David Touchon, The Cibolo Land Manager
Looking upon the wasteland in the wake of the “Great Ice Storm of 2026”, a couple of theories and questions came to mind as I watched my birdfeeder being rampaged. No matter where you go on the planet, there are five requirements that every animal (and plant) must have to survive. Many land management efforts are directed towards promoting these five requirements in a balanced, appropriate manner.
I grew up hunting and fishing, which took me afield at a young age. Some trips into the wild were better than others and we always remember the extraordinarily fantastic ones. Why did the great trips make such a memory?
Modern day land management is no different than a day in the field: What would you like to see and how would you find that perfect balance between Food, Water, Shelter, Space and Arrangement.
Food, everything needs food to survive. Competition for food in the Texas Hill Country among the citizens of the forest can be tough, and seasonal food offerings vary in quality following seasonal rhythms. There is an invisible standard that lays upon the land, and it is known as “K” or carrying capacity. When you exceed “K” you will see a degradation of the land in the form of excessive herbivory, overuse and lower diversity. Supplemental feeding is a real thing, however it comes with some cautionary requirements.
Water! The Texas Hill Country is known for its wide variety of springs, creeks and rivers that promote life within the wildlands, also referred as “Ready Water”. Many specialist species meet their daily water requirement through diet, with occasional trips to the watering hole in drier times.
Shelter comes in many forms, and everyone knows about the comfy couch that you like to “Loaf” upon. “Loafing” areas are the gold standard for everything wild! Thick, dense, vegetative cover allows the critters to nestle away and find respite from cold winds or hot sun. “Loafing” cover doubles as escape cover, depending on the size of the animal you are managing for. Just think about the perfect hammock hanging spot on a warm summer evening and you will understand. The world needs more “Loafing”.
Space is everywhere and everything needs some elbow room to do “their thing”. Space is the empty void between things, not “occupied” and free of obstruction. Space provides room to roam, run, feed, flee, walk, fly, swim and see. “Parking” the wildland understory can open areas very quickly but at what cost? Density and spacing are incredibly subjective and much like bad haircut, it will grow out over time.
Suitable arrangement is the final component that binds the four requirements together. Top tier management practices strive for a perfect mélange of components that allow wildlife to transition between food, water, shelter and space with a casual pace. Habitat fragmentation within the Urban Interface can affect movement, so a mosaic approach of microclimates could render great rewards.
Take a moment to examine your requirements and I will see you in the Prairie!
