TPWF is proud to announce the honorees for the 2018 Texas Conservation Hall of Fame: Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and Dr. Dale Rollins. TSCRA is being honored for its steadfast commitment to the stewardship of Texas’ natural resources. Dr. Rollins is being honored for a lifetime of conservation achievements, including the development of the Bobwhite Brigade youth program, which has evolved into a statewide program called Texas Brigades.

“We’re pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2018 inductees into the Texas Conservation Hall of Fame,” said Kelly R. Thompson, chair of TPWF’s board of trustees. “The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has an unwavering commitment to the lands and waters of Texas. Dr. Dale Rollins has spent his entire career devoted to quail conservation, and the creation of the brigade youth program will help ensure the next generation of conservationists.”

The 2018 inductees will be honored at the Texas Conservation Hall of Fame dinner and concert featuring Jerry Jeff Walker and Lukas Nelson. The event will be held in Austin at ACL Live at Moody Theater on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

We hope to see you there!

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) leaders are still tallying up the cost of all the damage from Hurricane Harvey. From Rockport to Jasper, TPWD sites, facilities and equipment suffered significant, and in some cases, devastating losses.

Damages to coastal fisheries facilities and equipment total approximately $1.5 million, with seven out of ten sites managed by TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division affected. Most of the repairs aren’t eligible for FEMA reimbursement, and there will be many competing priorities for state dollars. With that in mind, Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Emeritus Lee Bass pledged $500,000 for a private fundraising effort for Coastal Fisheries Division losses. Coastal Conservation Association came on board immediately with a $150,000 pledge, and many other generous supporters also pitched in to help match Mr. Bass’ generous gift.

“We’re talking about decades of investment here,” said Robin Riechers, TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division Director. “These facilities drive everything we do, which allows us to stock over 24 million fish a year in coastal waters. We are overwhelmed at the generosity of Mr. Bass and others who have donated to help us recover from Harvey.”

There’s a new way to support the wild things and wild places of Texas: a donor-advised fund at TPWF. A donor-advised fund provides an opportunity for generous Texans to get directly involved in conservation projects they are passionate about. TPWF works closely with interested donors to understand the conservation causes they care about and provide project ideas that will make a difference. Plus, establishing a donor-advised fund can be an efficient way to optimize charitable tax deductions and grow contributions through professional investment management.