Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Launches YP Group in Dallas

Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, a group that provides private support to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the state for present and future generations, has launched a Young Professionals group in Dallas for those 40 years and younger.

The group hosted a sold-out kickoff dinner for 100 on June 20 at Old Parkland to introduce the organization to those who have an interest and passion for conservation efforts. The program included Texas conservation leaders Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Wildlife and Parks Department; The Honorable Ralph Duggins, vice chairman of Texas Park and Wildlife Commission; and Kelly Thompson, chairman, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Mac Macfarlan, chair of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Young Professionals, welcomed everyone and encouraged them to join.

The Young Professionals Advisory Council: Mac Macfarlan, Chair Murrey McKee, Service Projects Josh McKee, Membership Recruitment Reece Norris and Matt Rooker, Fundraising Harlan Ray and Chris Landers, Events

Some projects the group will help support include Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Sabine Lake Oyster Reef Restoration, Pronghorn Restoration in the Trans-Pecos, and Habitat Management for Northern Bobwhite and Grassland Birds.

Mac Macfarlan, Harlan Ray, Josh McKee, Murrey McKee, Chris Landers, Matt Rooker

Anne Brown, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, said, “Resources for these conservation projects are necessarily limited. Working together with the Young Professionals, we can leverage public funds with private philanthropy to ensure the continued success and expansion of successful Texas conservation projects.”

Based on “connecting for conservation,” Texas Parks & Wildlife Young Professionals is filling a need for conservation groups in Texas, and will launch similar organizations in Austin and Houston. Benefits of membership include invitations to special events and service opportunities, an annual subscription to Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, and multiple outreach activities. The 2013-14 events calendar includes two service projects focused on the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center and Guadalupe bass sampling on the South Llano River.

More information about annual membership, which is $75, can be found at tpwf.org. Those interested may also contact Anne Brown abrown@tpwf.org or call 214-364-5632.

Carter Smith, Kelly Thompson, Ralph Duggins