Members In Action

Meet TWA President Sarah Biedenharn

Article by KRISTIN PARMA Photo courtesy of SARAH BIEDENHARN

Introducing your newly-elected Texas Wildlife Association President Sarah Nunley Biedenharn.

Biedenharn has been a TWA member most of her life, participating in its programs and partnership programs during her youth. Preceding her term as President, she continued her activism by serving on multiple TWA committees including the Executive Committee, Conservation Legacy Committee, Membership Committee and as Co-Chair of the Convention Committee.

Biedenharn’s love of TWA’s mission reaches far back in her family history and upbringing on a cattle ranch in Sabinal, Texas.

“I’m pretty sure driving a pickup and shooting a gun were necessary skills before turning four years old in my family,” she said. “I am lucky to have grown up in a place where that was possible and very grateful for my parents who taught me not to take those things for granted.”

It’s evident she felt a part of the TWA community early on.

“I started attending the TWA convention at a young age and enjoyed attending several of the Texas Big Game Awards banquets each year as well,” Biedenharn said. “Even when I was little, I remember how special it felt to be in a room full of other people who valued the land as much as I did. As I got older and spent more time around kids who lived in cities, I quickly realized just how rare my perspective was.”

With an inspiring amount of TWA history in her pocket, you may be wondering how Biedenharn feels about becoming the association’s next president. “Absolutely wild!” she said. “I’m excited to provide my perspective on conservation and natural resources issues facing our members having been personally impacted by TWA and am grateful for the opportunity to give back."

She continued, "I also feel incredibly lucky that I had the opportunity to serve under Tom Vandivier who led with integrity in every decision he made, big or small. His attention to detail and collaborative style were integral to TWA’s success despite unforeseen difficulties like COVID. I’m incredibly thankful for his leadership and mentorship these past couple of years.”

As President she will continue to emphasize the value and importance of engaging the next generation in land stewardship. Prior to her term as President, Biedenharn formed TWA’s first Junior Advisory Board, a small group of young professionals that will be immersed in the rich history and wide breadth of all the aspects of TWA’s mission by attending its events in addition to shadowing committee meetings, Conservation Legacy programs and Youth or Adult Mentored Hunts.

“The program will benefit TWA by developing future leaders and providing a forum for fresh perspectives and ideas,” she said. “My hope is that this program will continue on two-year cycles for many years to come.”

Biedenharn, along with her husband Tucker, resides in San Antonio where she works for a venture capital backed startup in the hotel industry. Family trips to places such as The Driskill in Austin and Hotel Paisano in Marfa began her fascination with hotels and curating memorable experiences for others.

“For me, it’s less about the location and more about the company, the activities and let’s face it—the food!” Biedenharn explained when asked about her favorite weekend getaway. “Early morning hunts followed by Dad’s recently perfected campfire biscuits or finishing up at the cleaning shed and heading in for Mom’s nachos, long conversations on an evening cruise and no cell service—all my favorite weekends have those ingredients.”

The importance of family is a recurring theme with Biedenharn, and we look forward to having her at the helm of TWA for the next two years.