San Saba Bird and Nature Club welcomes Dr. Paul Burns on September 18, 2018 at 2pm to the San Saba Civic Center, 1190 S. Thomas Stewart Drive. Dr. Burns will talk about the difficulties and rewards of keeping a ranch in the family over several generations in a rapidly changing world with a family now spread worldwide.  Why and how did the family decide to do this? Why did they commit to ecologically restore the ranch and how has this affected the family?  Dr. Burns will explain what actions they have taken over the past 45 years to conserve and enhance the family ranch. This promises to be a fascinating and informative program.

The Colonel Burns Ranch is a recipient of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Lone Star Land Steward Awards program. Go to www.youtube.com and search Colonel Burns Ranch to see a video about the ranch restoration. The property is in Brown County and located in the Cross Timbers eco-region.

Private landowners are the key to effective habitat management in Texas, since more than 94 percent of Texas is privately owned or operated. The Lone Star Land Steward Awards program recognizes and honors private landowners for their accomplishments in habitat management and wildlife conservation. The program is designed to educate landowners and the public and to encourage participation in habitat conservation.

Paul Burns, M.D., was born and raised on a family ranch between Blanket and May, sixteen miles north of Brownwood. He graduated Brownwood High School and did his undergraduate work at the University of Texas, Austin where he was a member of Phi Betta Kappa. Dr. Burns attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and served in the United States Army in Vietnam. He continued his education with specialty training at Baylor Medical College in Houston in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery.

Dr. Burns practiced otolaryngology and head and neck surgery in Austin and was a founder of the Austin Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. The practice specializes in head and neck cancer surgery and care of professional singers. He is a member of the Tiologic Society—which is the highest honor for otolaryngology in the nation. Dr. Burns is one of the founding board members, company physician, and chairman of the board of the Austin Opera. He is on the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin, and Baylor Medical School in Houston. Since retirement from medicine, he and his wife, Toni (nee Fox), have devoted their efforts to restoration and conservation of the family ranch.

You are invited to join but need not be a member to attend SSBNC programs. All with an interest are welcome. For more information about San Saba Bird and Nature Club visit the website, www.sansababirdandnatureclub.org or call 325-372-7615.