The San Pedro Ranch owned by Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Joseph Fitzsimons and his family has received the 2005 Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship Award from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assoc. and the Texas Section of the Society for Range Management.

The award was presented Oct. 6 at the TSSRM annual awards banquet at South Padre Island. This is the second year for this award, which was created “to recognize those who have demonstrated outstanding skill and knowledge in practicing sound management and care of rangeland resources.”

An award nomination letter said “the San Pedro Ranch shows great biodiversity, improved water and nutrient cycles and healthy wildlife habitat compatible with a successful livestock grazing program.” The awards committee also noted that “the family was willing to share what they’ve done and has hosted workshops and tours to showcase conservation management practices over the years.”

The 24,000-acre ranch is in Dimmitt County southwest of Carrizo Springs.