AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Texan by Nature (TxN), a conservation non-profit, today announces the selection of the 2022 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 for people, prosperity, and natural resources.
The Texan by Nature team will work with the 2022 Conservation Wranglers and provide 12-18 months of tailored support in program management, strategic planning, marketing strategy, metrics capture and analysis, professional content production, and partnership development – whatever is needed to accelerate the project.
“Each year, we’re thrilled to select the most innovative and replicable conservation projects in our state,” shared Texan by Nature Founder and former First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush. “Congratulations to the 2022 Conservation Wranglers! We are proud of you, and we thank you for the terrific example you’ve set for all Texans.”
“We received a diverse selection of Conservation Wrangler applications this year, representing an incredibly impressive range of focus areas and collaboration,” said Joni Carswell, President and CEO of TxN. “In addition to natural resource benefits, the selected Conservation Wranglers represented creative new opportunities for delivering and measuring health and economic impact. TxN’s work with this year’s selected projects will expand conservation efforts and results across the state. We look forward to sharing Conservation Wrangler best practices as well as opportunities to participate in and scale these efforts and returns.”
Texan by Nature will recognize the 2022 Conservation Wranglers at the annual Conservation Summit on November 2, 2022, in Dallas, TX at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
2022 Conservation Wranglers:
Bringing Baffin Back - Harte Research Institute & Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program
Baffin Bay is the “jewel” of the Texas coast, with salty waters that have traditionally supported world-class fishing for spotted seatrout, redfish, and black drum. However, over the last two decades there has been a significant decline in its water quality and a subsequent decline in ecosystem health, including loss of critical habitats and negative impacts on important fish species. The primary cause of the decline in Baffin Bay’s health is excessive nutrient pollution from the bay’s watershed stemming from human activities. The Bringing Baffin Back initiative, led by the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, represents a sustained commitment to dramatically improve the health of Baffin Bay and the economy of local communities that it supports through partnerships between scientists, citizen groups, landowners, philanthropies, policy makers, local municipalities, state officials, NGOs, and private businesses. Its overarching goals are to: 1) find solutions to the water quality problems that are contributing to the decline in the health of Baffin Bay, 2) restore key watershed and bay habitat that has been lost, 3) foster a stewardship ethos, especially among younger generations of residents, and 4) advance efforts to educate the public on the relationship between watershed and bay health.
Hives for Heroes is a military veteran non-profit organization promoting honey bee conservation and a healthy transition from service. The mission of Hives for Heroes is to facilitate healthy relationships with a purpose by fostering a lifetime hobby of beekeeping. By matching veterans and first responders with experienced beekeeping mentors, new members will suit up, overcome fear, accomplish a goal through process-oriented techniques, and walk away with a sense of accomplishment. This therapeutic practice easily translates to personal and professional lives when dealing with PTS and other traumas from service. Veterans are also able to learn a trade with purpose, while contributing to the broader, lifelong goal of environmental conservation. Hives for Heroes also serves the community and fellow bee conservationists on a regular basis through volunteering, as well as assisting in apiary management, whether it be a large outdoor space or a single hive backyard management.
Texas Partnership for Forests and Water - Texas A&M Forest Service
The Texas Partnership for Forests and Water is a statewide collaborative working to sustain and enhance healthy, productive forested watersheds across the state to provide reliable sources of drinking water and benefits to local economies. This initiative aims to increase understanding and communication between the forest and drinking water sectors and is part of a larger, regional collaborative called the Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water. Almost 40 percent of the surface drinking water supply in Texas originates from forests and woodlands, making the long-term stewardship of these landscapes imperative to current and future drinking water supplies. In addition to supplying the cleanest water of any land use, forests also purify the air, sequester carbon, promote recreational opportunities, and provide habitat for a diverse mix of plants and animals. The Texas Partnership for Forests and Water actively promotes and facilitates collaboration across the forest, water, corporate, and conservation sectors. Through broader messaging and increased investment, the partnership will help these sectors collaborate on mutual goals that benefit each group, from water security and forest sustainability, to land conservation, habitat enhancement, and economic growth.
Texas Runs on Water - Texas Water Foundation
Texas Runs on Water is a first-of-its-kind statewide water campaign, developed to address our growing water supply needs by inspiring Texans to participate in a cultural and behavioral movement. As Texas experiences steep population growth and a widening water budget gap, the question of how to inspire Texans to conserve water is paramount. Drawing inspiration from other uniquely Texan campaigns, Texas Runs on Water is answering that question by linking the value of water to pride in all things Texas. The state’s thriving economy, wild landscapes, and beloved Texas products and pastimes exist because of water - denim jeans, tacos, barbecue, and even college football games all Run on Water. Texas is uniquely diverse and so are the relationships with water across the state. This campaign is intentionally designed as an umbrella concept that can be localized by region, audience, or water use, with the potential to link water entities, brands, industries, cultural ambassadors, and Texan iconography to water. Launched in 2021, Texas Runs on Water has millions of views in Houston, the Texas Hill Country, and the Panhandle, with plans to expand into additional regions and build brand awareness across the state. Texas Water Foundation hopes that through this campaign, all Texans will embrace that everything they love about Texas is rooted in water.
About Conservation Wrangler and Texan by Nature:
2022 Conservation Wranglers were selected, in part, based on the following criteria:
- Texan-led conservation initiative
- Benefits 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, website, 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 annual Conservation Summit & Celebration
Last year’s 2021 Conservation Wranglers included Audubon Texas, Center for Conservation and Research at San Antonio Zoo, and Texas Longleaf Team.
These projects and organizations represent significant impact for Texas:
- People: 1.2M
- Prosperity: $4B in local community economic impact and ecosystems services
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Natural Resources:
- 117,000+ acres of projected impact across all projects
- 107 Zoo-hatched Texas horned lizards released between 2020-2021
- $2,739 per acre per year in economic value for restored Longleaf Pine
- 27 bird species documented nesting on Audubon Texas managed rookery islands
Texan by Nature (TxN), 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 110+ 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 www.texanbynature.org. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram @TexanbyNature.
