Right in the heart of Texas, Red River Ranch reflects the dedication and passion of Morris Morgan, a retired military veteran who transformed his love for the land into a thriving ranching operation. All this, while still keeping conservation and preservation at the forefront. 

With the support of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Morgan has implemented conservation practices that have rejuvenated the ranch, promoting sustainable agriculture and wildlife preservation.

Background and Family History

Morgan was stationed in Germany with the Air Force until 1969. Although raised in Texas, the young veteran ventured to Alaska in 1970, drawn by job opportunities as a lineman. It was there he met his wife, Sharon, of 52 years. 

Although Morris and Sharon’s children reside in Alaska and Portland, Oregon, they remain supportive of their parents' passion for ranching, visiting Red River Ranch during summers. “They’re pretty stoked over what this represents because they can see how their mother and I love this place and what we’ve done. So, they come down as often as they can.” Morgan says. 

In 1976, Sharon visited Texas for the first time and fell in love with Morgan’s parents and the landscape. By 1986, the couple began searching for property while still living in Alaska. They leased land in Texas for ten years before purchasing Red River Ranch in 2004.

As a second-generation rancher, Morgan learned invaluable lessons about land management and wildlife from his father. “My dad and I were really good friends and there was nobody I had more respect for,” Morgan says. At 79 years young, Morgan remains committed to improving and preserving his land, sharing, “I still get up and am excited about what we are doing.” 

A Look at Red River Ranch

Morgan is full of stories of adventure and intrigue passed down by his father about the Red River. “I’d never even seen the river when he was alive. It was after mom and dad passed away in the ‘80s that we came up here and I first saw this country and I fell in love with it.”

The Morgans ran cattle on their land until 2022 when they decided to cull them so that the land could rest. The ranch features three distinct levels: a pine-covered area by the highway, an oak-filled upper bottom, and the lower bottom known as "the wild," which frequently floods from the river.

We wanted to turn it toward a little more natural habitat,” he says. “That way we can have livestock and wildlife. And that’s what we wanted to focus on. To me, it’s a perfect place. It’s got a lot of water. It’s got some good soil. It’s got some badlands. It's got it all.”

Red River Ranch's landscape mirrors Morgan's vision of harmonizing livestock operations with natural habitat restoration. Through careful management and NRCS partnerships, the ranch has evolved into distinct ecological zones, from lush bottomlands along the river to wooded uplands teeming with wildlife.

Because of its proximity to the Red River, acres are gained and lost as the property is always changing. The soil has great water holding capacity so its ability to mitigate and hold the water helps store the water as groundwater. The land also has a lot of plant communities that the wildlife depend on.

Morgan shares that part of their decision to place land into a Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) stemmed from learning that a previous owner had nearly lost his life working on a lower portion of the ranch after a major flood. He decided he’d never put cattle down there. “I said, you know what, we don’t need it. I feel like the wildlife should have it—at least fifty percent. There’s no reason to have more because they can coexist if you do it right,” Morgan says.

NRCS Partnership: A Family Legacy

Morgan's connection with the NRCS began when he moved back to Texas, continuing a legacy started by his father. His father had worked with both the NRCS and for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a time, so it was natural for Morgan to seek their assistance. This partnership led to two major projects: enhancing grazing land for his cattle and establishing a WRE on part of his property.

“They were so good at giving me advice and helping me,” Morgan says. “Especially after my dad passed away. I didn’t have the working knowledge.”

Morgan works closely with Kristi Porter, NRCS Team Leader, Grazing Specialist Brandon Bing, and others at NRCS to achieve his goals. Morgan values their expertise and support, describing them as friends and part of his team.
 

Putting NRCS Conservation Practices into Practice

The partnership with NRCS has been pivotal in realizing Morgan's conservation goals. Through programs like WRE, Red River Ranch has not only protected sensitive wetlands but also created thriving habitats for native species. The NRCS team's support, from planning to implementation, has helped Morgan to make informed decisions that benefit both the land and its inhabitants.

Complementary to this, NRCS conservation practices, including cross-fencing, water management systems, and native grass planting, have revitalized Red River Ranch's biodiversity. Morgan's hands-on approach, coupled with NRCS guidance, has led to remarkable transformations, showcasing the potential for sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation to coexist.

"The land is begging for cattle to come back to help become part of ongoing restoration management," says Porter. Morgan's meticulous planning and planting efforts aim to create a balanced environment for both livestock and wildlife.

As for the WRE, Wesley Tanton, former NRCS Wetland Specialist, describes the work here as being closed or restored. Every year, the NRCS conducts monitoring to make sure the easement is still working correctly. 

The monitoring helps verify the habitat is functioning for wildlife and indicates to the NRCS any additional resource concerns that might need attention. “We’ve taken all the steps and now it’s just as things come up like a tornado or circumstances requiring NRCS to come back out and help. This might include tree planting and grass planting and things like that.”

The Wetland Reserve Easement: A Commitment to the Land

The WRE project on Morgan's property spans about 120 acres, helping protect, restore, and enhance previously degraded wetlands. NRCS assisted in building a dam to manage water flow, creating a rich habitat for wildlife, including white-tailed deer, quail, and waterfowl.
 

“Migratory birds, we take them for granted but it’s a big thing,” Morgan says, “We need to care for them.” 
And so, Morgan took the opportunity to place the land into a WRE not only for protection but to enhance it as a wildlife habitat. 

Despite challenges like the 2015 flood, which destroyed many of the trees they’d planted as part of the effort, the land has rebounded naturally with thriving cottonwoods and diverse plant life. This combination of NRCS intervention and mother nature has turned into something beautiful to which both Morgan and Tanton agree is the “perfect plan.”

“Because at NRCS, we mimic historic hydrology and then nature did what nature does best in regard to vegetation,” Tanton says.

Innovations such as hog wire fencing help keep feral hogs at bay, and beavers have established themselves, further contributing to water management in the area.

The Impact of Restoration

The restored wetlands have become a haven for wildlife, including white-tailed deer, quail, and waterfowl—even a variety of ducks, which Morgan loves. He and his wife, Sharon, enjoy the changes, often sitting on their porch to listen to the birds and other wildlife.

The WRE has been the reason for several instrumental changes, like floodwater retention, improved groundwater quality, and expansive wildlife habitat. 

An oxbow lake, developed as a result of excess silt, mimics historical wetland conditions, and supports various wildlife species like cedar trees and wildflowers. The diversity on Morgan’s land, from the thriving cottonwoods to the up-and-coming stands of Pawpaw trees, showcases the success of their efforts.

“Most of what we’re doing on the easement is mimicking what was historically here, and outside the easement is everything according to Mr. Morgan’s goals,” Tanton says. 

Leaving a Legacy of Stewardship

The WRE exemplifies Morgan's commitment to preserving natural heritage. By restoring wetlands and enhancing wildlife habitats, the WRE not only safeguards critical ecosystems but also provides recreational and educational opportunities for future generations.

The success of the easement reflects Morgan's holistic approach to land management. By integrating wildlife corridors, native plantings, and water conservation measures, Red River Ranch has become a masterclass of environmental stewardship.

Morgan’s ethos of sharing knowledge extends to innovative practices like tree grafting and habitat restoration. His collaboration with NRCS goes beyond project boundaries, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation. His dedication to conservation extends beyond his ranch. He actively shares his knowledge with the community, conducting grafting classes for NRCS and U.S. Forest Service personnel. His hands-on approach and willingness to teach others underscore his commitment to environmental stewardship.

“You get inspired by a man like Mr. Morgan when he talks the grafting of the trees and the grasslands, trying to restore it back to its historic community,” Bing says. “You can’t help but be inspired and want to take some of that home with you.”

Sustainability in Action

Red River Ranch and Morgan's story of conservation epitomize the synergy between human ingenuity and ecological resilience. Through partnerships with NRCS and a deep-rooted respect for the land, Morgan has created a legacy of sustainability and conservation. 

“He’s a steward of the resource base and leaves no stone unturned. He considers all species. It’s about life begetting life out here and that seems to be his overall mission. You get that feeling if you spend any time with him that he’s integrated to the land,” Bing says of working with Morgan. “He tells stories on the land and the land tells stories on him. You can see his passion about it and the passion is contagious.” 

Red River Ranch is a great example of the impact of sustainable land management. The land stands as a testament to the power of collective action in preserving our natural heritage for generations to come.

“I get up in the morning and I feel like I’m part of the place,” Morgan says. “I want to protect it.”