Our View
Today, public awareness is just as important to effective wildlife management as population counts and habitat studies. Community involvement is as essential to conservation as biological and earth sciences.
Through outreach, education and emphasizing science as the basis for decision-making, the Texas Foundation for Conservation supports initiatives that uphold the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and the Public Trust Doctrine. As a Texas based 501(c)(3), the Foundation also understands and respects the integral role of private property owners in managing habitat for wildlife and believes private property rights and science-based management are central tenets to successful conservation programs.
Our core values are rooted deeply in the principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Collectively the underlying principles recognize:
- Fish and Wildlife are a public trust resource.
- Unregulated commercial markets are not sustainable.
- Laws developed by citizens and enforced by government regulate proper use.
- Citizens have the freedom to view, hunt, and fish regardless of economic status.
- Game and fish cannot be harvested except for legitimate purposes as defined by law.
- Some fish and wildlife are international resources.
- Good science is the proper basis for sustaining fish and wildlife populations.
The Public Trust Doctrine is essential to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation because it establishes a trustee relationship obligating government to hold and manage fish and wildlife for the benefit of the public. Fish and wildlife resources are deemed universally important in the lives of people, and Texans should have an opportunity to enjoy these resources.
In addition to these common principles, we believe private property rights are paramount to the success of wildlife conservation. Private stewardship of public resources in Texas has resulted in some great conservation success stories.
J.P. Bryan, Houston
Mary McDermott Cook, Dallas
Jimmie Ruth Evans, San Antonio
Mark W. Ray, Corpus Christi
C. Berdon Lawrence, Houston
Tim Leach, Midland
Hon. Margaret Martin, Boerne
Ellen Randall, Houston
Molly McAdams, Seguin
Bob McCan, Victoria
Jon Means, Van Horn
John L. Nau, III, Houston
Diane King Scovell, Dallas
Ryan Seiders, Austin
Dale A. Smith, Amarillo
John B. Zachry, San Antonio
In Memoriam:
Tim Hixon
Henry R. Hamman
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Count on me! I’ll help TFC ensure the fish and wildlife of Texas will always be here for the people of Texas.
The Texas Foundation for Conservation believes that fish and wildlife resources held in the public trust represent the health and wealth of Texas. Texas Foundation for Conservation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Post Office Box 300621
Austin, Texas 78703
John Shepperd, Executive Director
512-710-7243
info@TexasFoundationForConservation.org