Four things, in order: leave the mulch layer working as erosion control unless you need bare dirt; watch for resprouting species (mesquite, yaupon, redberry juniper) and treat regrowth young, when it's cheapest to kill; seed grass where the mulch lies thin if pasture is the goal; and calendar a cheap maintenance pass — brush hogging or spot spraying every year or two holds ground open for a fraction of re-clearing cost.