The Powell Ranch seeks to be more than a low-fence ranch visited by ranging wildlife. The PR is making strides to improve native habitat for wildlife guided by TP&WD Wildlife Biologist Cullom Simpson, Prescribed Fire Coordinator Thomas S. Janke of the nonprofit corporations, Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever and the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture, and Private Lands Consulting Biologist Scott Summers. Long term conservation goals for the PR include restoration of native prairie grasses for wildlife. The ranch has been deliberately under stocked with Texas Longhorns that evolved to graze and browse much like native wildlife. The first and most difficult step is the removal of invasive Ashe junipers. Fourteen acres have been cleared of invasive cedar, burned, reseeded, and fenced. It is anticipated the successive tracts will be similarly restored annually. Each summer, invasive mesquite trees are cut and chemically treated. Some mesquites are deliberately left to be half-cut for the protection of ground dwelling birds. Eventually, the property will be cross fenced with added water sources to allow for rotational grazing. The PR has invited Boy Scouts to construct wildlife guzzlers for additional water sources and bird boxes as a part of the scouts’ Distinguished Conservation Service Award Projects. The PR has volunteered to be a research site for the Quail Research Laboratory, a part of the new National Laboratory for Gamebird Research at Texas A&M-Commerce, with the mission to foster sustainable gamebird populations through innovative research, education, and collaboration.