After a successful career in computers and technology, Richard Taylor and his partner Suzie Paris spent many years searching for the perfect place to begin their next adventure. In 2001 they purchased 832 acres in Texas Hill Country and named it the Blue Mountain Peak Ranch due to its position as the highest point in Mason, Texas.They began improving the ranch by cutting Ashe Juniper, first themselves and then with teams of people with chainsaws and with prescribed burns. The removal of bison, traditional livestock management, and a changing climate have contributed to Ashe Juniper exploding across the landscape of Hill Country. Containing the Ashe Juniper to the ravines has led to less runoff and more rainfall absorption, an increase in native flora and fauna, and a rebirth of springs and creeks.During our conversation, Richard and I talk about his selection criteria when shopping for a ranch, how the work done here influences San Antonio and Austin’s water supply, and the ways they control Ashe Juniper, commonly known as cedar to locals. We talk about the importance of a goal statement for most aspects in life, how rising land prices require us to rethink the economic models around land ownership, and the increase in species diversity after controlling the cedar, deer and cowbird populations.NB: Richard misspoke about the general timeframe to build an inch of topsoil. In the references section down below I’ve included a link to just one of many articles that cover this topic. Soil formation rates vary across the planet with slowest rates occurring in cold, dry regions and faster rates in hot, wet regions.There’s a lot packed into this 42-minute episode, so I hope you enjoy!--- FULL EPISODE NOTES WITH LINKS @ https://truestewards.com/richard-taylor ------ TOPICS DISCUSSED ---