433
Caliche Pit Restoration Across PUF Lands
For over a century, caliche limestone has been mined across PUF Lands in West Texas. Oil and gas operators, the Texas Department of Transportation, and county governments have used this material for roads, highways, and pad sites, leaving behind excavations known as caliche pits. These abandoned pits pose safety hazards and environmental risks, prompting University Lands (UL) to take action. As part of its commitment to responsible land management, UL launched an innovative caliche pit restoration program aimed at transforming these non- productive sites into thriving habitats. Key steps include: • Contouring and Stabilizing: Reshaping and sloping pit shoulders using overburden or spoil material. • Rebuilding Ecosystems: Preparing seed beds and planting pollinator-friendly, region-specific seed mixes. • Supporting Growth: Watering newly seeded areas for a month to ensure healthy germination in the arid West Texas climate. This effort goes beyond aesthetics, rejuvenating the land by converting barren pits into water catchments and restores native habitats for livestock and wildlife. Additional benefits include: • Increased Carbon Storage: Vegetation captures carbon and enriches the soil. • Improved Water Infiltration : Reclaimed land enhances rainwater retention and aquifer recharge. • Reduced Soil Erosion: Stabilized surfaces prevent further degradation. UL’s caliche pit restoration program exemplifies its leadership in land stewardship and environmental best practices. By addressing long-standing landscape scars, UL restores the natural beauty and functionality of the land while safeguarding it for future generations. This initiative reflects UL’s unwavering dedication to sustainability and its role as a responsible steward of Texas lands.
Caliche Pit Restoration in Progress
Et parisciis aut faccusa
Reclaimed Caliche Pit
ANNUAL REPORT 2024
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker