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Worth Ranch
Wildfire Mitigation
and
Hardwood Revitalization Plan
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Introduction
In April of 2011, the Worth Ranch Maintenance and Facilities Committee began working with members
of the Longhorn Council Risk Management Committee to identify risks and concerns at Worth Ranch.
In the months to follow, several meetings took place to identify ways to incorporate risk items that had been identified
into upcoming projects to help remediate issues where possible. Two of the primary concerns were the risk of fire at the
camp and invasive plant species (Salt Cedar and Juniper). Then
came the fires during the Spring and then again during Summer Camp, confirming the need for this project.
Objectives
Members of the Worth Ranch Maintenance and Facilities Committee are still working on drafting a
final risk management abatement plan with input from representatives from the Palo Pinto Volunteer
Fire Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board, Longhorn
Council Facilities Manager, past and present Worth Ranch Rangers and other concerned volunteers.
The plan will take several years to complete and will become an ongoing effort for maintenance at the
camp.
Key objectives in the plan already include:

Removal or significant trimming of trees within 25 feet of any building or structure. Most of the
removal will be focused on the Juniper trees while other hardwoods will be trimmed back.
Trimming will be done to insure that no limbs are touching the roofs, not only for fire prevention
but also to reduce roof damage.

Trees within 25-50 feet of buildings or structures will be trimmed to raise the base of the canopy to
at least 6 feet off the ground. This helps reduce the risk of the tree catching fire in a grass fire were
to start.

Increasing the distance between the trees and the road on the main road into camp. This is to
help reduce the risk to Fire Fighters, Scouts, Scouters or others of being trapped in camp should
there be a large fire in the camp. The is especially important since we have only one road in and
out of Worth Ranch.

Increase the clearance height to at least 13 feet on the roads throughout camp. This will allow fire
department brush trucks access to all parts of camp.

Improve access to the sand bar road between Travis and Bowie Campsites. The fire department
has pumps they can use to fill their trucks from the river if they can gain access to the river at the
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sand bar.

Supply a connection of 3-6” to the main camp water tank that is accessible by a fire truck.

Provide the fire department with maps showing utilities , water sources and propane tanks.

Removal or trimming of junipers that are crowding hardwoods and other species.

Planting of drought resistant trees native to the area where possible.

Allowing grass to grow in some areas. Some seeding may be necessary.

Replacing composite shingles with metal roofs , when it comes time to replace them

Providing better communications and warning systems throughout camp

Improve the roads to allow better accessibility for service and emergency vehicles while being
more restrictive of personal vehicles in campsites
The Plan
Though the final plan is still being finalized, there are some efforts already underway.


Currently underway: Removal or trimming of trees from around buildings on the parade ground

Using chainsaws, bow saws and other devices , remove or trim back juniper and other
trees from around the program building and the parade ground buildings.

Major trunks and limbs will be cut and set aside for fence posts and rails, pioneering poles
or firewood to be used by Scouts.

Smaller limbs and brush will be chipped and used to prevent erosion and compaction on
trails and other heavily traveled areas around camp.

Old brush piles and downed limbs will be removed and either chipped or burned.
Fall 2012

Begin planting trees in areas identified as needing replanting.

Begin increasing the distance between the tree line and the main road into camp.
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You Can Help

If you are a member of a Pack, Troop or Crew that would like to assist with this effort, please
contact [email protected].

We will need help

Applying wood chips to trails and heavily traveled areas

Planting trees and saplings
Remember
Worth Ranch has not always been covered in Juniper. Viewing photos from the 30’s and 40’s reveals
that Kyle Mountain was virtually bare. No, there is no intention of trimming to that extent, and in
many parts of the camp little or nothing will change. Those who have not been to the camp in five or
six years may not notice anything out of the ordinary. The intent is to help preserve and protect the
assets of the camp for generations to come.
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