Feb, 9 / 2025
JKR Secures Permanent Protection for Land and Creates Endowment
Conservation Easement at John Knox Ranch
Watch a short video on our Conservation Easement. Feel free to share!
This project not only secures the future of John Knox Ranch, it helps fulfill our mission "to foster experiences of Christian community in the beauty of God's creation."
Over 60 years ago, leaders in Mission Presbytery had the foresight to purchase the land for John Knox Ranch and set it aside for the use of camp and retreat ministry. Our 300 acres of beautiful Texas Hill Country, and our spring-fed Blue Hole in particular, are unique natural resources and spiritual places that must be protected.
Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) and John Knox Ranch (JKR) have partnered on a conservation easement on 255 acres of the 300-acre John Knox Ranch. The HCC-held easement will protect the property’s important water and wildlife resources, and John Knox Ranch will continue operating as a nonprofit summer camp and retreat center.
A conservation easement conserves natural land for generations while realizing some of the monetary value of the land now. In exchange for committing to never subdivide or develop a significant portion of the John Knox property, we received substantial funds to use for camp ministry through long-range planning and site upgrades as well as setting up an endowment for JKR. We are thrilled to partner with Hill Country Conservancy. HCC has a stellar reputation as a land trust and a vision for preserving our beloved Texas Hill Country.
This scale of project isn’t possible without the patient work of dozens and dozens of people from many organizations. Many thanks to the members and leaders of Mission Presbytery (our governing body), the team of experts and advisors that helped throughout the process, the voters who approved the Hays County conservation bond, and all the funders (government entities, foundations, and private donors) that contributed to this project.
Over 60 years ago, leaders in the Presbyterian Church had the foresight to purchase this land and set it aside for the use of camp and retreat ministry. Now, we stand on their shoulders and grasp a vision of permanent protection for this sacred ground as well as permanent financial protection for camp ministry in Mission Presbytery to benefit generations to come.
Read, Share, and Download the Press Release here
Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) and John Knox Ranch (JKR) have partnered on a conservation easement on 255 acres of the 300-acre John Knox Ranch. The HCC-held easement will protect the property’s important water and wildlife resources, and John Knox Ranch will continue operating as a nonprofit summer camp and retreat center.
A conservation easement conserves natural land for generations while realizing some of the monetary value of the land now. In exchange for committing to never subdivide or develop a significant portion of the John Knox property, we received substantial funds to use for camp ministry through long-range planning and site upgrades as well as setting up an endowment for JKR. We are thrilled to partner with Hill Country Conservancy. HCC has a stellar reputation as a land trust and a vision for preserving our beloved Texas Hill Country.
This scale of project isn’t possible without the patient work of dozens and dozens of people from many organizations. Many thanks to the members and leaders of Mission Presbytery (our governing body), the team of experts and advisors that helped throughout the process, the voters who approved the Hays County conservation bond, and all the funders (government entities, foundations, and private donors) that contributed to this project.
Over 60 years ago, leaders in the Presbyterian Church had the foresight to purchase this land and set it aside for the use of camp and retreat ministry. Now, we stand on their shoulders and grasp a vision of permanent protection for this sacred ground as well as permanent financial protection for camp ministry in Mission Presbytery to benefit generations to come.
Read, Share, and Download the Press Release here
Conservation Easement Signing day!
Read and Download the Press Release here
Read and Download the Press Release here
Conservation Easement Map
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