Stengl “Lost Pines” Biological Station

The Stengl “Lost Pines” Biological Station (SLP) is a satellite facility of Brackenridge Field Laboratory (BFL), administered through the Section of Integrative Bioloy in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.

Stengl Ranch (as it is most commonly known) is located at approx. 30° 04' 51" N and 97° 10' 23" W near Smithville, TX in the heart of the “Lost Pines,” a geographic outlier of Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) more than 120 miles west of the current limits of the species range. This 208 acre research and teaching facility is like having a piece of the “Piney Woods” of east Texas less than 50 miles from Austin! Characterized as Post Oak Savannah, the community is remarkably similar to the Black Oak Savannas of more northern States and southern Canada. Elements of both the Blackland Prairie (the property is only a few miles from the Fayette Plains) and the East Texas Piney Woods, however, increase the potential biodiversity of the site.

SLP is “sandwiched” between two historic cities and Texas state parks: the City of Smithville and Buescher State Park to the south and the City of Bastrop and Bastrop State Park to the west. Check the links page for information on the local communities, accommodations, the parks, community organizations and more...

Here is the location map with instructions on how to get to SLP.

Here is a recent aerial photo (112kb image) of the site. Comparing it with an older aerial photo (212kb image), and an even older aerial photo with information on soils (152kb image) at the property, it is easy to see how much the habitat has changed over the last 30 years or so. The relevant section of the 1:24000 topographic map (1981) reflects the oldest aerial photo. The boundaries of the property are fairly easily visible on all of these photographs and the topographic map but check the site plan if you're in doubt.

Phil's Home Page | Gilbert Lab. | Integrative Biology | UT Home Page

All contents Copyright (C) Phil Schappert, 1997-2003. All rights reserved.
Comments to: philjs@mail.utexas.edu

Last revised: February 17, 2003.