Dear Stewards,
This year we have so many individuals and organizations to be thankful for!
To our many brand and organizational partners: thank you for your unrelenting support of the program and allowing us to provide opportunities for Texans to more actively participate in our state's conservation efforts...
To our local chapter and Statewide Conservation Committee leaders: thank you for devoting so much of your valuable time and effort to furthering the SOTW mission...
And to our amazing members: We are thankful for your commitment to learning, making a difference by spreading the word about our wild things and wild places, and for simply getting outside no matter the weather!
In this issue:
- Read the write up on October's SCC West Texas Weekend and our recent mentored hunts
- Read about the recent Fort Worth Outfitter's Night and Dallas State of Conservation Dinner
- Learn about the return of the Wyler Aerial Tramway in El Paso, how TPWF is helping protect the view at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, and efforts to rewild the Texas tortoise
- Check out an update from the S. Reed Morian Gear Up for Game Wardens Program
We hope you enjoy a peaceful and plentiful Thanksgiving with your loved ones, and look forward to seeing you out there!
Katie |
|
|
Stewards at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area | Photo by Matthew Guthrie |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Stewards of the Wild Events |
|
|
|
|
Stewards of the Wild Highlights & News |
A West Texas Weekend to Remember When the Stewards of the Wild (SOTW) Statewide Conservation Committee (SCC) gathered in October at Pam and Will Harte’s Caldwell Ranch near Fort Davis, they came ready to camp, learn, and connect. Over three days, Stewards members from across Texas immersed themselves in the landscapes that define West Texas, from the peaks of Mount Livermore to the rugged canyons of Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
The Statewide Conservation Committee (SCC) was created in 2024 with the goal of bringing together members from chapters across Texas to connect, collaborate, and expand their impact through shared experiences in the field, and the Caldwell Ranch weekend was designed to do just that. Guided by TPWF staff and local conservation experts, the group split time between exploration, education, and fellowship. They hiked Mount Livermore, toured Marfa’s Judd Foundation, and visited Elephant Mountain WMA for a hands-on look at the region’s unique ecology. Evenings brought live music and campfire conversation under the big West Texas sky. |
|
|
For Kim Gibbons, a new Fort Worth Chapter member attending her very first Stewards event, it was love at first sight.
“I kind of started with the Cadillac of all events,” she laughed. “I know I set the bar impossibly high. I’ve always loved West Texas, but seeing one of my favorite places in the world from the perspective of people who care so deeply about preserving it made it even more special.”
Gibbons was struck by how many partners are quietly working to safeguard the region. “You drive through and think no one lives out there,” she said. “But there are so many people working together to protect something great. It makes you feel hopeful and empowered.”
For Nick Fisher of Austin, a longtime Stewards member and conservation professional who helped launch the SCC, the weekend felt like a milestone. “Every time we go out there, I come away reenergized,” he said. “It’s great to be surrounded by people who care so deeply about this work. You realize there’s a lot to be hopeful about.” |
|
|
Mentored Hunting Season is in Full Swing
At the end of October, we hosted our second mentored hunt of the season at the King Ranch. The ladies-only hunt in South Texas focused on expert mentorship from the incredible King Ranch guides, exploring the vast landscapes of the Norias Division, and women connecting on shared interests! Two special guests from Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute (CKWRI) joined the group to share their research on mountain lions, the impact of juniper management, and a brief history of hunting and its role as a tool for conservation. |
|
|
While many of you were out celebrating the opening weekend of deer season, four Stewards members headed to the coast to kick off the 2025–2026 duck season in Port O'Connor. Mentees experienced both coastal and inland duck hunting in just 48 hours!
In early November, we hosted our fourth mentored hunt of the season. Mentees, mentors, and volunteers spent the weekend on a beautiful property in Bosque County hunting white-tailed deer and hogs. Thank you to Chef Josh Schwencke, Owner and Executive Chef of Gastronomy Company, for providing the group with mouthwatering meals all weekend! Thank you to our incredible volunteers and supporters who make our Mentored Hunting Initiative possible, including SITKA Gear, Weatherby Foundation International, Houston Safari Club Foundation, CKWRI, the Stewards of the Wild Austin Chapter, and our friends at TWA. |
Fort Worth Members Reconnect at Chapter's Flagship Event, Outfitters Night
The Fort Worth Chapter hosted its annual Outfitters Night last week with special guests TPWF Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Greene and former Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Commission Chairman Ralph Duggins, who spoke to the group about how important the work TPWF is and why young Texans should get involved in conservation. Thank you to our gracious hosts and our friends at Fatties on the Fly for joining us. The event was an excellent opportunity for Fort Worth members to reconnect, learn about local fishing opportunities, practice their archery skills, and support the SOTW mission! |
|
|
Dallas Chapter Hosts Annual Dinner with Special Guest Wade Bowen Stewards members and supporters in Dallas enjoyed an evening of conservation celebration in early November with a gourmet quail dinner, custom hat making with McKinney Hat Co., mingling with our Texas Game Wardens, and music from country superstar Wade Bowen! Thank you to Mender for their ongoing support! Highlights of the evening included a live auction and amazing raffle with items and trips from our partners Turtlebox, Duck Camp, Poncho, Murad, BirdDog, Miles and Miles, Weatherby, Pointer Outfitters, Huntin' Fool, Hoyt, Scheels, CO9 Ranch, SITKA Gear, Tailwaters, 4WD, Ducks Unlimited, Vortex, Montana Knife Company, Yogi Bins, Fletcher Works, Hornady, Kuby's, Independence Ranch, Bayou Beast, Benelli, Burlebo, and so many more. All support of this event allows the chapter to donate funds directly to conservation initiatives across the state and host events and opportunities for chapter members in 2026!
|
|
|
|
|
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Updates |
Wyler Aerial Tramway to Rise Again
The long-awaited rebirth of one of El Paso’s most beloved landmarks is underway, thanks to the steadfast support of the Texas Legislature. With $27 million in state funding secured, the Wyler Aerial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park is on track to once again carry visitors to the top of Ranger Peak, where they can take in panoramic views of two countries and three states. |
|
|
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), in partnership with the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority, has begun Phase I construction, which will deliver expanded parking, improved accessibility, upgraded restrooms, and new visitor amenities. Phase II will include a new tramway system, visitor center, and aerial station. Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) will lead a private fundraising effort to raise up to an additional $10 million to complete the project.
“On behalf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, I want to extend our deep gratitude to the Texas Legislature and the El Paso Legislative Delegation for their unwavering commitment to this community and this project,” said Commission Chairman Paul Foster. “The legislature’s investment ensures that this iconic attraction—so loved by generations of El Pasoans—will rise again. The Wyler Aerial Tramway connects us not only to the grandeur of the Franklin Mountains, but also to the sense of pride that comes from being a Texan."
“This is what partnership looks like—state leadership, local support, and private philanthropy all coming together for the people of Texas,” added TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. “The Wyler Aerial Tramway is more than an engineering feat; it’s a symbol of how Texans work together to make great things happen." |
|
|
Forever Protecting the View from Palo Duro Canyon
For nearly 60 years, hundreds of thousands of visitors have watched the outdoor musical TEXAS unfold under the stars at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Few realize that the sweeping red canyon walls beyond the stage are privately owned ranchlands. Thanks to the foresight of one Texas family and the support of TPWF’s Buffer Lands Incentive Program (BLIP), that view will now be protected forever. |
|
|
“My parents poured their hearts into this place,” said Ginger Campbell, whose family has owned the 3,074-acre Rim Ranch since the late 1940s. “To know that Rim Ranch will remain intact, that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy it just as we have, it means everything to me." Perched along the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, Rim Ranch has been a family gathering place for generations, and now it will remain that way for generations to come. The ranch was recently placed under a conservation easement held by the Texas Agricultural Land Trust (TALT), ensuring it will remain a working cattle ranch and wildlife habitat while prohibiting future development. TPWF’s BLIP funding provided key support for the project, working in partnership with TALT and the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. BLIP supports the voluntary establishment of conservation easements on neighboring lands of state parks, state natural areas, wildlife and coastal management areas, and other significant conserved lands. Easements make it possible for landowners to protect natural and cultural resources for the future while still maintaining ownership of their land. "The Buffer Lands Incentive Program was created to protect the landscapes and habitats that make our state parks extraordinary,” said Anne Brown, Executive Director of TPWF. “Rim Ranch is a prime example of that vision in action. Its mix of prairie grasslands and playa wetlands provides valuable habitat for grassland birds, migratory species, and waterfowl, while preserving the sweeping views that make Palo Duro Canyon so special." |
Returning Texas Tortoises to the Wild
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of TPWD, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi researchers, plus the many Texans who turned out for the “Texas Tortoise Day” event at Laredo College on Aug. 16, the future is looking much brighter for the Texas tortoise. |
|
|
The event was part of an ongoing initiative launched by TPWD in January 2024. With support from TPWF and the Dallas Zoo, the project aims to promote the ethical repatriation of the Texas tortoise. Because the Texas tortoise is a state threatened species, it is illegal to own or collect them from the wild. “Texas Tortoise Day” events help raise awareness by engaging the public to understand threats facing the Texas tortoise, discourage misguided “rescues,” prevent illegal trafficking, and provide an avenue for individuals to responsibly surrender captive Texas tortoises.
At this one event, approximately 180 tortoises were surrendered, marking a significant step forward for the species and the ongoing initiative. Wildlife biologists are now diligently preparing these tortoises for their controlled release back into the wild. Preliminary research indicates that keeping a captured tortoise in a soft-release pen for six to twelve months can effectively reprogram its homing behavior (the innate ability to navigate to a “home base” despite being in an unfamiliar area). This process enhances the tortoise’s ability to resettle in its natural habitat upon release and improves its prospects for survival. In addition to creating soft-release pens and employing GPS tracking for monitoring post-release, TPWD is also developing disease testing protocols and a genetic map to facilitate effective repatriation.
This vital initiative is strengthening the management framework for Texas tortoises, enhancing their chances of thriving in the wild, and expanding conservation efforts across the state. |
Gear Up for Game Wardens is Going Global This Holiday Season
Start spreading the news! TPWF’s S. Reed Morian Gear Up for Game Wardens Program will be decking the halls of Wall Street this holiday season as part of the New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) Annual Global Giving Campaign. Enterprise Products Partners L.P., a longtime champion and supporter of Gear Up for Game Wardens, has selected the program as the company’s cause of choice for this year’s event. |
|
|
The 102nd Annual Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on December 4 and will highlight the many charitable organizations supported by the NYSE community. As part of the celebration, a special Gear Up for Game Wardens ornament will be featured on the NYSE holiday tree, spotlighting our mission to equip Texas Game Wardens with the specialty equipment they need to safely protect Texas’ lands, waters, wildlife, and people.
From Texas to Wall Street, Gear Up is honored to be chosen by Enterprise Products Partners for this distinct honor and the opportunity to take our message global on behalf of the best-trained conservation officers in the nation. |
What else has TPWF been up to?
|
|
|
Want more? Check out these interesting articles and resources: |
|
|
Thank you to our statewide program supporter! |
|
|
The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is the leading wildlife research organization in Texas and one of the finest in the nation. Its mission is to provide science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of wildlife in South Texas and related environments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stewards of the Wild, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s conservation leadership program, equips emerging leaders aged 21 to 45 with opportunities to actively participate in the stewardship of Texas’ wild things and wild places by providing education, networking, and outdoor experiences.
|
|
|
Copyright © 2025 Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation 6220 Gaston Ave. #700 Dallas, Texas 75214 |
|
|
|
