The Hill Country State Natural Area Partners is a non-profit 501(c)3 dedicated to the Preservation and the Promotion of the Hill Country State Natural Area in Bandera Texas.

The Mission of HC-SNAP is:

· To preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources of the park.

· To provide for the enjoyment and safety visitors.

· To interpret the natural and cultural resources of the park to the visiting public.

HC-SNAP accomplishes this mission through fund raising and sponsorship of benefit trail-rides and other public events and through public and private donations.

The Hill Country State Natural Area outside of Bandera Texas was a gift to the state from Louise Lindsey Merrick. After her husbands death she donated the 4,753 acres, known as the Bar-O Ranch to the state of Texas.

She began turning the land over in 1976. The acreage began moving in sevenths, into state hands. The transfer of ownership was planned to take seven years for tax reasons.

By 1982, the transaction was complete. Louise deeded the land to the state with the provision that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department convert it to a state natural area. Under these provisions it was written into the deed that the land is “to be kept far removed and untouched by modern civilization, where everything is preserved intact, yet put to a useful purpose.”

In 1987, an additional 617 acres were purchased from adjacent land owner Pat Boyle, making the total 5,300 acres of park.

The park is home to a wide variety of native Texas wildlife, two known endangered bird species and varied vegetation. The mission is to conserve the current and historic Ranch layout, and protect the existing flora and fauna, thus providing a protected natural area as intact and as historically accurate as possible for future generations to enjoy.

The Hill Country State Natural Area Partners is committed to preserving the rich Ranch Heritage that the Hill Country State Natural Area is steeped in.