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Texas Conservation Alliance advocates for the protection of wildlife and wild habitat in the state of Texas. The State Affiliate of National Wildlife Federation. RIVERS AND WATERWAYS 2025 RAFFLE RIVERS AND WATERWAYS 2025 RAFFLE RIVERS AND WATERWAYS 2025 RAFFLE RIVERS AND WATERWAYS 2025 RAFFLE Learn More / Buy Tickets Raffle ends on 12/08/2025 / 3-Prize Packages Available / 1 ticket for $100 or 10 tickets for $500 Buy Raffle Tickets Shop for Gifts Subscribe Join/Donate About Us Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA), founded in 1971, works to protect Texas rivers, forests, wildlife, and our natural heritage. TCA combines grassroots outreach, policy advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation to safeguard Texas’ future for both people and wildlife. TCA is the State Affiliate for the National Wildlife Federation. About TCA Recent Blog Posts Available Position: Director of Conservation Fight Against Lake Ringgold Continues Marvin Nichols Reservoir Generates Statewide Opposition 1 2

Careers in Conservation This page was last updated on 10/15/2025. There is one (1) announcement available at this time. Scroll down for important details. Position: Director of Conservation Location: Dallas, Texas Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000 (commensurate with experience and education) Reports to: Executive Director Posting closes: Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. Click here to read a position summary, key responsibilities, and details on how to apply. Send questions to : michael@tcatexas.org Send your application to: tca-careers@tcatexas.org About Texas Conservation Alliance Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA), founded in 1971, works to protect Texas rivers, forests, wildlife, and our natural heritage. TCA combines grassroots outreach, policy advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation to safeguard Texas’ future for both people and wildlife. TCA is the State Affiliate for the National Wildlife Federation. Website: https://www.tcatexas.org/ ********** Texas Conservation Alliance is committed to inclusion, diversity, and equity as core tenets of the organization, where everyone is respected and valued regardless of race, creed, ancestry, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or national origin.

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Learn more about TCA's Officers and Board of Directors. TCA Board of Directors TCA Board Directory 2025 Grahame Jones Executive Director Austin Justin Lannen Chairman Dallas Richard LeTourneau Vice Chairman Longview Peggy Carr Secretary Dallas Hon. Jesse Oliver Treasurer Dallas Victoria Calder Granbury Allyn Dukes Houston David B. Gray Former Chairman Dallas Earl B. Matthew, M.D. Rockport Susan Petersen Former Chairman Austin Susan S chm idt Dallas Zeshan Segal Dallas John Shepperd Austin David Todd Austin Davin Topel Bee Cave Bruce Walker Beaumont Giants of Conservation TCA Welcomes Grahame Jones As New Executive Director Grahame lives in Austin with his wife Julie and has two daughters, Gabbie and Jali, pictured above with the canine member of the family,... Honoring Genie Fritz With other TCA leaders, Genie Fritz accepts the National Wildlife Federation’s 2011 Affiliate of the Year Award. With sadness and great... Remembering Richard Donovan On February 19, the Texas conservation community lost one of its greatest advocates. Richard Donovan’s contributions to TCA and to environme

Certify Your Wildlife Habitat Keep scrolling down to learn more. Click on the button below when you're ready to certify your space! I'm Ready to Certify About Garden for Wildlife® Garden for Wildlife® is the act of planting with purpose to benefit wildlife and people. • An ideal Certified Wildlife Habitat® provides food, water, cover, and places to raise young for wildlife with a minimum goal of 70% native plants that provide multi-season bloom and are free of neonicotinoids and other pesticides or herbicides. • Wildlife gardening occurs where people live, work, play, learn, and worship and especially benefits wildlife including birds, pollinators, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. • Gardening for wildlife helps people connect to nature and enjoy its benefits. There’s no easier place to get a daily dose of nature and the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits that go along with it than right outside your own door. • Wildlife gardening is inclusive. Anyone, at any age, in any place, can help. Anyone can participate and receive recognition for their efforts, whether it’s one person with a window box or an entire community that has built a wildlife habitat corridor. Turn Your Space into a Certified Wildlife Habitat® Wildlife is experiencing a crisis like none before in our lifetimes. Luckily, you have the power to help wildlife by supporting them where you live! You can support wildlife in your own yard and neighborhood by using sustainable gardening practices or by totally transforming your lawn into a natural landscape! Native plants are the foundation of a wildlife habitat garden. They provide ample sources of food, cover and places to raise young. The National Wildlife Federation recommends a habitat garden space strive for 70% native plants. You can find native plant lists for your zip code through the Native Plant Finder or look through keystone plant lists for your ecoregion ! By creating a habitat in your outdoor space that provides the habitat essentials of food, water, cover, places to raise young, and sustainable practices, you can even get recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®! By certifying, your wildlife habitat will be recognized by both the National Wildlife Federation and Texas Conservation Alliance. Getting your space recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat helps you to advance the mission of Texas Conservation Alliance and the National Wildlife Federation. Plus, it comes with tons of benefits! Not sure if your landscape qualifies? Take this 5-min QUIZ to find out or learn more about creating a wildlife habitat HERE . Benefits of your certification include: A personalized certificate. A one-year National Wildlife Federation membership and subscription to National Wildlife® magazine. 10% off National Wildlife Federation catalog merchandise such as nesting boxes, feeders, birdbaths, and other items to enhance your wildlife garden. Subscription to monthly Garden for Wildlife® Habitats e-newsletter with gardening tips, wildlife stories, and other resources. Exclusive option to purchase attractive garden signs designating your garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat® with the National Wildlife Federation and Texas Conservation Alliance. Learn more about certifying your wildlife garden! *All certifications include a complimentary year of membership to Texas Conservation Alliance*

Lights Out, DFW! August 15 – November 30 Peak Migration: September 5 – October 29 Turn off your ligh ts, protect wildlife . It's fall migration! Keep birds flying high by turning off non-essential lighting from 11pm - 6am. Lights Out DFW Buildling Challenge! The Challenge. Texas is essential for migratory birds, with millions soaring across our Lone Star skies every spring and fall. Most birds migrate at night, and brightly lit buildings can confuse and disorient them on their journey, resulting in deadly collisions. In the US, as many as 3.5 billion birds die from collisions with buildings every yea r! Because of light pollution, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is the 3rd most dangerous area in the United States for migratory birds to travel through. Link Upcoming Events Lights Out Events in North Texas Fall 2025 Building Challenge Guidelines Link Lights Out Education Program Link Lights Out Education Link Building Challenge Flyer Link Building Challenge Webpage The Campaign. Lights Out, DFW! is a flagship program of the statewide Lights Out, Texas! campaign, targeting non-essential lighting in the DFW metroplex. Aiming to ensure a darker night sky, all business owners and residents are encouraged to go lights out during bird migration seasons. Throughout fall and spring migrations, collision surveys are conducted daily along set routes in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth to assess lights-out efforts. During these early morning surveys, volunteers document and collect bird-building collision fat alities and 1/12 rescue stunned and injured birds. Collected specimens enter a salvage pipeline to be incorporated into the Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections (BRTC) at Texas A&M University, where samples are taken to support avian research projects at Texas A&M and beyond. TCA has partnered with other non-profit organizations such as Dallas Zoo, Texas Master Naturalists, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Trinity River Audubon Center, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus, and Fort Worth Audubon Society to con duct these surveys. What You Can Do. By turning off non-essential lighting from 11pm-6am , you can provide migratory birds safer passage across the Texas night sky . Certify your home or business with Lights Out For Wildlife! It's free and easy. Click to learn m ore and make the pledge. Use your voice! Be an advocate for wildlife, spread the Lights Out message, and make your community safer for migrating birds. Encourage your local government, businesses, and neighbors to take Lights Out action and consider bird-friendly building options. Lights Out Flyers Outreach Email Templates Advocacy Toolkit Social Media Toolkit In te rested In Volunteering? Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting our collision monitoring efforts. By volunteering with the Lights Out, DFW! team, you help save stunned or injured birds, gather valuable data for research, and promote a darker night sky in our community. The program has encouraged hundreds of citizens to participate in community science. Both groups and individuals are welcom e. Lights Out, Dallas! Lights Out, Fort Worth! Find our previous Survey Highlights and Observations below: LOD Spring 25 LOFW Spring 25 LOFW Fall 24 LOD Fall 24 Lights Out, DFW! Updates Want to get updates throughout the Lights Out season? Sign up here for emails! Please click here for Lights Out, DFW! requests. Inquire Here Are you an educator interested in hosting an event or presentation in the DFW region? Education and Outreach Program Lights Out for Wildlife Certification Every person and every business, school, hotel, home, high rise, restaurant, municipal building, and place of worship can receive a Lights Out for Wildlife certification. Certification comes with a certificate to celebrate your pledge to save wildlife and lets you share your commitment publicly with colleagues, coworkers, customers, family, and friends. It provides a public way to show off your commitment to conservation while inspiring others to take action and join in. Certification is a source of pride for all involved and it's free, so sign up today! Certify Your Home or Building Here How We Started And What We've Found. TCA is an on-the-ground leader in a statewide effort to darken the night sky, Lights Out, Texas! This citizen-science and outreach initiative, led by Audubon Texas , started in 2017 in response to a mass fallout-collision event in Galveston that killed nearly 400 songbirds in one night. Our campaign started in fall of 2020 in response to a publication that found, out of the 125 largest urban areas in the continental US, DFW ranks 3rd highest in exposing migratory birds to light pollution. Though originally just Lights Out, Dallas! our work has since expanded across the DFW metroplex with Lights Out, Fort Worth! in Spring 2023. Over each of the past six migratory seasons, TCA has conducted 57 to 80 consecutive surveys, collecting hundreds of mortalities over 100 species. Tha nks to 7,295 hours of volunteer service , TCA has surveyed 5,643 miles , collecte d 3,098 mortalities , performed 324 rescues , and ensured lights-out action from hundreds of businesses and homes . Watch our Texas Parks and Wildlife Special!

Apply for a 10-week internship at Texas Conservation Alliance. TCA seeks conservation leaders to engage in real projects to protect Texas wildlife. CAREERS IN CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Work with TCA staff implementing wildlife conservation projects around Texas in our 10-week and 12-week internship programs. Scroll down for the application and descriptions. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. This page was last updated on 9/13/2025 Send your resume and a cover letter, along with the application, to Meiling@tcatexas.org . The deadline to apply for Spring 2026 is not available yet. Please check back later. All Fall 2025 internships have been filled. Fall 2025 Internship Application Fall 2025 Lights Out College Station 12-weeks Description Fall 2025 Lights Out Fort Worth 12-weeks Description Fall 2025 Native Plant Restoration 10-weeks Description Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) is seeking interns who are passionate about protecting Texas wildlife and their habitats. Our Careers in Conservation Internship Program is helping train the future conservation leaders of Texas. Participants work alongside TCA’s seasoned conservation professionals and experience the frontlines of saving wildlife and their habitats in the state. Internship projects vary, but the opportunity to develop technical acumen, exercise transferable skills, and cultivate conservation leadership is integral to every TCA experience. Selected candidates will work with TCA staff to implement wildlife conservation projects. Our 10-week/12-week* internship offers opportunities to make positive impacts for wildlife and provides valuable hands on learning experiences and professional development opportunities applicable to future careers in sustainability and conservation. Potential Projects Organize wildlife habitat restoration events. Restoring degraded wildlife habitat is critical to the conservation of species. Interns will research opportunities, build community partnerships, and coordinate event logistics. Potential projects include litter pollution removal from Texas waterways, planting native plants, and removing invasive species to restore prairie, and reforestation through community tree-planting events. Propagate native prairie plants. Interns based in the Dallas-area can gain experience working with and learning more about Texas native plants and greenhouse propagation methods at the Native Plant Propagation Center, located at and in partnership with the Dallas Zoo. The Center cultivates well over 10,000 seedlings each year across more than 100 species of native grasses, shrubs, and forbs for prairie conservation around the state. Lead bird collision surveys (spring and fall only). Lights Out Texas is a statewide behavior-change campaign aimed at saving migratory birds from building-collisions by encouraging businesses and residents to turn off non-essential lights during spring and fall migration. Bird collision surveys are an important component of the scientific research of this campaign. TCA leads surveys in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth as well as on-campus at Texas A&M University, College Station, during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) migration seasons. Interns will help lead the survey two days each week in addition to another project. Promote Lights Out for Wildlife. Interns will strengthen the Lights Out for Wildlife brand by promoting the behavior-change campaign through community outreach, social media marketing techniques, and presentations. Interns may also help reach out to municipality officials, business owners, and community members to encourage taking action during bird migrations. Lights Out for Wildlife is a program to certify homes, businesses, and/or buildings by taking Lights Out action to save birds and other wildlife impacted by light pollution. Interns will assist in promoting the certification program and create strategies to encourage participation.

Join the TCA 50 Support Circle to support emerging leaders in conservation with TCA's internship program. TCA50 SUPPORT CIRCLE Join the TCA50, a major giving circle to support TCA's Careers in Conservation Internship Program. Texas Conservation Alliance is seeking 50 conservation heroes to make a special gift of $1,000 or above to help train and equip TCA troops in the trenches protecting Texas rivers, forests, and wildlife. Special thanks to these folks for supporting TCA's internship program! CAREERS IN CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TCA’s Careers in Conservation Internship Program is helping train the future conservation leaders of Texas. Students work alongside TCA’s seasoned conservation professionals and experience the frontlines of saving wildlife and their habitats in the state. Internship projects vary, but the opportunity to develop technical acumen, exercise transferable skills, and cultivate conservation leadership is integral to every TCA experience. SUPPORT EMERGING CONSERVATION LEADERS Visit TCA's donation page then make a special gift of $1,000 or above to become a member of the TCA50. Your gift supports TCA's Careers in Conservation Internship Program, offering emerging conservation leaders work experience protecting and restoring Texas rivers, forests, and endangered prairies. Long-term success requires farsighted planning and provision for the future. Your membership in the TCA50 Support Circle will help ensure conservation victories across the next 50 years. Each member will help strengthen TCA's staffing through paid internships, mentoring, and engagement with a new generation of Texas talent. Along with our thanks, you'll receive a special TCA50 lapel pin, a TCA cap, and TCA program updates. More About Internships

Through grassroots advocacy and community coalitions, Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) protects and preserves wildlife and wild habitats for the future benefit of all Texans. Our Mission For more than 50 years, Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) has successfully advocated for wildlife and wild places in Texas. TCA has engaged with local communities to protect the rivers and forests of East Texas and the prairies of West Texas. Thanks to TCA, more than 200,000 Texas acres are protected in parks and wildlife refuges. We've stopped unnecessary reservoirs that drown Texas rivers, fought clear-cutting in national forests, and recruited thousands of people to conserve Texas' beautiful outdoor world. Texas Conservation Alliance is here to help the citizens of Texas rally local support, gather the facts, and protect against the encroachment of wildlife habitats so crucial to the future of our state. Texas Conservation Alliance educates Texans and builds alliances to enhance and sustain wildlife habitat and protect our land, air, and water for future generations. Nuestra Mission Por mas 50 años, Texas Conservation Alliance ha defendido con éxito la vida silvestre y los lugares salvajes en Texas. TCA se ha comprometido con las comunidades locales para proteger los ríos y bosques del este de Texas y las praderas del oeste de Texas. Gracias a TCA, más de 200,000 acres en Texas son protegidos en parques y refugios de vida silvestre. Hemos detenido embalses innecesarios que ahogan los ríos de Texas, combatió los cortes limpios en los bosques nacionales, y reclutó a miles de personas para conservar el hermoso mundo al aire libre de Texas. Texas Conservation Alliance está aquí para ayudar a los ciudadanos de Texas a conseguir apoyo local, reunir los hechos, y proteger los hábitats de vida silvestre tan cruciales para el futuro de nuestro estado. Texas Conservation Alliance educa Tejanos y construye alianzas para mejorar y sostener hábitats de fauna silvestre y para proteger nuestras tierras, aire y agua para las futuras generaciones. TCA is the State Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation We are proud to be the Texas Affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, the country's largest conservation organization. Partnering with NWF connects TCA to national issues and gives national attention to local efforts in Texas. TCA History For over 50 years Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) has advocated for wildlife, wildlife habitats, and protection of Texas’ waterways. TCA’s founder, Ned Fritz , a legend among Texas conservationists, launched TCA with the vision, energy, and integrity to ensure decades of success under the name TCONR or Texas Committee on Natural Resources. TCA has built public support to establish numerous wildlife refuges, state and federal parks, wilderness areas, and other wildlife areas, resulting in more than 250,000 Texas acres under public protection. TCA’s efforts prevented damming Texas rivers with five unnecessary reservoirs that together would have permanently flooded 150,000 acres of bottomland habitat including forests and prairie. TCA’s forest work ended clearcutting on 200,000 acres of national forests in Texas and led to better management of all our country’s national forests. TCA has played key roles in coalitions that stopped a private toll road through the Big Thicket National Preserve, prevented canal dredging through Caddo Lake and up the Trinity River to Dallas, obtained increased funding for Texas state parks, promoted water conservation, and secured higher water quality standards for Texas rivers and creeks. TCA provides program support for our 50 alliance members and trains community groups to address pressing, local environmental issues. TCA has recruited thousands of Texans to active conservation and advocacy, and has served as a pipeline for many advocates into conservation leadership roles including through our robust, TCA Careers In Conservation Internship Program. TCA has long observed that Texans are much more likely to protect an area they have visited and come to love. TCA conducts education programs and outdoor activities associated with issue projects to connect families to nature and foster a conservation ethic. TCA’s Texas Conservation Action Team is a community-driven, hands-on habitat restoration program with three key purposes: 1) restore habitats by planting trees or prairie, removing invasive species, and removing litter pollution 2) educate new communities and young people about how to become involved in conservation and about the big environmental issues facing our state, and 3) promote and cultivate a commitment to Texas environmental conservation into the future. TCA’s programs to protect wildlife habitat and water resources benefit all Texans by safeguarding nature’s essential ecosystem services such as water filtration, flood control, carbon sequestration, air purification, and more. By protecting landscapes and advocating for public lands, our work supports experiential education opportunities such as hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, birding, nature study, and other outdoor activities. Time outside has been shown to be essential to physical and mental wellbeing, benefits that every Texan deserves. Leadership Alliance Member Groups Contact Us Mail correspondence to: Texas Conservation Alliance PO Box 822554 Dallas, TX 75382-2554 Available by appointment at: 2904 Floyd Street, Suite E Dallas, TX 75204 Executive Director: John DeFillipo

Lights Out, Texas! DFW Building Challenge Join Reunion Tower and other DFW leaders to dim the lights for migrating birds. We’re calling on public buildings and commercial properties in North Texas to step up and join the Lights Out, Texas! DFW Building Challenge this fall. The Challenge Participants pledge to: Reduce 75% of non-essential lighting during migration periods. Share the Lights Out message with employees, tenants, and networks. Eligible Participants Cities, counties, government offices, schools, public buildings, and commercial properties in the North Texas region. Select Your Level of Participation Migration Guardian – Full 8-week commitment (Sept. 5 – Oct. 29) Protects the full spectrum of migrants, from early species like Hummingbirds, Orioles, and Buntings to later migrants. Wildlife Steward – Minimum 4-week commitment during DFW peak migration (Sept. 24 – Oct. 29) Covers the regional core peak migration, when large numbers of Warblers, Thrushes, and Sparrows are moving through. Keen Observer – Less than 4 weeks during migration. Ideal for buildings eager to stay informed and explore future participation opportunities. Join Reunion Tower in turning off lights to protect migratory birds! Download Flyer Why it Matters Texas sits in the Central Flyway, where billions of birds migrate each spring and fall. Bright city lights disorient them at night, pulling them into cities and could lead to deadly glass strikes. Up to one billion birds die in the U.S. each year from window collisions. By reducing non-essential lighting, we can save birds, cut energy costs, and protect our night skies. Benefits of Participation Wildlife Conservation: Help protect billions of migratory birds that pass through Texas. Sustainability Leadership: Position your city or company as a leader in conservation and environmental stewardship. Energy Cost Savings: Reducing unnecessary lighting lowers energy bills and operational costs. Community Recognition: Participants will be recognized in press releases, communications, and social media spotlights. Support for Participants When you join the challenge, you'll receive: A Pledge Toolkit with building checklists, sample policies, and communications templates. Recognition materials, including a certificate of participation. How to Join Commit your building(s) by signing the Lights Out pledge for fall migration at the Audubon Texas website . Designate a liaison to coordinate building participation and share updates. Take action by reducing lights during migration periods. Led By Reunion Tower, Audubon Texas, Dallas Zoo, and Texas Conservation Alliance Questions Contact: LightsOutDFW@tcatexas.org Register to Join

Get involved with Texas Conservation Alliance today by signing up with one of our many events. Upcoming Events 2025 Texas Conservation Alliance Rivers and Waterways Raffle Mon, Sep 01 Draw Date: 12/11/2025 at 11:00 am More info Buy Tickets Create a habitat for wildlife at Monarch View Park Sat, Oct 11 Monarch View Park More info RSVP Plant Sale at WBU Keller Sat, Oct 11 WBU - Keller Store More info Learn more Big Thicket Day Sat, Oct 11 Beaumont More info RSVP Loco Trash Bash Sat, Oct 18 FM 973 Bridge More info RSVP John Bunker Sands Wetland Center Restoration Workday Sat, Oct 18 John Bunker Sands Wetland Center More info RSVP Restore Prairie at Cedar Hill State Park Sat, Oct 25 Cedar Hill State Park More info RSVP Planting Natives at McKinney Green Gardens Sat, Oct 25 Gabe Nesbitt Park More info RSVP Carnivorous Plant Halloween Hike Sat, Oct 25 Pitcher Plant Trailhead CR 4850 More info RSVP City of Cedar Hill Fall Beautification Day Sat, Nov 08 Traphene Hickman Library &Signature Park More info RSVP 🪚 Restore Public Land at Ray Roberts Lake State Park🪚 Sat, Nov 15 Ray Roberts Lake State Park More info RSVP Log In

Plant Sale WBU Keller Don't forget to check out the in-person sale when you come to pick up your order, there will be lots of cool species that aren't available online! Wild Birds Unlimited in Keller Plant sale pre-orders are available from September 16 - September 26. Plant sale and pre-order pickup is on October 11 , 2025 keller.wbu.com Wild Birds Unlimited 2041 Rufe Snow Dr, Keller, TX 76248 Scroll down to browse available plant packages then use the form to pre-order your plants.