Earth Day always brings out the fun for TLC. This year was no exception. We hosted a happy hour at Easy Tiger in Austin, spread the word about Oak Cliff Nature Preserve in Dallas at Earth Day Dallas, spoke at Horizon UU Church in Carrollton and participated in Austin Give 5% for Earth Day for the fourth year in a row. Read on for photos and more.
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In the spring of 2012, filmmaker Ben Hamilton travelled around the state to capture TLC's conservation work. Along the way he met three landowners who have chosen to conserve their land with TLC. Hear their heartfelt stories of Texas heritage and love for the land and enjoy spring wildflowers, sweeping vistas and bright Texas stars in this moving nine-minute tribute to the work of Texas Land Conservancy. Read on for the link to watch online.
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By Callie Thompson
Kate Vickery, TLC’s Development and Communications Director, and Callie Thompson, TLC’s Outreach Coordinator, recently got the chance to go on a one hour hike through the beautiful trails of TLC’s Oak Cliff Nature Preserve in Dallas. In between exclamations about the gorgeous spring wildflowers and wondering where the rest of our hiking group was, a great conversation occurred about conservation in Texas, trees and what it really means to be a tree-hugger.
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By Kate Vickery
“I hear folks say we do not have as many good men and women as we used to have, but that is a mistake. I feel sure some of my nieces and grandnieces have far surpassed me. As far as the boys, we have as fine a lot of young men as any country ever had.”
–Sarah Jane “Sadie” Shelley (1850–1950), daughter of Mary Russell Shugart Shelley
We are proud to introduce you to some of Sarah's grandnieces and nephews. Meet Howard Hicks and his wife, Helen, and Howard's first cousin, Bettie Green with her husband Terry and dog Blu, all photographed at one of their favorite places: the family’s Pike Davis Ranch (photos after the jump).
{Detail of "Sunbird Drinking Water" photo, courtesy of Vedwati Padwal}
by: Callie Thompson
In a great win for conservation, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on November 16, 2011, to approve $300,000 of matching funds to the Texas Land Conservancy. This funding is dedicated to the conservation of a 244-acre property just 20 miles from Austin.
by: Daniel Dietz
With much of Texas suffering an extreme drought - October to April was the driest seven-month period in recorded history - it is not surprising that many of us have water on our mind. One question that often arises in central and western portions of the state is whether or not managing the surface vegetation can increase the amount of water available for our aquifers and reservoirs, and, if so, by how much.
