“With 95% of Texas being privately owned, the Texas Wildlife Association emphasizes the critical role of landowners in stewardship,” said Kassi Scheffer-Geeslin, director of youth education for the organization. “Our mission is serving wildlife and its habitat, while protecting private lands.”
The specifics
According to Scheffer-Geeslin, private landowners play an important role as stewards of natural resources in Texas. Through education, land owners across the state volunteer their properties to teach youth and adults about natural resources, wildlife and ethical hunting.
Each year, the TWA hosts youth hunts across the state to learn about ethical hunting practices and a variety of species. This year, the TWA has hosted nearly 250 youth hunts, according to Scheffer-Geeslin. The program also hosts adult hunts which focus on conservation hunting and sustainable eating.
The TWA offers more than 10 statewide programs of teacher workshops with indoor and outdoor activities for grades K-8. Lessons such as discovery trunks provide hands-on lessons about natural resources and animals.
“Teachers can watch their students learn about different ecosystems and integrate as much as they can into their science lessons. We hope we can teach them about great things nature has to offer,” Scheffer-Geeslin said.
Learn more
Through adult education, the TWA hosts a number of conventions and programs covering information on land management, agricultural practices, operating ranch equipment and more.
The TWA also partners with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to host the Texas Big Game Awards, which recognizes the achievement of young and first-time hunters.
According to its website, the TBGA gives away nine scholarships to high school seniors or college freshman, sophomores and juniors who major in agriculture or a natural resource-related major.
- 6644 FM 1102, New Braunfels
- www.texas-wildlife.org
