SUPPORTER STORIES

It takes a lot of hard work and a team effort to create change in the world. We’ve got ourselves a great little piece of the world here in Texas and it’s our job to make sure we keep it a place we can all love, appreciate, and enjoy.

Texas Land Conservancy has spent the last 35 years putting together a team of dedicated nature-lovers to protect the things we all love about Texas… and our team is killin’ it! Together we’ve protected over 92,000 acres and counting!

But let’s go beyond the numbers for a minute. Our board members, staffers, landowner, donors, and volunteers’ dedication to Texas land, water, and wildlife is creating a culture of conservation in this state, where regardless of political affiliation, we believe in conserving our natural resources. Our commitment to protecting the nature of Texas will make it so strip malls won’t suffocate our wetlands, and housing developments won’t steal all of our amazing Texas views.

Texas Land Conservancy is so much more than a bunch of nature-lovers…together, we are a powerhouse of hope!

“Nature isn’t somewhere else; it’s all around us, and we each have to remember how we’re connected to it and can help to protect it.”

“It’s the early adventures that inform our appreciation for the natural world. I grew up in Dallas and was shaped by having the creeks and woods of White Rock Lake as my backyard. When Lauren and I had kids, we took our girls hiking first in the greenbelts of Austin and the Hill Country, then the myriad state and national parks of Texas. Often I wondered about the history of these public parcels and the role of the private landowners that surrounded them.

Being on the TLC Board has given me a regular chance to meet a number of these landowners who understand and care deeply about how their property fits into our natural and cultural heritage. In a state where 95%+ of the land is held privately, these stewards, our neighbors, are fundamental in conserving the landscapes and watersheds of our state. Moreover, it’s an important reminder of the role we all have to play. Nature isn’t somewhere else; it’s all around us, and we each have to remember how we’re connected to it and can help to protect it.”

Neel Baumgardner
Texas Land Conservancy Board Member
History Professor at UT San Antonio

“I’m so glad we can all support each other as we strive to share and preserve the land that we love so much!”

“Imagine soaring through the treetops, surrounded by native live oak, ashe juniper and madrone trees while looking out at beautiful Lake Travis. As you zip by the trees you see grey foxes, white tailed deer, catfish and bass, osprey and red shouldered hawks! Now imagine you get to have this experience of Texas every day! For 5 years, I have had the pleasure of working at Lake Travis Zipline Adventure and sharing this once in a lifetime outdoor adventure with people from across the country! I get to expose them to and teach them about the natural beauty that surrounds our city in addition to giving them the thrill of an unmatched zipline experience. Combining my love for nature and outdoor adventures, I have found the perfect job in the perfect place!

Working at an eco-tourism company, I am proud to be a part of a business that leaves a minimal footprint while sharing my love and knowledge of the Texas landscape and wildlife. This love of nature has also led me to Texas Land Conservancy, because they share the same appreciation for the great outdoors and understand the importance of preserving the land so that we can continue to share it with generations to come. My hope is to inspire zipliners to get outside and remember the importance of interacting with nature and with each other– family, friends, and new friends alike. I sincerely appreciate the partnership between Texas Land Conservancy and Lake Travis Zipline Adventure and am so glad we can all support each other as we strive to share and preserve the land that we love so much!”

Jess Hill
Texas Land Conservancy Member
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures, Tour Guide

“With all of the children on our hike, I’m sure we’ve inspired some future Texas environmental conservationists!”

“Moving to Texas, I (embarrassingly) expected the natural environment to be mostly tumbleweeds and cacti!  Not only was I wrong, but I have since fallen in love with the diversity of the plants, parks, trees, and swimming holes that Texas offers!  Every summer I refresh my spirit by jumping in one of many cold springs around the area, and every winter I give thanks that I can re-energize myself by soaking up the plentiful winter sun.  As an Outdoor Afro leader, I find such pleasure in connecting the local Black community to all that nature offers–it is extremely restorative.

One of my favorite Outdoor Afro hikes this year was with Texas Land Conservancy.  The TLC staff and landowners were gracious hosts to our group full of families with small children! It was amazing to experience and learn about the privately owned land in Texas, the vast amount of it, and all of the natural species that are thriving because of conservation efforts. We were truly grateful to partner with TLC, learn about the native trees (through a collaborative event with Treefolks) on the land, and take in all of untouched beauty that exists in our community.  With all of the children on our hike, I’m sure we’ve inspired some future Texas environmental conservationists!”

Starla Simmons
Outdoor Afro Leader
Austin, TX

I think everyone has a responsibility to take care of the Earth- it’s where we live after all!

“I love the diversity in Texas nature! This beautiful state encompasses so many amazing kinds of wildlife and natural habitats- from the lush green woods of the hill country to the canyons and deserts in west Texas. I’ve been so happy to call it my home for the past 10 years!

I started volunteering with Texas Land Conservancy because I admire their mission to protect Texas land and wildlife. When hearing about all of the environmental problems in the world it’s easy to feel discouraged about the future of our planet, but organizations like TLC provide a way for us to protect and conserve the things we love most about our state. I think everyone has a responsibility to take care of the Earth- it’s where we live after all!”

Clara Patt
Texas Land Conservancy Volunteer
Recent Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin
Graphic Designer

“What I love about TLC is that its mission reaches far into the future to conserve our lands for generations to come.”

“Texas has been my home for over 20 years and there is so much natural beauty to appreciate.  I love Texas’s wide open spaces and I swear our sunsets are unparalleled.  I am constantly in awe of our trees – whether I am admiring my own backyard, jogging around Lady Bird Lake or escaping the city.  We have some seriously amazing trees y’all.  Our family spends as much time as possible parked on the Texas gulf coast each summer or circled around a campfire where we can see the stars.  I have loved watching my kids interact with nature and teaching them about our land.

What I love about TLC is that its mission reaches far into the future to conserve our lands for generations to come.  It reminds us that while we might be lucky enough in our lifetimes to own a piece of this land, our hold on it is temporary and it’s never really ours.  We have a responsibility to our children, and theirs, to be stewards of this land so that they too will have the opportunity to appreciate ancient cypress trees and marvel at a night sky unpolluted by city lights.  TLC empowers and enables landowners to protect the land they love and, as a new board member, I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Michelle Kopplow
Texas Land Conservancy Board Member
Maxwell Locke & Ritter, Audit Associate

“I support Texas Land Conservancy because I know the work they do is pivotal to preserving so much of what I love about Texas.”

I grew up in the hill country, playing outside and swimming in the creeks; but it took me traveling the world and coming home to really see the magnificent and simple gifts Texas offers. I love the diversity of land; I can visit dramatic canyons and creeks just down the road from my house. Or I can travel east and hike through pine forests, or south and sleep on an open beach. Texas is as diverse as it is huge, and I know I will never stop exploring or finding amazement here.

I support Texas Land Conservancy because I know the work they do is pivotal to preserving so much of what I love about Texas. Their dedication to protecting undisturbed lands helps keep Texas wild and open, and I feel peace knowing future generations will be able to look out onto the landscape of this beautiful state and still see the raw beauty I see today.

I also love the people at TLC! The men and women there have shown me so much support as I aspire to enter the conservation field in central Texas. Their kindness and help has warmed my heart and taught me so much. I am grateful for them and their hard work protecting Texas!

Courtney Young
Texas Land Conservancy Volunteer
Willbarger Creek Conservation Alliance, Programs Manager