Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, a group that provides private support to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the state for present and future generations, has launched a Young Professionals group in Dallas for those 40 years and younger. The group hosted a sold out kickoff dinner for 100 on June 20 at Old Parkland to introduce the organization to those who have an interest and passion for conservation efforts.
The program included Texas conservation leaders Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department; The Honorable Ralph Duggins, vice chairman of Texas Park and Wildlife Commission; and Kelly Thompson, chairman, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
Mac Macfarlan, chair of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Young Professionals, welcomed everyone and encouraged them to join. “Carter, Kelly and Ralph spoke about current wildlife and natural resources conservation issues facing our generation, how to become proactive on these conservation issues, the strategy for the Young Professionals Group and what we should seek to accomplish, and about everything the Parks & Wildlife Department is doing for the people of our great state.”
The Young Professionals Advisory Committee:
- Murrey McKee, Service Projects
- Josh McKee, Membership Recruitment
- Reece Norris and Matt Rooker, Fundraising
- Harlan Ray and Chris Landers, Events
Some projects the group will help support include Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sabine Lake Oyster Reef Restoration, Pronghorn Restoration in the Trans-Pecos, and Habitat Management for Northern Bobwhite and Grassland Birds.
Anne Brown, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, said, “Resources for these conservation projects are necessarily limited. Working together with the Young Professionals, we can leverage public funds with private philanthropy to ensure the continued success and expansion of successful Texas conservation projects.”
Based on “connecting for conservation,” Texas Parks & Wildlife Young Professionals is filling a need for conservation groups in Texas, and will launch similar organizations in Austin and Houston.
Benefits of membership include invitations to special events and service opportunities, an annual subscription to Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, and multiple outreach activities. The 2013-14 events calendar includes two service projects focused on the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center and Guadalupe bass sampling on the South Llano River.
More information about annual membership, which is $75, can be found at tpwf.org. Those interested may also contact Anne Brown abrown@tpwf.org or call 214-364-5632.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
Founded in 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation raises private funds to help Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas for present and future generations. For information, visit online at www.tpwf.org.
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s mission is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. For more information, visit online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.