is fortunate to have inherited several ranches in Central Texas, including one in Mason County right on the Llano River. The Mason County ranch was founded in 1859, one of only a handful of Texas ranches that have been stewarded by the same family for that many generations. The ranch was honored in 2010 with the prestigious Family Land Heritage Award from the Texas Department of Agriculture.

That love for the land led the elder Donop to place a conservation easement on the Mason County ranch in 2020 with the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT), a decision that has been affirmed again and again in the last four years.

“The majority of land around me has been cut up into little pieces and sold off,” said Donop Jr. “Since we closed on the easement, a large tract across the river from us was sold by the children of the owner when he died, and it’s now being sold off in 20-acre lots. I am at peace knowing that will never happen to this ranch, and I know my dad would appreciate it, too.”

Just last month, TALT visited the ranch for the annual monitoring visit, which is required by the terms of the easement.

“It was a great visit, and the TALT folks are always very helpful,” he said. “I would advise anyone who is thinking of protecting their land legacy for their children and grandchildren to seek advice from TALT. I am very glad we did.”

Read more about the Donop family's long history of land stewardship.

Visit our Website

No Land = No Water

As we endure the dog days of summer in Texas, the value of a raindrop seems ever more precious. The Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT) understands what private landowners bring to the water equation in the Lone Star State. We know that rural working lands are key to protecting Texas’ drinking water, and we do our best to share this good news far and wide.

Since 2007, TALT has entered into conservation easements with 47 families, forever protecting more than 280,000 acres of working lands. Our data experts estimate that these easements help conserve more than 76 billion gallons of water annually.

Investing in Conservation Yields Huge Returns

A recent report by our colleagues at Texan by Nature documents the value of investing in conservation across the state. The Return on Conservation™ Report, analyzed conservation investments and financial return value across the state and determined that $639 million in conservation investment yielded over $2.8 billion in return on investment in 2019.

View Here

Invest in the Future of Texas

Thanks to landowners like Perry Donop Jr., the future of Texas’ working lands is a little more secure. As we learn more about the value of conservation and more fully understand how healthy rural land is critical to the health and well-being of us all, the importance of TALT’s work is underscored yet again.

But we can’t do it without you. Our work is fueled by private philanthropy from corporations, nonprofit organizations and many generous individuals.

We sincerely appreciate your support.

Donate Here

Spotlight on the Birdwell and Clark Ranch

TALT’s Innovation Summit will be hosted at the Birdwell and Clark Ranch in North Texas on October 10. We’re assembling an amazing group of speakers and panelists, and we’re thrilled to share them with you! Visit our site now to see the full line up.

Read Noble's Article Here