TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE: SUPPORTING TPWD AND ITS NON-GAME WILDLIFE PROGRAMS

by David Braun, Plateau CEO, Co-founder

Since its founding, Plateau has been driven by its mission of helping private landowners achieve their wildlife conservation goals. So, it won't come as any surprise that many of our employees are active in a variety of wildlife conservation causes outside of work, too. For the last 6 years, I've been proud to serve as Chairman of the Texas Teaming With Wildlife Coalition.

The Coalition was established to support the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its non-game wildlife programs at the state and federal level. I give my time and money to this effort because I believe that having robust public programs for wildlife conservation is critical to our success in Plateau's private conservation work. Using state and federal funding, TPWD provides an array of research, educational programs and technical support that support conservation efforts by private landowners and consultants like Plateau. TPWD is our critical partner.

In my 6 years with the Coalition, and for that matter the 25 years I've been working in this field, I've never seen such a poor climate for publicly-funded conservation programs. At the federal level, much needed new environmental protection initiatives are off the table and our coalition expects to spend the next few years just trying to protect existing programs from cuts as Congress looks for ways to reduce the federal deficit. At the state level, with revenue shortfalls at a record level, TPWD and other agencies are being asked to cut 7-8% from already tight budgets.

Before the legislative session is over in June, TPWD may lose even more of its ability to assist private landowners. For those of you who want to help with the work of the Coalition, you can become a member by contacting Carolyn Burton at cburton@braunassociateslaw.com or by phone at 512-894-5426. We will also be sending more information in future mailings.

In this economic climate, the work of private landowners becomes more important than ever. No one who cares about the health of our natural world can reasonably expect that the conservation job will be done by our government agencies alone. Clients of Plateau and other landowners like them are the front line and most important players in conserving our wildlife resources for future generations. For everyone who can, now is the time to redouble and expand their personal efforts toward improved land stewardship, habitat creation and wildlife management on their land. Plateau is proud to be a partner to so many who are doing so much and we look forward to helping you as you work to achieve your goals.