When the Stewards of the Wild (SOTW) Statewide Conservation Committee (SCC) gathered in October at Pam and Will Harte’s Caldwell Ranch near Fort Davis, they came ready to camp, learn, and connect. Over three days, Stewards members from across Texas immersed themselves in the landscapes that define West Texas, from the peaks of Mount Livermore to the rugged canyons of Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
The Statewide Conservation Committee (SCC) was created in 2024 with the goal of bringing together members from chapters across Texas to connect, collaborate, and expand their impact through shared experiences in the field, and the Caldwell Ranch weekend was designed to do just that. Guided by TPWF staff and local conservation experts, the group split time between exploration, education, and fellowship. They hiked Mount Livermore, toured Marfa’s Judd Foundation, and visited Elephant Mountain WMA for a hands-on look at the region’s unique ecology. Evenings brought live music and campfire conversation under the big West Texas sky.
For Kim Gibbons, a new Fort Worth Chapter member attending her very first Stewards event, it was love at first sight.
“I kind of started with the Cadillac of all events,” she laughed. “I know I set the bar impossibly high. I’ve always loved West Texas, but seeing one of my favorite places in the world from the perspective of people who care so deeply about preserving it made it even more special.”
Gibbons was struck by how many partners are quietly working to safeguard the region. “You drive through and think no one lives out there,” she said. “But there are so many people working together to protect something great. It makes you feel hopeful and empowered.”
For Nick Fisher of Austin, a longtime Stewards member and conservation professional who helped launch the SCC, the weekend felt like a milestone. “Every time we go out there, I come away reenergized,” he said. “It’s great to be surrounded by people who care so deeply about this work. You realize there’s a lot to be hopeful about.”
At Elephant Mountain WMA, participants heard from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff about habitat restoration and the ongoing battle against invasive aoudad. They learned how disease, drought, and topography shape the fate of desert bighorn sheep and why coordinated management across private and public lands is so important. For many, the scale of the effort was eye-opening.
“I had no idea how much work goes into managing these landscapes,” said Chris Boyd of San Antonio, who recently joined SOTW along with his wife, Danielle. “To see the difference between Caldwell Ranch and Elephant Mountain—the terrain, the rainfall, the challenges—really opened my eyes to what land managers are up against.”
Danielle agreed. “It reminded me how beautiful and fragile West Texas is, and how important it is that we protect it for our future,” she said.
Evenings at Caldwell Ranch offered time to unwind and connect. After a Friday night barbecue and music at the ranch’s cantina bar, Saturday ended with a dessert-and-stargazing party led by park interpreters from nearby Davis Mountains, Balmorhea, and Big Bend Ranch state parks. As telescopes turned skyward, conversations turned to conservation, family, and shared purpose.
“It fired me up to get more involved,” said Chris Boyd. “There are so many younger people who’ve never had the chance to experience the outdoors. Stewards is a great way to give them that opportunity, to share that wonder and that responsibility.”
That message resonated throughout the weekend. The SCC is more than a gathering—it’s a catalyst for statewide collaboration. Members like Fisher, Gibbons, and the Boyds return to their chapters with new energy and insight to strengthen local engagement. “You don’t know something needs protecting until you know it exists,” Fisher said. “Education is the key, and Stewards provides that opportunity.”
For Gibbons, the takeaway was simple but lasting. “Being around people who care about the same things you do makes you feel encouraged,” she said. “Even when the challenges feel big, you realize you’re part of a community that’s actually doing something about it.”
As the group packed up camp on Sunday morning, dawn spilled over the Davis Mountains, painting the sky in gold and rose. It was a fitting close to a weekend that blended adventure with purpose and left everyone inspired to keep Texas wild, one experience at a time.
