|
View this message on our website.
| |
|
|
|
A Family’s Vision, A New Wild Place for Texas
A vision that started with one Texas family has now become a new conservation milestone. Thanks to the passion of the Gragg family, and a grant secured by Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) from the Knobloch Family Foundation, Texas has a brand-new Wildlife Management Area (WMA): the Trinity River WMA. It is the first addition in East Texas in nearly two decades.
Spanning approximately 6,900 acres along the Trinity River in Anderson County, this new WMA protects important bottomland forests, wetlands, and prairies, while adding more than 11 miles of river frontage to a growing conservation corridor in East Texas.
The Gragg family, long inspired by the neighboring Gus Engeling WMA, dreamed of seeing their land protected for wildlife and future generations. Working closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), their vision became reality—with TPWF’s help at a critical moment. The Knobloch Family Foundation’s generous donation, facilitated through TPWF, provided key matching funds that unlocked federal dollars and made the acquisition possible.
“The establishment of the Trinity River WMA presents an opportunity for the conservation and management of an ecologically unique and important habitat,” said TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. “Partnerships with organizations like the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Knobloch Family Foundation make historic land purchases like this possible."
Soon, this new wild place will be home to restored wetlands, prairies, and bottomland forests—a haven for waterfowl, migratory birds, and many other species. In time, Texans will be able to experience its beauty firsthand through outdoor recreation opportunities.
Trinity River WMA is the newest addition to the Middle Trinity River Ecosystem Project, which includes Gus Engeling, Richland Creek, Big Lake Bottom and Keechi Creek WMAs. Together, these properties protect more than 38,000 acres in East Texas.
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Matador WMA: Fall Habitat Work Seeds Spring Growth
In the heart of Texas’ Central Rolling Plains sits Matador Wildlife Management Area, a 28,183-acre wildlife mecca for bobwhite quail, Rio Grande turkey, Texas horned lizards, mule and white-tailed deer, the elusive mountain lion, and more. For over 60 years, Matador WMA has served as a vital wildlife research hub for TPWD while offering public access to educational opportunities, seasonal hunting, fishing, bird watching, and other nature-based activities.
Thanks to a generous donation from Cross Timbers Quail Coalition, which was leveraged with federal funding, Matador WMA has rolled out its welcome mat to attract even more of our treasured wild things. The WMA recently completed extensive restoration work across approximately 383 acres to create ideal habitat conditions for local wildlife. The project included treating high densities of invasive brush like mesquite, salt cedar, and juniper, maintaining native bunchgrass, and promoting seed-producing annual forbs that wildlife depends on for food, cover, and nesting.
Work at Matador WMA was completed last fall, with new growth already sprouting, proving true the adage that the more work you pour into the land each fall, the more bountiful your spring. To build on this success, Matador WMA plans to conduct supplemental grass seeding ahead of summer.
Thank you to Cross Timbers Quail Coalition for making a lasting impact on the conservation landscape and the wild things that call Texas home.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Women in Conservation Scholar Spotlight: Laritza Tinajero
TPWF is committed to inspiring young Texans to pursue professions in conservation. With the generous support of our donors, TPWF is able to offer two scholarships to support deserving students as they pursue their undergraduate and graduate degrees in conservation-related fields—The Brady and W.K. Boyd Conservation Scholarship, and the Women in Conservation Science Scholarship.
Through these scholarships, TPWF is helping to grow Texas’ bench of future conservation leaders, one scholar at a time, and we are happy to report that another graduate has officially embarked on a promising career in Texas conservation.
Laritza Tinajero, TPWF’s 2023 recipient of the Women in Conservation Science Scholarship, graduated Summa Cum Laude from East Texas A&M University in December 2024, earning her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Conservation Sciences with a minor in Environmental Sciences. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Austin and hit the ground running in her new profession.
“I found a job with the Texas Conservation Corps, where I work on their Conservation & Disaster Response team as a crew lead. I have already learned so much,” said Laritza. “I recently completed training on chainsaw maintenance, and I have also become certified to drive the company vans and trucks. We just had our first practice hitch at Pace Bend Park, where our crew camped on site while we completed trail maintenance. We are now working on a site to create 16 miles of trail for the Hill Country Conservancy that will eventually connect to San Antonio!"
Just a few short weeks into her new career, Laritza’s zest for conservation is as palpable as it was when she first applied for the Women in Conservation Science Scholarship two years ago, and TPWF is proud to help support Laritza and other deserving young students as they chase their dreams of working to ensure an enduring Texas wild.
The application period for this year’s Brady and W.K. Boyd Conservation Scholarship and the Women in Conservation Science Scholarship is now open, and the deadline for submissions is Monday, June 9, 2025.
Learn more about scholarship guidelines, requirements, and eligibility information.
LEARN MORE
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Texans Wanted: Join the Trash Free Gulf Campaign
It’s not too late to join the Gulf Trust’s Trash Free Gulf campaign, presented by H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future. This landmark cleanup event is bringing together thousands of volunteers across Texas to protect our precious watersheds.
The Gulf Trust has partnered with H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future, Mender, TPWF, Keep Texas Beautiful, YETI, and over 40 local organizations to carry out this unprecedented effort, which spans every major watershed and stretch of coastline in Texas. Cleanups are taking place across the state throughout May, and we encourage all Texans to help us keep our waters clean—for Texas and beyond.
Find a cleanup near you and join this historic effort today!
LEARN MORE AND SIGN UP
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Garrison Brothers, Good Bourbon for a Good Cause
Garrison Brothers co-founders Dan and Nancy Garrison recently visited TPWF’s Dallas office to deliver a $50,000 check from Good Bourbon for a Good Cause, the nonprofit arm for Garrison Brothers.
The funds were raised through a limited 1,000-bottle release of Balmorhea Cask Strength at Garrison Brothers’ annual Texas Independence Day celebration at their distillery in Hye. For each bottle sold, Garrison Brothers donated $50 in support of TPWF’s mission.
“For the second year in a row, Garrison Brothers selected TPWF as the beneficiary of its Texas Independence Day celebration, and we greatly appreciate their dedication to conserving the state’s wildlife and beautiful lands with their generous support of our mission through the years,” said TPWF Executive Director Anne Brown.
Since its inception, Garrison Brothers has generously supported a variety of nonprofits that focus on environmental, veterans, local community, and hospitality industry causes.
“Through our incredible partnerships and fundraisers, we help prove every day that good bourbon can change the world. Our continued partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation means so much to Garrison Brothers. We are thrilled to continue to support their programs that help keep Texas wild and beautiful,” said Dan Garrison.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Check Out TPWF’s New Planned Giving Website
Want to leave a wild legacy for Texas, but not sure where to start?
TPWF’s newly updated Planned Giving website offers a wide range of planned giving options and resources. Here you can gain invaluable insight and access to helpful resources to help ensure you create a charitable legacy that reflects your wishes while helping to conserve the lands, waters, and wildlife of Texas.
Help us ensure a bold future for our wild things, wild places, and future generations of Texans.
PLAN YOUR WILD LEGACY TODAY
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
