Dear Stewards,
Please join me in celebrating Katie Spurgin’s third anniversary this month as engagement manager for Stewards of the Wild (SOTW)!
Many of you may not know that Katie was a Stewards member before she signed on as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) employee, and we are thrilled to share her back story with you in this month’s Stewards profile.
As 2025 shifts into high gear, Katie is off and running, collaborating with all of you to offer you exciting new offerings and opportunities for Stewards across the state.
Spring is just around the corner and with it comes a ton of SOTW opportunities!
Whether you’re camping in the East Texas Piney Woods, fishing the Texas Coast, peeling crawfish in Austin, sampling wild game sausage in San Antonio, or helping clean up our precious waterways in May, we hope you’ll join us and learn more about why we should and how we can conserve our wild things and wild places.
In this issue: - Check out upcoming spring events
- Learn more about TPWF Engagement Manager Katie Spurgin
- Watch the Statewide Conservation Committee Lunch & Learn
- Enter our Turtlebox giveaway (through March 10) by renewing your membership and/or referring new members
- Read about TPWD's expansion of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
- Learn more about desert bighorn sheep restoration
- Join Garrison Brothers Distillery in supporting TPWF (if we have video in time)
Cheers, Anne Brown |
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Photo of Franklin Mountains State Park by Earl Nottingham |
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Upcoming Stewards of the Wild Events |
Mentored Fishing Trip at Powderhorn | February 28-March 2 The statewide program will hold its annual mentored fishing trip at Powderhorn Feb. 28 to March 2. Thank you, Dagon, for supporting this event! |
Crawfish Boil | Austin | March 1 The Austin Chapter will host its annual crawfish boil at Warren Wildlife Gallery on Saturday, March 1. Enjoy the springtime weather, a heap of crawfish, and live music! Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_austin for details. |
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Garrison Brother's Texas Independence Day Event | March 1
Do you have plans this Texas Independence Day weekend? If not, join us at the Garrison Brothers distillery in Hye on Saturday, March 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a celebration of all things Texas in support of TPWF and the conservation of our wild things and wild places. This free, open to the public event will consist of line dancing, custom cowboy hat fittings, a hay-less hayride distillery tour, live music, and 11 unique Balmorhea Cask Strength Single Barrels only available at this event! Proceeds will benefit TPWF. |
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Fatties on the Fly Night @ Orvis | Fort Worth | March 6
Join the Fatties on the Fly and Fatties Guide Co. crew at Orvis Fort Worth on March 6 from 6-8 p.m. for a night of food, drinks, and all things fly fishing. You’ll get the inside scoop on local fishing conditions with real-time local fishing reports and an in-depth look at some of our favorite guide waters, including the Brazos River and Devils River Adventures. This is your chance to learn more about these amazing waters, ask questions, and meet fellow anglers who share your passion for the sport. You'll also have the chance to enter for a free guided fishing trip!
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Quail Hunt | Houston | March 9
The Houston Chapter will host a quail hunt Sunday, March 9. They will be hunting with professional guides and dogs at the esteemed Walton Ranch in Millican, just southeast of College Station. This is a great opportunity for premiere Texas quail hunting for hunters of all experience and skill levels! Use the link below for more details and to register! |
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Apply to Volunteer with Texas Brigades | Statewide | March 15
Texas Brigades is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing young conservation leaders in communities across Texas. Known for its immersive 5-day leadership and wildlife-focused summer camps (ages 13-17), Texas Brigades hosts nine camps each year, each focusing on a unique species or topic, including bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer, livestock production, inland fisheries, coastal fisheries, and waterfowl. Adult Leader roles are vital to the success of these camps and are highly valued by both young conservationists and experienced educators and field professionals. Adults interested in volunteering can apply through the “Adult Leader Application” form. The application deadline is March 15, with camp selections announced by April 15. For more information about the camps and the application process, visit: www.texasbrigades.org/applications.
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Native Floral Design Class | BCS | March 27 Join BCS Chapter at Carney's Pub Thursday, March 27 from 6-7 p.m. to learn about floral design with native Texas plants! Registration is required for those who plan on participating, all others may attend and watch the demonstration for free! Use the link below for more details and to register! |
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Camping Trip | BCS | April 4-6 Join the BCS Chapter for a weekend getaway to the East Texas Piney Woods April 4-6. The camping trip will be held at Huntsville State Park for a weekend of hiking, relaxing at the lake, and enjoying fabulous meals. |
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Sporting Clays Tournament | Houston | April 6 The Houston Chapter will host its annual Sporting Clays Tournament at the American Shooting Centers on Sunday, April 6. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_houston for more info. |
Sausage Showdown | San Antonio | April 6 Save the new date for the 7th Annual San Antonio Chapter Sausage Showdown on April 6. This event will be held at Beethoven Männerchor and feature a wild game sausage competition among Texas game processors, a raffle, cold drinks, and live music. Proceeds from this event will benefit City Kids Adventures. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_sanantonio for more details. |
Little Brazos River Cleanup | BCS | May 3 On Saturday, May 3, the BCS Chapter will participate in a river cleanup as part of the Trash Free Gulf initiative! Members will meet where the Little Brazos River flows under HWY 21. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_BCS for more details. |
Fly Fishing Clinic | Houston | May 13 On Tuesday, May 13, the Houston Chapter will host a Fly Fishing Clinic at Bayou City Angler! Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_houston for details. |
Lady Bird Lake Cleanup | Austin | May 17 Austin Stewards will partner with Colorado River Alliance (CRA) for a Lady Bird Lake Cleanup as part of the Trash Free Gulf initiative during the month of May. Stewards will participate in a paddle board cleanup at Mozart's Coffee Roasters. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_austin for more details. |
Introduction to River Kayaking | BCS | May 17 Combat Kayak will lead the BCS Chapter in an Introduction to Kayaking Course on the San Marcos River on May 17. Learn river terminology, safety, rescues, strokes, catching eddies, peeling out, ferrying, and more! |
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"Bring Your Tackle Box" Happy Hour | Houston | June 10 Houston will host an interactive "Bring Your Tackle Box" Happy Hour at Pinkerton's BBQ on Tuesday, June 10! Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewild_houston for details. |
Matagorda Fishing Tournament | Statewide | June 28 Save the date for our statewide Matagorda Fishing Tournament, hosted by the Houston Chapter but open to all SOTW members! This awesome event will take place on Saturday, June 28. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewildtx for more details! |
Annual All-Stewards Dove Hunt | September 5-6 Save the date for the Annual All-Stewards Dove Hunt on Sept. 5-6 in Albany. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewildtx for details later this year! |
Statewide Conservation Committee West Texas Trip | October 10-12 The SOTW Statewide Conservation Committee (SCC) is headed back to the Caldwell Ranch in far West Texas on Oct. 10-12. This trip is open to committee members as well as SOTW members. Stay tuned to @stewardsofthewildtx - details on this incredible adventure will be released soon! |
BBQ Happy Hour | Houston | Every Second Tuesday Join the Houston Chapter for a happy hour on the second Tuesday of every month at Pinkerton's BBQ at 6:30 p.m. Meet fellow Stewards of the Wild members, hear updates from the Houston leadership, and enjoy some great BBQ. |
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Stewards of the Wild Highlights & News |
Meet TPWF Engagement Manager Katie Spurgin
Katie Spurgin never imagined she’d make a career out of her love for the outdoors. Growing up in Texas, she spent weekends fishing with her dad, camping with her family, and later, hunting on leases across the state. Yet, despite her outdoor adventures, she didn’t see conservation as a career path—until a few years ago.
Now, as Engagement Manager for TPWF, Katie leads the Stewards of the Wild program, equipping her peers with experiential, educational opportunities while inspiring them to become future conservation leaders. Her journey, much like the program she now manages, has been shaped by a deep appreciation for nature, a winding career path, and a desire to connect more people with Texas’ wild places. |
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From the moment she could walk, Katie was out with her dad on North Texas lakes, chasing bass and soaking up outdoor adventures. But it wasn’t just fishing—Katie’s upbringing was an immersion course in all things nature. “One of my favorite memories is sitting with my brother while we were camping, watching hummingbirds feed for what felt like hours,” she recalls.
Her introduction to hunting came later. At nine, she shot her first deer on a friend’s farm in Fredericksburg, bundled up in layers against the winter cold. “I kept thinking I saw deer everywhere because I was so excited,” she laughs. When a real deer appeared, she made her shot count, marking the beginning of a lifelong connection to wildlife conservation.
Still, she never saw the outdoors as a career path. Instead, she pursued a degree in communications and public relations at the University of North Texas, imagining a future in journalism or photography. After graduation, she worked in PR, freelanced as a photographer, and spent several years as a high school journalism teacher. It was rewarding but stressful. Something was missing. |
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Did you miss the SOTW Statewide Conservation Committee Lunch & Learn?
On Tuesday, February 11, the SOTW SCC held its first Lunch & Learn featuring Texas Foundation for Conservation experts John Shepperd and David Yeates. John and David provided information on the workings of the Texas legislature, the current legislative session, and the impacts that it might have on conservation in Texas. Click below to watch the recorded Lunch & Learn! |
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Want to Win a Turtlebox Bluetooth Speaker? |
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation Updates |
TPWD Doubles Enchanted Rock State Natural Area with Expansion
There will be more land to love at one of Texas’ favorite state parks, thanks to the recent purchase of a 3,073-acre property adjacent to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (SNA) in Llano County. The purchase will double the size of the existing park, which encompasses the Texas Hill Country’s most enchanting natural landmark.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) purchased the property utilizing a combination of a one-time funding appropriation and funds from the sporting goods sales tax. The newly added land will be developed through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion fund overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing new state parks.
“Texas is home to 88 state parks that showcase our great state’s natural beauty to Texans and visitors from all over the globe,” said Governor Abbott. “The expansion of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will allow tourists from across the state and around the world to enjoy even more of the majesty of Texas. Together, we will continue to ensure that what makes Texas unique and beautiful is preserved for generations." |
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) is proud to have played a role in the acquisition. “We can always depend on TPWF to provide a helping hand to get this and so many other vital projects across the finish line,” said TPWD Chief of Land & Conservation Initiatives Zach Spector. “We’re thrilled to be expanding such an iconic and cherished park for the citizens of Texas."
Previously, the privately owned property was primarily used for hunting. Now it will extend the footprint of Enchanted Rock and expand opportunities for all Texans to access and enjoy more outdoor adventures and recreation. The property also features its own unique rock formation that will provide visitors with an entirely new scenic vantage point of the iconic pink granite dome the park is named for. The acquisition will combat light pollution by conserving the park’s dark skies and viewshed in a rapidly developing area of the state.
TPWD’s next steps will be to develop a plan with input from the public to determine recreational opportunities for the property, and they will communicate upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, as details emerge.
The purchase of this property is just one of several large land acquisitions TPWD has made in as many months in an effort to expand its park portfolio and provide public access to Texas’ natural spaces in more corners of the state. Soon after the ink dried on the Enchanted Rock purchase, TPWD announced in late January the purchase of 2,020 acres near Colorado Bend State Park.
Thanks to the support of countless Texans who voted in favor of the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, TPWD stands at the cusp of an exciting new era for Texas State Parks. |
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A New Generation Born of Bighorns Last December, Texans witnessed a truly standout moment for our Texas wild as stakeholders convened at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area to give desert bighorn sheep a fighting chance at reversing a roughly 50 percent decline in population since 2021. The primary cause for the current decline is pneumonia, caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, (M. ovi), which bighorns are highly susceptible to.
Nearly 80 bighorns were translocated from Elephant Mountain WMA to Franklin Mountains State Park. With the herd deemed free of disease and no aoudads in sight (often carriers of M. ovi), the Franklin Mountains provide a promising new horizon for the iconic Texas native. |
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And in grand Texas fashion, the herd’s very first new lamb made its debut last week—a true Valentine’s gift to warm the hearts of all Texans. The sight of bighorns in bloom has us counting sheep and our wild blessings that we are able to witness bighorn history in the making.
Learn how TPWF and a coalition of invested Texans are working to bring back bighorns.
Click below to watch the Bighorn Sheep restoration project in action! |
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What else has TPWF been up to?
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Want more? Check out these interesting articles and resources:
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Thank you to our statewide program sponsor! |
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The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is the leading wildlife research organization in Texas and one of the finest in the nation. Its mission is to provide science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of wildlife in South Texas and related environments.
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Stewards of the Wild, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s conservation leadership program, equips emerging leaders aged 21 to 45 with opportunities to actively participate in the stewardship of Texas’ wild things and wild places by providing education, networking, and outdoor experiences.
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Copyright © 2025 Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation 6220 Gaston Ave. #700 Dallas, Texas 75214 |
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