Texan by Nature Announces 2024 Conservation Wranglers

TxN Conservation Wrangler Program Accelerates Conservation Initiatives Impacting Texas’ Natural Resources

Texan by Nature Announces 2024 Conservation Wranglers

Karina Araujo
Texan by Nature
karina@texanbynature.org

Texan by Nature (TxN), a conservation non-profit, today announces the selection of the 2024 TxN Conservation Wranglers. Conservation Wrangler is an accelerator program that catalyzes the very best Texan-led conservation projects occurring in the state. Selected projects are science-based and demonstrate a positive Return on Conservation™ result for people, prosperity, and natural resources.

The Texan by Nature team will work with the four 2024 Conservation Wranglers and provide 12-18 months of tailored support in program management, strategic planning, marketing strategy, metrics capture and analysis including the production of a Return on Conservation™ Index for select projects, professional content creation, and partnership development – whatever is needed to accelerate the project.

"Congratulations to the 2024 Conservation Wranglers!" said Mrs. Laura Bush, former First Lady and Founder of Texan by Nature. "From El Paso to Harris County to the San Antonio Bay, these conservation projects are setting an example for all Texans to follow. I am proud of their creativity, and I am grateful for their commitment to taking care of the people, prosperity, and natural resources in the great state of Texas."

“Texas conservation organizations are doing incredible work in every part of Texas. This year’s applicants ranged widely in geography and primary focus but are unified in their commitment and planned positive impact across the state,” said Joni Carswell, President and CEO of TxN. “Conservation Wrangler projects selected this year represent best-in-class impact measurement and articulation, broad-scale restoration, education and training, and volunteer engagement. TxN’s work with these projects will build on their strong foundation and accelerate impact. We look forward to sharing progress and opportunities to engage with these outstanding programs.”

Texan by Nature will recognize the 2024 Conservation Wranglers at the annual Conservation Summit on October 23, 2024, in Dallas, TX at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

2024 Conservation Wranglers:

Families in Nature - PEEP Program

Families in Nature’s vision is to inspire all families to fall in love with nature, knowing that communities are more likely to protect and conserve things that they understand, value, and love. Focusing their work on environmental education, ecological literacy, and conservation-mindedness, Families in Nature developed the Park Environmental Education Project (PEEP) in 2020. The PEEP program provides customized, place-based environmental education for schools, parks, and other green spaces. Examples of successful partnerships through the PEEP program can be seen at nature centers and schools in Austin and Houston, Texas, where Pocket Guides have been developed to provide experiential lessons in up to 16 ecology-related science topics.

Frontera Land Alliance

The Frontera Land Alliance is dedicated to protecting and promoting the sustainable stewardship and conservation of the unique natural treasures of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. To accomplish this, their work focuses on protecting natural open spaces, farms and ranches, watersheds, and wildlife. Frontera Land Alliance engages with El Paso and the surrounding community through climate research, land preservation, stewardship, and education. They have successfully leveraged over 6,000 community member connections, helping the organization preserve over 8,000 acres of desert land in the region.

American YouthWorks - Texas Conservation Corps

American YouthWorks - Texas Conservation Corps (AYW-TXCC) is launching an innovative community engagement project where young adults lead and educate community volunteers encouraging environmental stewardship alongside Houston and Galveston area waterways. AYW-TXCC participants engage in training and professional development, which prepares them to lead volunteers in litter abatement, waterway improvements, and illegal dumpsite cleanups in underinvested communities. The initiative is aimed at collective restorative action which supports the health and well-being of all people by protecting and supporting this critical resource for the benefit of outdoor recreation, natural flood mitigation, and sustaining native species of flora and fauna in our diverse urban ecosystems.

San Antonio Bay Partnership

The San Antonio Bay Partnership (SABP) works with community volunteers and regional partners to protect, restore, and enhance the Texas mid-coast ecosystem for the benefit of marine and terrestrial species and the people of Texas. SABP oversees a vital region of 435 square miles of coastline, containing fresh and saltwater wetlands and shallow bays that support significant natural resource-dependent economic activities, including commercial and recreational fisheries, ecotourism, and boating. Since its creation, SABP has made a positive impact through its broad range of programs that include habitat restoration by removing plastics and abandoned crab traps, saving endangered sea turtles, building oyster reefs, freshwater banking & supply, and environmental education.

About Conservation Wrangler and Texan by Nature:

2024 Conservation Wranglers were selected, in part, based on the following criteria:

• Texan-led conservation initiative
• Benefits the community by providing tangible returns for people, prosperity, and natural resources
• Reaches new and diverse audiences
• Science-based
• Measurable process and conservation outcomes
• Partnership between community, business, individuals, and conservation organizations

All will receive 12-18 months of tailored support and resources including:

• Promotion via social media, newsletters, blogs, websites, etc.
• Professional content production in the form of videos, collateral, and messaging
• Program management and impact reporting
• Connections to technical, expert, and industry support
• Recognition and participation in the annual Conservation Summit

Last year’s 2023 Conservation Wranglers included Stopping Plastics and Litter Along Shorelines (SPLASh), Caddo Lake Institute, Texas Chenier Plain Restoration, Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Program, and Texas Wildlife Association.

These projects and organizations represent significant impact for Texas:

• People: 4.7M
• Prosperity: $521.6B in economic benefit
• Natural Resources (Acreage): 11.1M
• Natural Resources (Other):
  • 973 species benefit from improved habitat managed by Caddo Lake Institute.
  • Potential to save 300M kWh/year through the adoption of residential night sky best practices in the Hill Country - Hill Country Alliance Night Sky Program.
  • Volunteers have removed 33,000 pounds of trash from waterways and shorelines in the Houston-Galveston region through Stopping Plastics & Litter Along Shorelines (SPLASh) cleanup events.
  • 360+ bird and fishery species depend on the coastal habitats restored by Texas Chenier Plain Restoration projects.
  • 1,800 volunteer Huntmasters in 8 ecoregions and over 200 Landowners statewide provide natural resource education and wildlife management support through the Texas Wildlife Association’s Texas Youth Hunting Program.

Texan by Nature, founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, brings conversation and business together, acting as an accelerator for conservation groups and a strategic partner for business. TxN supports 155+ conservation organizations and has accelerated projects and programs that have impacted 7 million-plus people, 20 million acres, and all of Texas’ 254 counties. Get involved and learn more at texanbynature.org. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram @TexanbyNature.

American YouthWorks (AYW), founded in 1975, connects young people from diverse backgrounds with equitable access to education, career training and guidance, and support services through AYW Conservation Corps and YouthBuild Austin. In a supportive learning environment, participants earn industry certifications and learn new job skills that address critical issues such as building micro homes for unhoused populations, FEMA disaster response deployments, strengthening environmental resilience in underinvested communities, and improving access to healthcare and technology. Support services such as counseling and case management, basic needs such as food and transportation assistance, and college and job placement are available at no cost to participants. Learn more at americanyouthworks.org.

The mission of Families in Nature (FIN) is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. Founded in 2008 as a family camping group, FIN officially became a nonprofit in 2014. Our vision is to inspire all people to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. We work to give children and families meaningful experiences in nature. To promote equitable access to nature and environmental education, FIN partners with schools, neighborhoods, and other organizations to teach hands-on science and outdoor skills. The goal of all of our programming is to build strong communities and foster a connection to nature that will ultimately lead to long-term environmental stewardship. Learn more at familiesinnature.org.

The Frontera Land Alliance is the El Paso area’s only nationally accredited 501(c)3 land trust. Frontera was founded in 2004 when community members realized there was an urgent need to preserve some of the important remaining natural and working lands in the El Paso and southern New Mexico regions. Learn more at fronteralandalliance.org and follow us on social media: Facebook: fronteralandalliance; Instagram: ep_fronteralandalliance

San Antonio Bay Partnership (SABP) is a non-profit organization leading conservation efforts in the Texas Mid-coast region. SABP works in partnership with coastal communities, businesses, academia, and other non-governmental organizations to protect, restore, and enhance the natural resources of the San Antonio Bay System. The organization is stakeholder-based and aims to benefit the ecosystem and its human users. Learn more at sabaypartnership.org.

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