Properties are included in either the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve or Water Quality Protection Lands because they are important in fulfilling the mission of these programs. Just as a homeowner wants to protect the integrity of their investment by maintaining the boundary of their yard or property, the City wants to protect the investment it has made by maintaining boundaries and fences which define these critical tracts of land. It is important to remember that though our wildlands are publicly-owned land by our local government, they are held in trust for a specific purpose, either endangered species habitat conservation or water quality protection depending on the program to which they are dedicated.

Lands acquired by the City for these programs may not initially be fenced, or at least not on all boundaries. Fencing, which can include barbed-wire, chain-link or tall game fence, is a costly investment of City resources and is accomplished in phases as each annual budget allows.

Without fencing, it is difficult if not impossible to prevent encroachment and unauthorized access (trespassing) on these wildlands. As construction occurs along wildland boundaries, fencing is very useful in helping prevent damage to City lands by equipment. While sometimes seen only as a way to keep people out, fences also assure land managers that at times when land management activities are undertaken, no one has accidentally strayed onto the property unknowingly crossing the boundary. Fences and locked gates also signify that access is not available which is important when the land is being restored from historic uses to a healthier ecosystem.

Staff regularly patrols the wildland boundaries to check that fences are in good condition and that unfenced boundaries are not compromised by various types of encroachment. The City does act to the full extent of the law to protect these City-owned assets.