Stewards of the Wild upcoming events

Statewide South Llano River Overnight Trip & Paddle (Friday, May 29, 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join Stewards from across the state for a trip to the South Llano River, on May 29-31, 2026!

The South Llano River is a natural wonder of Texas: its spring-fed, crystal clear water is home to some of Texas’ most beloved species and it provides drinking water to upstream communities like Junction before making its way down to the Highland Lakes. It is also a part of the Texas Paddling Trails Network– though its remote nature means many have never experienced it.

We invite you to join Stewards of the Wild for an overnight trip and paddle to the South Llano River (near Junction). Hosted by the Statewide Conservation Committee's Native Habitats team, you'll have an opportunity to see firsthand the importance of river conservation in Texas and hear from the experts on a full-day river paddle, and learn about the vital role of native plants during a visit to the Native American Seed farm.

Only 15 spots available! Registration is currently open to SOTW members, and may open to non-members if spots remain.

Agenda:

Friday, May 29: Arrive by 5 p.m. for a welcome dinner at the lodging location (Legacy Ranch at Lazy H).
Saturday, May 30: Paddle a 7-mile stretch of the South Llano River that has been designated as the Coke Stevenson Scenic Waterway and hear from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Llano River Watershed Alliance, and other experts about efforts to study and protect this pristine waterway. This will be a full day paddle.
Sunday, May 31: Visit the Native American Seed Farm to learn about the land-water nexus and the vital role native plants serve in keeping our waterways pristine before departing at 11 a.m.

What's Provided:

Lodging (2 nights, indoor lodging at Lazy H), meals except Saturday dinner (we will go into town), and kayaks will be provided.

We encourage anyone to sign up that:

Wants to experience one of the state’s most iconic waterways
Is curious about river conservation, riparian habitats, and the land-water nexus
Is excited to participate in a full day 7-mile paddle trip (Note: the South Llano is a gentle river, but we recommend that folks have a basic understanding of kayaking before going on this trip)

Packing List:

Water shoes (or a pair of sneakers you don’t mind getting wet) for kayaking - we recommend hard soles
Refillable water bottle(s)
Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothing for sun protection; dry bag for your phone, keys, valuables, your own snacks

Please note that the weather is unpredictable. The rain-out date for this event is June 12-14.

Cancellation Policy: Cancel 4 weeks in advance of event, receive a full refund. Cancel 2-4 weeks in advance of event, receive 50% refund. Cancel less than 2 weeks in advance of event, receive no refund.

BCS SOTW | Bat Walk (Sunday, May 31, 2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Join BCS Stewards and Dr. Amanda Adams at 8:00pm at Lick Creek Park for a Bat Walk! We will be discussing bat habitats, conservation efforts, and more. Dr. Adams is the Director of Research Coordination for Bat Conservation International. She runs BCI’s Student Research Scholarship Program and is passionate about developing capacity for bat conservation. Amanda specializes in bioacoustics and has broad research experience, particularly in behavioral and sensory ecology, and is adjunct faculty in the Department of Biology at Texas A&M University.

Statewide 5th Annual Matagorda Fishing Tournament (Saturday, June 06, 2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Join us for the Statewide 5th Annual Matagorda Fishing Tournament on June 6 for a day of fun, competition, and conservation on the water!

First prize is a full day tarpon fishing trip for three out of Matagorda with Captain Caleb Rush generously donated by our friends at Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Texas!

Registration fees will increase to $825 (guided) and $375 (bring your own boat) on May 6.

We're chartering inshore guide boats to target redfish and trout for the tournament. Each guide boat will fit a team of 3 fishermen. Those who wish to use their own boat and fish without a guide can do so as well. Tickets cover your guide boat, bait, and post-tournament festivities.

The winning boat will be the team with the heaviest combined stringer of two (2) redfish and two (2) trout. Awards will also be given to the team who catches the redfish with the most spots. Finally, we will give a separate prize to one “Team Entry – No Guide” team who turns in the heaviest combined stringer of two (2) redfish and two (2) trout.

First prize tarpon trip MUST be taken between June and September 2026. Trip EXPIRES Sept 30, 2026. All tackle will be provided. Need to bring your own food and drinks.

Want to guide yourself, but don't own a boat? You're in luck! Our friends at Ranch Water Rentals offer easy boat rentals. Check them out at www.ranchwaterrentals.com.

Don't have a team, but want to participate? Email us at sotw@stewardsofthewild.org.

Schedule of Events:

Friday evening: Informal happy hour at a TBA local spot in Matagorda.

Saturday morning: Fishing tournament from sunrise to 1 p.m.

Saturday afternoon: Post-tournament festivities including food, drink, and awards at Wayne's Bait Camp.

Tournament Rules:

1. All participants must be current members of SOTW.

2. All participants must have a valid Texas fishing license (saltwater).

2. Fishing guides may not enter fish they catch, only fish caught by SOTW members can be entered. If fishing with a guide provided by SOTW, you must meet the guide at the Matagorda Harbor by 6:30 a.m. CST on June 28. If you are not at the Matagorda Harbor by 6:30 a.m. CST and have not made the guide aware you will be late, the guide will be free to leave without you.

3. Maximum of three SOTW members per boat.

4. All fish must be weighed or in line to be weighed at Wayne's Bait Camp by 1:30 p.m. CST on June 6, 2026.

5. Only fish caught on June 6, 2026 between sunrise (6:29 a.m. CDT) and 1 p.m. CDT may be entered.

6. Boats must depart from the Matagorda Harbor.

7. Anglers may only fish Texas state waters.

8. Methods of capture are limited to all types of rod and reel fishing.

9. Any legal bait can be used.

10. All types of vessels and wading is allowed.

11. Any tournament participant not following TPWD rules and regulations will be disqualified.

12. The winning boat of the team competition will be determined by the total weight of two (2) redfish within the Texas slot and two (2) trout within the Texas slot.

13. The weighmaster will have final say on the eligibility of any fish brought in to weigh.

14. No pale, gilled, gutted, or mutilated fish will be weighted, a trimmed tail is considered mutilation.

15. In the event of a tie of weight:

1. The first tie breaker will be total length of all four (4) fish according to TPWD standards

2. The second tie breaker will be which team turned in their fish first

Refund Policy:

Cancel more than 30 days in advace of the event and receive a full refund. Cancel 3-4 weeks in advance of the event and receive a 50% refund. Cancel 1-2 weeks of the event and receive no refund.

Lodging:

You are responsible for booking your own lodging, however we have worked with our friends at LCRA Parks to reserve a block of bungalows and airstreams at the Matagorda Bay Nature Park right on the water!

1 night minimum
Bungalows at discounted rate of $250/night (sleeps up to 6 or 8 people)
Airstreams at discounted rate of $150/night (sleeps up to 4 people)
Some options are pet-friendly
Same rates apply if you would like to extend your stay or come in early!
Reservations include kayaks

Contact the park directly to book your stay: 979-863-2603. Mention the June 6 Stewards of the Wild group booking.

Held sites for this event will be released on May 6, 2026.

San Antonio Chapter | Texas Hill Country Game Fair -Game Changer Grand Tasting Event (Friday, June 12, 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The Texas Hill Country Game Fair (San Antonio Rodeo Wildlife Committee) has partnered with the Stewards of the Wild San Antonio Chapter to offer our members access to an incredible Game Changer event on Friday, June 12 at 6pm— a $200+ value, completely free for qualifying members.

This exclusive evening includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live music, and a live auction featuring sporting merchandise, hunting trips, guns, and more.

Not a member? First join the Stewards of the Wild San Antonio Chapter, then come back to this link and register for the event. You will receive one free ticket once your membership is confirmed.

Become a Member Here!

Friday Evening Details:

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Exhibitor Village (All are welcome to hang with us at our booth, bring a chair!)
6:00 pm Game Changer Grand Tasting event, including a live auction and music by the JR Herrera Band

Saturday:

All ticket holders are welcome to come back for Saturday Game Fair events!

You are also more than welcome to come hang at our booth at the Exhibitors Village from 9am-5pm. We will be making and selling Wild Game Pizza slices and selling raffle tickets for a Turtle Box Ranger Speaker... more info to come!

**If anyone is interested in helping us with grunt work or manning the booth on Saturday, send us a DM on Instagram, email us or send us a chat in the GroupMe!

More Info on the Texas Hill Country Game Fair and the San Antonio Rodeo Wildlife Committee

Virtual Lunch & Learn with Trey McClinton, TPWD Justin Hurst WMA Biologist (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join us for a virtual Lunch & Learn on June 17, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. with Trey McClinton, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department! This opportunity is open to members and non-members.

Photo courtesy of TPWD

Trey is the Wildlife Biologist at the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area. His work and research have focused on waterfowl, migratory patterns, and potential impacts on migration. Day-to-day, Trey oversees the upkeep and operations of the WMA while directing habitat management across the property. One of the primary goals of the Justin Hurst WMA is "to develop and manage habitats for indigenous and migratory wildlife species with a special emphasis on waterfowl."

Join us on June 17 to hear about Trey's work on waterfowl and the Justin Hurst WMA.

Photo courtesy of TPWD

Justin Hurst Wildlife Management Area:

The Justin Hurst WMA is located west of Freeport near Jones Creek in Brazoria County. The Area has 10,311 acres which were purchased using waterfowl stamp funds from 1985 to 1987. In 1988, an additional 1,627 acres were acquired as mitigation from the Brazos River Harbor District. Justin Hurst WMA is a part of the Central Coast Wetlands Ecosystem Project (CCWEP). The CCWEP's mission is to provide for sound biological conservation of all wildlife resources within the central coast of Texas for the public's common benefit.

Watch Duck Hunting in Wild Wetlands to learn more about waterfowl hunting at Justin Hurst WMA.

After you RSVP, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom Link for the meeting.

Dallas Chapter Summer Lunch Series - The Rustic (Friday, June 26, 2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:45:00 GMT

BCS SOTW | Personal Herbarium and Wall Art Workshop (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join us for an in-person workshop series celebrating the beauty and preservation of pressed plants. Participants will learn how to start a personal herbarium and transform pressed native plants into meaningful wall art.

Together, we will explore techniques for collecting, pressing, and preserving native plants from the park. This presentation will be led by Dr. Gitta Pat, a native plant enthusiast, urban and community planner, and founder of the research consulting small business Timesel27 LLC.

RSVP is required as space is limited.

Workshop Dates: July 14, July 21, August 4

Dallas Chapter Wild Game Dinner @ Dallas Gun Club (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Join Stewards of the Wild Dallas for an exclusive wild game and wine pairing night at the Dallas Gun Club!

Stewards of the Wild Dallas Chapter is excited to host our Wild Game and Wine Pairing Dinner. This event is for Dallas Chapter members and their guests!

Mix and mingle with other outdoor enthusiasts during happy hour starting at 5:30 while guests enjoy carefully selected Texas wines paired delightfully with summer-inspired wild game hors d'oeuvres. A plated dinner will begin at 6:30 featuring wild game prepared by Chef Luca Banfi.

Tickets to the event include:

o Access to the historic, private member's only Dallas Gun Club

o Chef Luca Banfi's hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert

o Sommelier selected wine pairing and signature cocktails

The event is hosted at Dallas Gun Club, a private sporting club in North Texas. https://www.dallasgunclub.com/.

San Antonio Chapter | Colorado - Upper Huerfano & Lily Lake Backpacking Adventure (Friday, July 17, 2026)

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join the San Antonio chapter of Stewards of the Wild for an unforgettable backpacking adventure in the stunning Upper Huerfano and Lily Lake area of Colorado. This opportunity is open to all current SOTW members!

This is a loosely guided, community-style trip designed for adventurous individuals who enjoy the outdoors, self-sufficiency, and exploring at their own pace. We’ll backpack into camp together, establish a shared basecamp, and then participants can choose their own adventure for the remainder of the trip.

Optional Activities Include:

Fly fishing alpine streams and lakes for native cutthroat trout
Hiking nearby trails and exploring the basin
Attempting a nearby 14er summit

Whether you want a laid-back weekend in the mountains or a bigger physical challenge, there’s something for everyone.

Important Details

Participants are responsible for providing their own backpacking gear, meals, water filtration, and transportation to the trailhead.
This is not a fully guided outfitted trip.
A limited amount of loaner gear is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rental gear options are also available for those new to backpacking.

Recommended Experience Level

Moderate. Participants should be comfortable hiking with a loaded backpack at high elevation and camping in backcountry conditions. Experience is not necessary, but participants should ensure they are physically capable and prepared to complete the approximate 3.5 mile hike, with 1800’ ft of elevation gain, to camp.

What to Expect

High alpine terrain
Variable mountain weather
Cold nights
Incredible scenery and wildlife
A welcoming community of outdoors-minded people

Trip Itinerary

June 17 — Optional Info Session & Social Hour
Meet the group, go over the route, discuss gear, food planning, and backpacking basics, and ask any questions before the trip.

July 16 — Optional Dinner & Gear Check, La Veta, Co.
Participants are invited to meet in the charming town of La Veta for dinner, a final gear check, and trip logistics discussion before heading into the backcountry. We recommend staying at the historic La Veta Inn.

July 17 — Backpacking Trip Begins
Meet around 9:00 AM near the trailhead to depart into the Upper Huerfano/Lily Lake area. After establishing camp, participants can choose from optional activities including fly fishing, hiking, nature exploration, or relaxing at camp.

July 18 — Full Backcountry Day
Enjoy a full day exploring the alpine basin, connecting with fellow Stewards members, and participating in optional outdoor activities.

July 19 — Hike Out & Trip Ends
Break camp in the morning and hike out together. The trip is expected to conclude around midday, leaving you plenty of time to travel to your next destination.

Come unplug, challenge yourself, and experience one of the most beautiful mountain areas in southern Colorado with us.

Interested but still have some questions? Feel free to contact your trip host, Whitney Bescheinen at w.fordfit@gmail.com.

Dallas Chapter Summer Lunch Series - Pecan Lodge (Friday, July 24, 2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:45:00 GMT

Annual All Stewards Dove Hunt (Friday, September 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join Stewards of the Wild for the 13th Annual All-Stewards Dove Hunt on Sept. 11-12!

Presented by

The Annual All-Stewards Dove Hunt is Stewards of the Wild's signature outdoor experience and the largest and most popular annual event. The two-day program includes: two hunts, opportunities to learn from conservation professionals, fellowship with other outdoorsmen and women, two meals (including a gourmet dinner by acclaimed chef Jesse Griffiths), lodging, live music, sporting clays, and a festive atmosphere round out the experience.

The All-Stewards Dove Hunt helps ensure TPWF can continue to deliver impactful, year-round conservation leadership programming to members across Texas. Watch this short video from a recent All-Stewards Dove Hunt to see how it’s unlike any other hunt in Texas.

Tickets will go on sale this summer. Stay tuned!

Dallas Chapter Family Dove Hunt (Saturday, September 19, 2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Statewide South Texas Weekend (Thursday, October 15, 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Join Stewards from across the state for a trip to South Texas on October-15-18, 2026!

This trip will feature a tour of the famous King Ranch, a tour of Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries in Corpus, and a tour of Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute's facilities in Kingsville. This will be a one-of-a-kind weekend. Registration will open this summer. Stay tuned!