Clayton and Modesta Williams receive praise for innovative land preservation (complete article from source)
Source: MyWestTexas News, by Kathleen Thurber
April 18, 2008
When the Aggies lose, ranching in a way that improves upon the land is Clayton Williams' favorite thing -- and when his beloved team wins, he said, ranching comes in a close second.
"It's just part of my life," Williams said matter-of-factly before he and his wife Modesta were honored with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation's Conservation Champions Award Thursday. "It's been a very important part."
As soon as the couple acquired their ranch land about 35 years ago, said Dick Davis, the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, they started restoring the property that had been overgrazed and abused in the past.
The award, he said, is presented to conservationists in Texas and is being given to Clayton and Modesta Williams this year because of their innovative techniques to restore and conserve land.
"It's very obvious when you see their property that they love the land," said former mayor Ernie Angelo, who is on the board of directors for the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
The Williamses not only have done things such as taking advantage of the limited West Texas rainfall in ways not often utilized, Angelo said, they've also designated more than 70,000 acres as agricultural conservation easements, which means the property will be conserved for agricultural uses and natural scenery for years to come.
A lot of people don't realize the West Texas land is so fragile, Williams said. But, while it took 65 million years for soil to accumulate, it doesn't take many years to ruin.
He said many land practices that have been utilized for years actually are harmful to the property and being a good steward of the land simply means not following past traditions, but paying attention to what really makes property more productive.
"Someone said that's my golf," he said. "Enjoying and improving land."
As Williams preserves his land, said Blair Fitzsimons, interim executive director of the Texas Agricultural Land Trust, many ranches today are being subdivided or developed due to current industry pressures.
Hopefully, she said, Williams' initiative to designate such a large easement and keep the land in tact and will trickle down to other property owners.
"A lot of people pay attention to what he does," Fitzsimons said.
After posing for some pictures while convincing Mayor Wes Perry and others to hold up an Aggie sign with him, Williams said the award was a surprising honor and one that validates the importance of being a good steward of the land.
At 76, Williams said, he's realized how short life is and enjoys improving upon the land that will be here longer than any enjoying it today.
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