Grahame lives in Austin with his wife Julie and has two daughters, Gabbie and Jali, pictured above with the canine member of the family, Waylon. Texas Conservation Alliance is delighted to introduce our new executive director, Grahame Jones. Known to many in Texas’ conservation community, Grahame brings decades of wildlife advocacy to TCA. Grahame served twenty-seven years with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), retiring in 2020 as Director of Law Enforcement. Af

With other TCA leaders, Genie Fritz accepts the National Wildlife Federation’s 2011 Affiliate of the Year Award. With sadness and great respect, Texas Conservation Alliance says goodbye to its co-founder, Eugenia “Genie” Fritz, following her extraordinary 100-year life. With her husband, legendary Texas conservationist Ned Fritz, Genie helped establish TCA, then known as Texas Committee on Natural Resources (TCONR), in 1971. As the daughter of a diplomat, Genie grew up trav

As TCA enters the fourth year of the Lights Out campaign, we’re proud to build on the program‘s successes. Many Texans now recognize the state’s critical location for migratory birds and understand the dangers light pollution poses to them. This year, Lights Out, Texas! statewide partners are also addressing the issue of glass design in urban environments - a factor that contributes to the nearly one billion bird deaths from window collisions annually. To reach a wider audien

Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature is more important than ever. Recognizing the value of learning from the natural world and the creatures around us, TCA has introduced new recreational programs, including birding, paddling, and camping. Additionally, we continue our mission with the Texas Conservation Action Team (TXCAT), restoring prairies, removing litter, and planting native trees to reduce the impact of human activities. Through hands-on conservation even

On February 19, the Texas conservation community lost one of its greatest advocates. Richard Donovan’s contributions to TCA and to environme

By Camilla Price TCA's annual meeting on September 29-30, 2023, reflected on the past year and looked ahead to 2024 and beyond. Thank you to River Legacy Living Science Center in Arlington for hosting us and to everyone who attended! TCA guests, staff, and board members at the annual meeting Board chair, Justin Lannen, kicked off the meeting with a look at TCA’s mission to preserve Texas landscapes for future generations. “It’s a noble passion, and I’m so glad to share it wit

This blog article was written by Skyler N, TCA’s College Station-based Spring 2023 intern, in reflection of his experience spearheading his internship project: Lights Out, College Station! Photo: Lights Out College Station volunteer, Mallory U (left, Ecology & Conservation Biology, ECCB), Mac M (right, Texas A&M Forest Service), and TCA intern, Skyler N (center, ECCB) As I reach the end of my freshman year at Texas A&M University, I can't help but reflect on the incredible in

Texas Conservation Alliance is excited to announce the first downtown surveys in Fort Worth looking for migratory birds that have collided with windows. TCA Volunteers at Lights Out Dallas These surveys are an extension of our work in downtown Dallas, where TCA has conducted Lights Out surveys since 2020. We look for birds that have collided with windows to learn more about how light pollution can attract and disorient birds from their migratory routes, causing them to collid

With sadness and deep appreciation, TCA says goodbye to our long-time chairman, Mack Turner, who passed away December 11. Mack’s leadership has been invaluable in growing TCA, raising its level of influence, and putting it on sound footing as we reached the 50-year mark and began our second fifty years. Members of the TCA family have often referred to his “big heart” and to his remarkable dedication. Mack Turner, 1942 - 2022 When Mack took over the chair position in 2007,

Go Lights Out for Wildlife 2022

Nearly six feet tall with wavy red hair and green eyes, Ned Fritz was a striking figure in the courtroom. His eyes twinkled on the trails of the East Texas forests he so passionately defended. More than being Texas’ greatest environmentalist, Ned was a wonderful person. David Gray, TCA board member, says of the group’s founder: “Ned had the courage to speak truth to power and to speak out against abusive policies and proposals. Yet he was always respectful, polite, and unders

Endangered whooping cranes are among the many species threatened by crude oil loading facility and desal plant.

At Baytown and Buffalo Bayou, Bachman and White Rock Lakes, and Ray Roberts Lake State Park, TCA’s summer interns organized their communities to restore wildlife habitat. These emerging conservation leaders removed over 1000 pounds of litter pollution from Texas waterways, planted thousands of native prairie plants, and advocated for migratory bird protections with city councils and county commissioners. Habitat restoration is essential. The United Nations ranks habitat loss

Long-time TCA board member Richard Donovan started out as mad as fire at TCA. He attended a meeting to protest a statement Ned Fritz had made about allowing fires in the national forest to keep burning, to allow natural processes to unfold. By the time the meeting was over, Richard had joined our organization, eventually becoming a leading supporter and vice chair of the board of directors. Richard’s name is synonymous with the Neches River in East Texas. Building on his popu

Become a TCA 50 founding member and help build a pipeline of emerging conservation leaders for our next 50 years! TCA is seeking 50 conservation champions to join the TCA 50 Support Circle. A special gift of $1,000 or above helps train and equip TCA troops in the trenches protecting Texas rivers, forests, and wildlife. Join the TCA 50 as a founding member today by donating at tcatexas.org/support-us . About TCA's internship program: TCA internships offer emerging conservation

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, long supported by TCA, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives June 14! If it also passes in the U.S. Senate, the measure will provide $1.3 billion annually to states for wildlife projects that will prevent extinctions and change the future of our nation’s wildlife for generations to come. Kemp Ridley's Sea Turtle Texas’ share of the revenues would be approximately $50 million per year. The funds would be distributed to Texas Parks a

Susan Petersen, TCA’s longest serving board member, says that volunteering for TCA is the source of constant surprises. Susan started her volunteer career in the 1970s when Ned Fritz sent her to a hearing on having wilderness areas in East Texas where she found herself in a group full of people hostile to the project. Susan Petersen Then he had her working with a state legislative aide to draw boundaries for a proposed state park (on land she’d never seen!) and testifying bef

Conservationist Ben Jones was on the front lines of a campaign that darkened the night sky across Texas. Ben Jones and Tim Brys in downtown Dallas The original article can be found here: " Bird rescuer Ben Jones is a 2021 Texan of the Year finalist ". Dallas Morning News Editorial. December 30, 2021. Texan of the Year finalists will be announced through December as we approach the naming of our 2021 Texan of the Year on Jan. 2. Find the full list at dallasnews.com/opinion/tex

Cost Savings Turning off non-essential lights can save significant amounts of electric power and reduce utility bills, extend the life of light bulbs, and decrease bulb replacement costs. Ameliorate Wildlife Habitats Studies have shown that artificial lights at night (ALAN) contribute to bird-building collisions and disrupt nocturnal animals’ mating and feeding behaviors. By adopting this certification, everyone can contribute to prevent bird window collisions and create a h

With a core belief that, “doing leads to caring” TXCAT will offer hands-on conservation opportunities for Texans of all backgrounds.