Texas's Green Guardians: Six Projects Chosen to Lead Conservation Efforts

AUSTIN, TX – April 01, 2026 – Texan by Nature (TxN), the conservation non-profit founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, has announced its 2026 Conservation Wranglers, spotlighting six innovative projects poised to make a significant impact on the state's environment and economy. This prestigious selection places these initiatives in an elite accelerator program designed to catalyze their efforts through tailored support, strategic partnerships, and a focus on measurable results.

The Conservation Wrangler program identifies the most promising Texan-led, science-based conservation projects and provides them with 12 to 18 months of intensive support. This includes everything from strategic planning and marketing to partnership development and metrics analysis, all aimed at accelerating their positive impact on Texas’s people, prosperity, and natural resources.

“Congratulations to our 2026 Conservation Wranglers!” said Mrs. Bush in a statement. “I am inspired by this year’s innovative conservation projects. These groups are setting a fine example for all Texans, showing us the importance of supporting the people, prosperity, and natural resources we have in our beautiful state.”

A New Cohort of Conservation Innovators

The 2026 class represents a microcosm of the diverse ecological challenges and opportunities facing Texas. The selected projects span the state, from the arid landscapes of West Texas to the bustling urban cores of Dallas and the vital coastal plains, showcasing a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship.

The six new Conservation Wranglers are:

• Alamito Creek Conservation Initiative: A partnership led by the Borderlands Research Institute, this project focuses on restoring critical riparian habitat in the Chihuahuan Desert. By using low-tech methods like brush weirs to slow water runoff, the initiative aims to improve water infiltration and create more resilient rangelands for wildlife and local communities in Presidio County.

• American Farmland Trust - Texas Grazing Network: This rancher-led peer-to-peer network promotes regenerative grazing practices. By connecting experienced mentors with other ranchers, the program fosters adaptive pasture management techniques that enhance soil health, increase carbon sequestration, and improve the economic viability of ranching operations across Texas.

• Audubon Texas - Bird City Texas: In partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, this program certifies cities that actively work to protect bird populations. It encourages actions like restoring native habitats, reducing light pollution, and engaging the public, reinforcing the idea that bird-friendly communities are prosperous communities.

• Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program - Incorporating Waterbirds into the Culture of Coastal Conservation Initiative: Building on 15 years of managing waterbird rookery islands, this initiative is launching a public education campaign to reduce human disturbance near sensitive nesting sites for species like pelicans and spoonbills, a major threat to their survival.

• Friends of Bachman Lake - Greenbelt Conservation and Restoration Project: This ambitious urban project in Northwest Dallas is restoring a 58-acre greenbelt along Bachman Creek. By removing invasive species and planting native flora, the initiative is improving water quality, enhancing flood resilience, and creating vital greenspace for historically underinvested neighborhoods.

• Friends of Warren Ferris Cemetery - Constellation of Living Memorials Program: This unique program reimagines neglected historic cemeteries as vibrant community assets. It transforms these overlooked lands into wildlife sanctuaries, outdoor classrooms, and public gathering spaces, preserving their sacred history while providing new ecological and social benefits.

Measuring the Return on Conservation

At the heart of Texan by Nature’s philosophy is the concept of Return on Conservation™ (RoC), a framework that quantifies the benefits of environmental work not just for nature, but for people and prosperity as well. The Conservation Wrangler program is a direct application of this principle, selecting projects that demonstrate a clear, positive return and helping them to amplify it.

“This year’s Conservation Wrangler applications highlighted the extraordinary range of conservation leadership across Texas,” said Joni Carswell, President and CEO of TxN. “The selected Conservation Wranglers are driving solutions to global conservation challenges like water scarcity, biodiversity loss, soil health, and urban growth, and building replicable blueprints that go far beyond Texas’ borders.”

The organization’s data-driven approach is compelling. Past Conservation Wranglers have collectively restored or managed over 266,000 acres of habitat, impacted more than 7 million people through outreach, and generated an estimated $174 million in ecosystem service benefits. By providing support in metrics capture and analysis, TxN helps projects translate their on-the-ground work into a powerful business case for investing in nature.

From Desert Creeks to Urban Greenbelts

The 2026 cohort powerfully illustrates that conservation is not confined to remote wilderness. The projects bridge the urban-rural divide, tackling environmental issues where they manifest, whether in the vast rangelands of West Texas or a forgotten cemetery in a dense urban neighborhood. The Texas Grazing Network supports the agricultural backbone of the state's economy, while the Friends of Bachman Lake project directly addresses environmental justice by expanding access to high-quality greenspace in Dallas.

This integrated approach recognizes that Texas's ecosystems are interconnected. The health of the Trinity River Basin is tied to urban restoration projects like the one at Bachman Lake. The viability of ranching is linked to soil health and water availability, which the Texas Grazing Network and Alamito Creek initiative directly address. By supporting projects across this spectrum, Texan by Nature fosters a holistic vision for a resilient state where both urban and rural communities thrive alongside healthy ecosystems.

The Accelerator Effect: A Blueprint for Success

Selection as a Conservation Wrangler is more than an award; it is the beginning of an intensive partnership. The tailored support provided by Texan by Nature acts as a powerful accelerator, helping promising initiatives scale their operations and achieve long-term sustainability. This model has proven highly effective for past participants.

“Through its comprehensive, ‘look-at-every-angle’ support, the Conservation Wrangler program has strengthened our conservation efforts since day 1,” said Stephanie Tierce of Sink Your Shucks, a 2025 Conservation Wrangler focused on oyster reef restoration. “It’s accelerated our progress today and positioned us for lasting success.”

This year’s class will receive the same dedicated support, culminating in their recognition at the annual Conservation Summit at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas on October 27, 2026. There, they will have the opportunity to share their strategies with business and conservation leaders, further amplifying their influence and fostering the collaborations that are essential for building a more sustainable and prosperous Texas.