LUBBOCK — Texas Agricultural Land Trust has announced a new campaign to raise awareness for the contributions of private working lands to the water supply.

The campaign is called No Land, No Water.

Texas land is 97 percent privately owned and in rural areas, according to TALT.

“When it rains in Texas, that rain falls largely on privately owned farms and ranches,” CEO Blair Fitzsimons said in a news release. “With proper stewardship, these lands capture and clean the water that recharges our aquifers and rivers and supply our drinking water.”

Now, rural lands are being rapidly developed, which increases the risk of soil erosion, limited aquifer recharge and other troubles.

“The conservation of Texas’ private working lands is one of the most immediate and cost-effective ways to ensure a future of abundant, clean water for all Texans,” Fitzsimons said.

No Land, No Water encourages investment and participation in the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program, which provides one-time payments to landowners who agree to permantly keep their land in agricultural use rather than release it for development.

“TALT is excited to begin this conversation with Texas and we look forward to collaborating with groups and individuals who are concerned about the future of our land and water resources in,” Fitzsimons said.

Funding for the campaign is provided by the George and Cynthia Mitchell Foundation, Houston Endowment Inc. (a philanthropy endowed by Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones), the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation and the Meadows Foundation.

To join the campaign or for more information visit www.nolandnowater .org or follow No Land, No Water on social media.

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Amarillo Globe News