by Jame Moore
The spotlight shines on Captain Richard King and his heirs. Sitting at No. 7 on the ‘Land Report’s Top 100’ list of landowners, the King Ranch Heirs are known by many. What might not be as well known, however, is the fact that No. 7 has a direct relation to No. 46 on that list — the incredibly hard-working East Wildlife Foundation.
Owning over 200,000 acres, it is the East Wildlife Foundation that is responsible for managing half-a-dozen ranches dedicated to the 
lifelong dream and work of Robert East — a man who was the great-grandson of Captain King.
When Robert East passed on June 18, 2007, the East Wildlife Foundation came into being. East was always concerned about enhancing the tether between South Texas livestock and the surrounding wildlife, wanting to make this area a true conservation project that would help enhance and maintain habitats, as well as promote the benefits of ranching and private land ownership to all people who were interested in being a part of that world.
When it comes to research and education, the East Wildlife Foundation is among the elite. They offer outreach programs; they constantly strive to promote and support wildlife conservation on native rangelands; and focus on finding ways for the past and the present to work as a team.
When it comes to the menu of charitable activities that the Foundation represents, the list is long. The key goal is to make sure that wisdom and knowledge is continuously attained so Mother Nature can be better preserved. They strive to help people learn the complex web that connects wildlife and livestock on these native rangelands. They study and document the biodiversity and native ecological conditions, and do all they can to enhance wildlife resources so livestock production in this area can grow.
As we all know, climate change is a huge concern in this day and age. And when it comes to this particular region, recurring drought concerns are great. By utilizing an extensive network of education, research and skill, the Foundation takes care of hundreds of thousands of acres of native South Texas rangeland in order to provide a healthier America for the next generation to enjoy.
Broken up into six separate ranches, the actual headquarters of the Foundation are located on the 148,000-acre historic property, San Antonio Viejo Ranch. It is a fact that the East Wildlife Foundation’s ranchlands are located across some of the best and most diverse wildlife habitats that the U.S. has to offer.
Native rangeland, working cattle ranches — the Foundation has a field laboratory that’s been established to solve problems, and discover better ways each and every day to increase the wealth and health of the land.
This is not an understatement by any means. Top university scientists and graduate students are at the core of the Foundation’s in-depth field studies. With these hard-working minds, problems are not only solved, but habitats thrive and future scientists are born.
The East Wildlife Foundation ongoing research projects are many; from the exploration of ranch vegetation to working on grazing issues, and examining the debates between the increase in economy from hunters versus the negatives that hunting brings about. Through investigation and discovery, grazing enclosures have been established and vegetation is counted on to allow the lands to thrive when livestock is removed.
With the constant work being done on East Wildlife Foundation Properties — everything from migratory patterns of bird species to breeding to preserving wildlife — this is one ‘team’ that has earned a much-needed spotlight in the world of landowners and conservation.
Mr. East can be very proud!
To Learn more about the Land Report visit: www.LandReport.com
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