standing on common ground STORY BY LORIE A. WOODWARD PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS WILDLIFE ASSOCIATION
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ounded in 1985, the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) focuses on private landowners and their ethical relationship to the land. “In Texas where 95 percent of the land is privately owned, the voluntary stewardship efforts of private landowners maintain the state’s ecological engine and provide our citizens with clean air, water, and wildlife habitat not to mention food and fiber,” said Justin Dreibelbis, TWA CEO. “Whether you’re a property owner, hunter, angler, wildlife watcher, conservationist or just someone who values our quality of life, it’s important to work cooperatively with private landowners for the future well-being of our natural resources.” TWA has three main program areas: Conservation Legacy (youth and adult education), Hunting Heritage (Texas Youth Hunting Program and Texas Big Game Awards), and Issues and Advocacy. Regardless of an individual’s interest in the outdoors, there is a place for everyone under TWA’s expansive tent. The membership includes legacy landowners and new landowners. People who own thousands of acres, others who own 10 acres, and others who own no land. A quick survey of the membership rolls identifies wildlife managers, research scientists, conservation agency personnel, entrepreneurs, attorneys, teachers, bankers, doctors, ranchers and business owners. Ages range from 20-somethings to retirees. “At TWA, our members come from different places and have different experiences, but they stand on common ground,” Dreibelbis said. “They all want to leave Texas better for the next generation of Texans.” Read on to meet a few of the members and learn why they invest their time and talent in TWA.
