Save the Land While We Still Can

Thomas Maddux at a Marysee Prairie monthly workday in March of 2018.

For Tom Maddux, TLC member and dedicated volunteer, land conservation is not only about connecting to Texas nature, but also to the community. He’s dedicated decades of hard work to preserving Marysee Prairie. “It’s like a gem,” he says, “and the only protected tract of tallgrass prairie in the Big Thicket area.” He has loved the work itself, particularly prescribed burns, as well as the friendships born out of a shared dedication to the land. He has fond memories of sitting on the back porch of Maxine Johnston’s house with his fellow volunteers, enjoying wine and Planter’s Punch. “Maxine is a paragon of hospitality,” he says. “I forgot what paragon means, but I think it’s something good!” Marysee Prairie volunteers often enjoyed food and fellowship at Maxine’s, followed by exploring a new wild corner of the Big Thicket. 

Tom’s involvement with TLC started in the late eighties, at a NAPA spring gathering at Winters Bayou Preserve—TLC was formally known as Natural Area Preservation Association (NAPA), but his love of the outdoors is rooted in childhood experiences. As a kid, he explored the limestone hills near Ranger and Strawn, now the future site of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, and when it comes to conservation, he has younger generations in mind. His work is not only about saving land but also about restoring it and improving protected properties for the enjoyment of generations to come. When asked why, Tom puts things quite simply: “So that we don’t make a wreck of the whole earth.” A paragon of dedication to Texas nature, Tom cares deeply about protecting the water and wildlife we love in the lone star state, as well as the camaraderie that comes out of enjoying these resources. As Tom says, we have to save land “while we still can” and make it better whenever possible.

Visit our Marysee Prairie preserve page to learn more about the prairie, sign up for an upcoming workday, read more stories from volunteers, and look back at the 30th Anniversary Celebration!