Land Acquisition – Calhoun County - Approximately 7,500 Acres at the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area

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Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Presenter: Ted Hollingsworth

Action
Land Acquisition – Calhoun County
Approximately 7,500 Acres at the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area
November 5, 2026

I.      Executive Summary: Staff requests authorization to acquire a 7,500-acre parcel adjacent to the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area (WMA) from a willing seller.

II.     Discussion: The 15,151-acre Powderhorn WMA was established in 2018 following a multi-organization effort to acquire and hold the property pending purchase with funds resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The WMA preserves the northeastern extent of the Ingleside Sand formation, which was once a barrier island. Ingleside prairies and potholes support unique communities of plants and animals and are critical for migratory waterfowl and wading birds, including the endangered whooping crane.

Acquisition of more of the original Powderhorn Ranch has been a goal for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its conservation partners ever since the WMA and state park were established. The owners of “Powderhorn West” have agreed to sell 7,500 acres of the approximately 10,000-acre ranch to The Conservation Fund, which will simultaneously convey the property to TPWD at closing. The Wildlife Division plans to call this tract the “Coloma Creek Unit.” Acquisition would add significant wetland and upland habitats representing the unique Ingleside Sand geological and ecological system.

III.   Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission authorizes the Executive Director to take all necessary steps to acquire from a willing seller approximately 7,500 acres at the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area.”

1. Exhibit A – Location Map
2. Exhibit B – Vicinity Map
3. Exhibit C – Site Map of Proposed Acquisition

Commission Agenda Item No 7
Exhibit A

Location Map for the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area
Calhoun County

Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit B

Vicinity Map for the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area
Approximately 15 Miles Southeast of Port Lavaca

Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit C

Site Map of Proposed Acquisition
Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area Outlined in Red
Subject Tract Outlined in Yellow