I first met Hope Boatright when she was working for the local tourism department and felt an instant connection! She was enthusiastic and kind… and I remember her saying she grew up on a goat cheese farm. Ever since then I have followed her journey and was excited to hear that her and her husband started their own wildlife management company in Dripping! Let me introduce you to the Boatrights and entreprenuers behind Lupine Land Services...
How long have you lived in Dripping Springs?
I’ve been connected to the Dripping Springs area since 2011. I originally moved to the Austin area from my hometown of Odessa, drawn—like so many others—by the culture, food, and live music scene. While I spent a few years away, I’ve called Dripping Springs home permanently since 2016.
Over the years, my connection to the land and the community has only grown stronger. Dripping Springs has a way of slowing life down just enough to let you appreciate the details—deer grazing along the fence line, the return of migratory birds each spring, or the way a summer storm builds over the ridges.
My wife, Hope, was born and raised here, and her family still runs Pure Luck Farm & Dairy just down the road. We’re fortunate to have family property tucked right behind their farm, which makes the connection to this land feel even more personal. In many ways, this place was part of my story even before we officially made it home. For me, it’s more than just where I live—it’s where I’ve chosen to build a life and turn a lifelong passion for land and wildlife into a full-time profession.
What brought you here?
My work in wildlife and land management is what initially brought me to the area, but it didn’t take long for it to become much more than just a job. I was working on projects all over Central Texas—surveying properties, developing habitat plans, and helping landowners navigate wildlife valuation—and I found myself spending more and more time in the Hill Country.
Dripping Springs immediately stood out as a place of rare ecological value—with its recharge zones, endangered species habitat, and mature oak-juniper woodlands—but more than that, it felt like a place where meaningful, lasting conservation efforts could truly take root.
It was also here that I met my wife, Hope, who was born and raised in Dripping Springs. That deepened my connection to the community even further. Eventually, I realized that if I wanted to truly serve this region and be part of its future, I needed to plant roots here myself.
What do you love about living here the most?
What I love most about living in Dripping Springs is the deep connection to the land. The Hill Country has a rhythm and energy that’s hard to put into words—it’s something you have to experience to fully understand. There’s a quiet kind of wisdom in the landscape here: in the way water moves through a dry creek bed after a good rain, or how the live oaks hold steady through every season. Being out on the land—whether I’m walking a property with a landowner, tracking wildlife movement through trail cams, or just spending time in the field—grounds me. It reminds me why I do what I do.
But it’s not just the land—it’s the people, too. There’s a strong sense of stewardship in this community. The landowners, families, and local business owners here genuinely care about preserving what makes this place special. They want to raise their kids on healthy land, protect wildlife habitat, and contribute to something that lasts beyond themselves. That shared mindset is something I truly value, especially as the area continues to grow and change.
Dripping Springs is one of those rare places where conservation, community, and culture all intersect—and that’s what makes it feel like home. Not to mention all of the great outdoor recreation opportunities that exist here – there’s nothing quite like fishing the Pedernales for a s small-mouth, heading to the ranch at the start of spring turkey season, or jumping into a cold, clear spring for the first swim of the season.
If you were to recommend a one-weekend itinerary to someone staying in Dripping Springs for the first time, what would you recommend they go and do?
Start your Saturday with breakfast at Abby Jane Bakeshop—they’re tucked behind Treaty Oak Distilling and next to Barton Springs Mill and serve up incredible pastries, fresh bread, and locally roasted coffee in a cozy setting. After that, head over to Charro Ranch Park or Dripping Springs Ranch Park for a peaceful morning walk among the oaks and wildflowers. Both parks offer an easy way to experience the natural beauty of the Hill Country without having to leave town.
If you’re interested in conservation, I always recommend a tour at Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center—just a short drive away, and a great example of habitat restoration and education done right. Hiking down to the grotto at Westcave is like being transported to a different time – the temperature is cooler, the noises settle down, and the constant drip of the waterfall is like a gentle steady beat of a metronome. For folks that are into birdwatching, it’s a great place to get a peak at Golden-cheeked Warblers.
If you’re into backyard birding and want to support local wildlife at home, stop by Wild Birds Unlimited—it’s a great spot to pick up feeders, nesting boxes, and expert advice from friendly, knowledgeable staff.
In the afternoon, swing by Driftwood Estate Winery for a glass of wine and some incredible views, or head to Twisted X Brewing Company if you’re more into craft beer. It’s a laid-back spot with plenty of character and great local flavor. My go-to beverage at Twsited X is the McConaughaze. It hits right every single time whether I am sitting on the porch after a long day in the field or hanging with friends post pickleball game.
On Sunday, grab coffee at Mazama, explore the local shops along Mercer Street, and then take the short walk to the bridge downtown where you can see the springs dribbling out of the limestone rock. You might also see the friendly and non-venemous diamond back watersnake that lives in the cold, clear water. With coffee in hand, next I recommend taking the scenic drive out toward Pedernales Falls State Park. Head down to the falls and hike around that area, or if the weather is right, venture to the swimming area to take a dip in the blue-green waters of the Pedernales River. Whether you’re into nature, food, or just slowing down for a bit, Dripping Springs has something for everyone.
What got you into wildlife management?
Wildlife and land management has been a lifelong passion. I grew up in the Permian Basin, where the landscape is rugged and dry, but full of life if you know how to look for it. I spent much of my youth outdoors—hunting, fishing, camping, and learning how to read the land. Those early experiences taught me how to observe, how to listen, and how everything in nature is connected.
I spent some time in Talkeetna, Alaska in my early twenties and that had a profound impact on me. Being immersed in vast, untouched country reshaped how I think about wild systems and deepened my sense of responsibility as a land steward. Time spent in a place that wild leaves you changed—more aware, more respectful, and more committed to conservation.
As Roy Bedichek, author of Adventures with a Texas Naturalist, once wrote: “In the larger view, nature is everywhere. It is not confined to remote parks and reservations.” That idea has always stayed with me. You don’t have to travel to some far-off wilderness to find meaning in the land—it’s right in front of us. It’s just a matter of learning how to see it, value it, and care for it. That’s what drives me to help landowners steward the places they already call home.
Eventually, I realized that helping and educating others care for their land was what I wanted to do full-time. Wildlife management allows me to combine that passion with purpose. I get to spend my days outdoors, working directly with landowners, solving unique challenges and helping protect Texas landscapes for generations to come. Every property is different, every landowner brings a unique vision, and my role is to help bring that vision to life in a way that benefits both the land and the people who steward it.
Tell us more about the endangered species located in this area…
This part of Central Texas is home to some truly unique and federally protected species. The most well-known is the Golden-cheeked Warbler, a migratory bird that nests exclusively in Central Texas. It relies on mature Ashe juniper and oak woodlands to breed, and its habitat is shrinking due to development and land fragmentation.
We also have a conservation success story in the Black-capped Vireo, which once relied on similar Hill Country shrubland habitats and was highly sensitive to overgrazing and brush management. Thanks to decades of habitat recovery efforts, it was officially delisted in 2018, though continued stewardship is important to keep its populations stable.
Then there are the karst invertebrates—tiny, cave-dwelling species like the Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone) and the Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi). These species live deep within the porous limestone systems that recharge our aquifers. While small and rarely seen, they are vital indicators of groundwater quality and ecosystem health.
Protecting these species doesn’t mean locking up land or halting all activity, it means understanding where they live, what they need, and making smart, informed management decisions. That’s where I come in—to help landowners navigate those responsibilities in a way that’s both practical and conservation-minded.
What made you decide to begin Lupine Land Services?
Starting Lupine Land Services was really about turning a lifelong passion into a profession. I’ve always felt connected to the land—whether that was through hunting, conservation work, or hands-on management in the field. Over the years, I kept meeting landowners who wanted to improve their property, qualify for wildlife valuation, or enhance habitat—but they didn’t know where to start or who to trust.
I saw an opportunity to create a service that was grounded in real field experience and local knowledge—something that combined practical tools with a deep respect for land stewardship. I wanted to offer a better experience for landowners: one that’s personalized, science-driven, and rooted in long-term relationships. Lupine became the way for me to bridge that gap and provide something truly valuable to the Hill Country community.
What services do you offer?
At Lupine Land Services, we provide a full suite of land and wildlife management services designed to support conservation-minded landowners throughout Central Texas. Our services include:
- Wildlife Management Plans for 1-d-1 Open Space Valuation
- Annual Activity Reports and county appraisal district compliance
- Habitat Assessments and ecological evaluations for sensitive species such as the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Houston Toad
We hold a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) authorizing us to conduct species-specific surveys and assessments for regulatory and conservation planning purposes.
- Bird and Wildlife Surveys, including species-specific monitoring (e.g., Golden-cheeked Warbler)
- GIS Mapping and Aerial Products, including drone mapping services for high-resolution imagery, vegetation analysis, and custom site planning
- Erosion Control and habitat restoration planning
- Rainwater Catchment Systems and wildlife water installations
- Invasive Species Control, including treatment for imported red fire ants
- Implementation of All Wildlife Management Activity Categories as recognized by the Texas Comptroller and Texas Parks & Wildlife, including supplemental food, water, shelter, population control, census techniques, and habitat improvement
We work with landowners ranging from small-acreage homesteads to large working ranches—tailoring each project to meet the property’s unique landscape, goals, and conservation potential. Whether you’re starting a new management plan or building on decades of stewardship, we bring a hands-on, field-based approach to every project we take on.
What is the wildest thing you’ve ever encountered while doing your job?
One of the more memorable moments happened during a lizard tracking project. We had captured a few individuals for tagging and were using the truck as a mobile workstation. While we were recording data, one particularly quick lizard slipped out of our grip and disappeared behind the dashboard. What started as a minor inconvenience turned into a full-blown recovery mission—we ended up spending a few hours carefully taking the dash apart piece by piece just to get him out. He finally emerged unharmed (and probably just as annoyed as we were). Let’s just say we double-checked the lids on every container after that.
Another time, while flagging a wildlife survey route in south Texas, I stepped right over what I thought was a fallen limb—only to realize it was a perfectly camouflaged Texas indigo snake stretched out across the trail. It’s a beautiful animal and a non-venomous snake, but it made me rethink how often I look down.
Then there are the odd surprises—like finding a trail cam full of selfies from a group of teenagers who’d wandered in from a nearby river or discovering a perfectly intact old glass medicine bottle buried in a caliche outcrop. Whether it’s wildlife or history, the land always has something unexpected to offer.
What is the coolest topo feature you have seen on a private ranch?
One of the most striking features I’ve come across was a deep karst sink tucked away on a private property in the Hill Country. From the surface, you’d never suspect what was beneath your feet—it looked like unassuming pastureland at first glance. But as we got closer, the terrain dropped away into a vertical limestone cut, and suddenly we were standing at the edge of a dramatic natural opening that had clearly been shaped by time, water, and geology—think Hamilton Pool, but hidden and completely untouched.
How can people find out more about your services?
They can start by visiting our website: www.lupinelandservices.com. It outlines all the services we offer and includes an easy way to get in touch.
We’re also active on Instagram, where we post field updates, native wildlife sightings, and project highlights to give folks a better look at what we do day-to-day.
And if someone wants to talk directly, I’m always happy to set up a call or come out for a site visit. Whether you’re just beginning to explore wildlife management or need help refining a long-term plan, we’re here to support you.
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Do you LOVE Dripping Springs, too? I’m a local real estate agent and would be happy to help you buy or sell real estate in this area! There is such a vibrant scene of new businesses and fun things to do making Dripping a hot spot for people seeking adventure and a unique lifestyle. Call or email me today to get started! 512-569-8480 or laurenclark@magnoliarealty.com
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