TCA Annual Meeting Armand Bayou Nature Center Big Success
Members, guests, and friends gathered at Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC) September 27 & 28 for TCA’s 2024 Annual Meeting and Nature Activities Event. On Friday, Ben Jones, vice president of conservation and education at the Houston Zoo, and former executive director of TCA, led an immersive and fun tour of the zoo! Later, ABNC nature guides led a safari-style tour of the Center, sharing the refuge’s history, explaining the habitat and local critters found within the preserve’s 2,500-acres, and stopping at scenic points along the way. www.abnc.org
Saturday morning, Timothy Pylate, executive director of the Nature Center, gave an enthusiastic and potentially life-saving presentation on identifying characteristics of venomous versus non-venomous snake species in Texas. He also had live specimens for everyone to look at and pet.
TCA’s annual meeting focused on the history and current programs of the organization. TCA Chairman Justin Lannen highlighted recent success that built on the work of our founders Ned and Genie Fritz. Justin introduced Geralyn Hoey, director of conservation programs for National Wildlife Federation, who is taking over from Steve Bender as TCA’s primary liaison with NWF. Please join us in offering a heartfelt thank you to Steve for years of working closely, and in extending a warm welcome to Geralyn.
TCA’s Janice Bezanson celebrated the passage of Proposition 14, to provide a billion dollars in public money for acquisition of new state park land, and recent steps in protecting mountain lions, then reported on our work to prevent new reservoirs in North Texas. Larry Shelton, TCA’s national forest policy coordinator, reported on recent successes and challenges protecting habitat in our state’s national forests. Mei Ling Liu, community conservation director for TCA, described the work of our Texas Conservation Action Team (TXCAT), including the Lights Out campaign and our internship program, and partnerships TCA has formed with other organizations.
TCA welcomed John DeFillipo, former TCA executive director, as keynote speaker. John spoke of his new role as executive director of the South Central Region for NWF, and commented on his continued involvement with TCA in the future and our shared commitment to protect wildlife and wild habitat in Texas.
Thank you all for a wonderful two-day event!
From the Chairman
by Justin Lannen
TCA has been incredibly blessed to have enjoyed a long history of gifted executive leaders, who are known to be some of the greatest advocates for wildlife protection within the Texas conservation movement. TCA’s most recent Executive Director, John DeFillipo, also left his mark on TCA and Texas conservation. In addition to successfully managing the operations and finances of 50-year old non-profit organization with numerous staff and contractors, John pushed for protection of ghost wolves and mountain lions, advocated for the preservation of bottomland hardwood forests threatened by the construction of unneeded reservoirs, and continued to oversee the implementation of TCA’s vitally important community conservation programs.
Thank you, John, for doing a great job leading and strengthening TCA and we look forward to working together in conservation as you take on your new role at National Wildlife Federation!
While the search for TCA’s next great Executive Director takes shape, TCA’s amazing staff and contractors have really stepped up to keep TCA running at full force. Conservation is more important now than it ever has been and I am so proud of our staff’s dedication to TCA’s mission and passion for wildlife protection. Keep up the great work!
~ Advocacy & Policy ~
Opposition to Marvin Nichols Reservoir Making Headlines
Opponents of Marvin Nichols Reservoir have been garnering widespread media attention to the enormous negative impacts of the 66,000-acre Marvin Nichols Reservoir, proposed on the Sulphur River in northeast Texas. Roughly 250 Texans – from elder citizens to babes in arms – turned out at a special meeting of the Region D Water Planning Group (North East Texas) on October 30 to voice their opposition to Marvin Nichols Reservoir. A month before, dozens of East Texans traveled to Arlington to speak at a meeting of the Region C Water Planning Group (DFW area).
Property owners against the proposed water project presented their personal stories with passion. One Dallas resident reminded Northeast Texans that, "There are people in DFW who support all of you.” Both of the regional water planning meetings garnered extensive coverage, including mentions on six TV stations, front-page stories twice in the Dallas Morning News, an article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram, air time on the Texas Standard radio show, and a number of stories in East Texas media outlets.
“For more than 20 years, we’ve been telling the world about the huge impacts on people, the regional economy, and the natural environment if Marvin Nichols is built,” said Janice Bezanson, TCA’s Senior Policy Director. “Forcing thousands of people off their property and destroy productive timber, agriculture, and wildlife lands when there are other ways to provide DFW with water is an issue that needs the attention of Texas leaders all across the state.
Local elected officials, including State Representative Gary VanDeaver, who has worked through the legislative process to try and stop the reservoir, also spoke out. Cass County Judge Travis Ransom summed up everyone's feeling, saying to Region C Planning Group members, “Your Texas miracle should not be our Texas nightmare.”
The Centennial Fund Crucial for Expanding Texas State Parks
Last November, Texas voters earmarked a billion dollars in state funds (without raising taxes) to be used to acquire additional land for state parks. Passed during the 100th anniversary year of the Texas State Park System, the money will be used for launching new parks and expanding existing ones. These new public lands will provide additional outdoor recreation, especially near underserved urban areas, and will protect majestic scenery and valuable wildlife lands all across the state.
Less than 5% of Texas is publicly owned and available for public enjoyment. Expanding Texas parks is important in our burgeoning state as the current state parks can’t keep up with the demand from our growing population. The fund will allow the state to buy land from willing sellers when unique properties come available that would make beautiful state parks.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meets bimonthly and almost every agenda includes some land acquisition. The November meeting saw approval of 3,073 acres added to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (SNA), 823 acres added to Government Canyon SNA near San Antonio, 2020 acres for Colorado Bend State Park, an expansion Caddo Lake Wildlife Management Area, and land in Uvalde County to be used for a new state park.
Upcoming proposals can be found every other month
beginning in January on TPWD’s website.
SWAP Revision Underway, Our Input Invited
The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is the conservation strategy document developed by the wildlife agency for each state to give habitat managers, landowners, partners, researchers, and others a blueprint for what information is needed and what can be done to help fish, wildlife, and natural habitats. The Texas SWAP is up for a comprehensive revision over the next year and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking for our help.
The SWAP identifies species at risk, outlines threats to biodiversity, and sets out actions to ensure the survival of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats. It plays a crucial role in guiding conservation efforts and securing federal funding for long-term sustainability. If the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act succeeds in passing in the future, the SWAP will help direct how the money is spent. The update will modernize the plan and reflect the latest data on species conservation. For the first time, the SWAP will also be presented entirely online, making it more accessible to everyone.
As part of this process, TPWD and the Texas Alliance for America's Fish and Wildlife (TAAFW), a project of TCA, are partnering to gather valuable feedback from stakeholders across the state. We want to know what information is most important to you, how you prefer to receive it, and what your priorities and barriers to conservation are. Access more information, watch an introductory video, and download a free social media toolkit on More information is available on TAAFW's website, such as an introductory video, social media toolkits to spread the word online, pictures, and a link to take the SWAP survey.
~ Community Conservation ~
Lights Out, Texas! 2024 Expanding Advocacy, Education, and Impact
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 audience in 2024, TCA developed several innovative programs, including the Lights Out, Texas! curriculum for 6th-8th graders and pilot initiatives on university campuses. In 2025, we’ll work with municipalities and building managers to expand Lights Out participation and advocate for bird-friendly glass.
The Lights Out campaign combines advocacy, education, and monitoring of impacts to drive meaningful change for the millions of migratory birds soaring through Texas’ skyway. www.tcatexas.org/lights-out-DFW
TCA’s Careers in Conservation Internship Program has been helping shape future environmental leaders through hands-on experience in habitat protection, conservation advocacy, and in Lights Out, Texas! Interns have organized habitat restoration events and led bird collision surveys in DFW and College Station, making a real impact on Texas wildlife and gaining valuable career skills.
Spring 2025 Internship Dates
Accepting applications: 12/30 - 1/31
Start date: 2/24
East Texas and Native Plant Propagation end dates: 5/3
Lights Out end dates: 5/17
Available Positions
Three Lights Out internships: Dallas, Fort Worth, and College Station
One Native Plant Propagation internship: Dallas
One Habitat Restoration internship: East Texas
Fostering a Future Generation of Conservationists
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 events, we engage youth and their families as environmental stewards.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, December 7th
Seagoville – Take Action. Protect Wildlife at Post Oak Preserve
Monday, January 20th
Kountze – Big Thicket Longleaf Pine Planting
Monday, February 17th
Kountze - Big Thicket Longleaf Pine Planting