On February 22, 2023, Houston Wilderness honored the work of Carter Smith, who has spent decades working on behalf of conservation in Texas, including nearly fifteen years as the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
2023 - Carter Smith
In addition to celebrating Houston Wilderness’ 20th Anniversary, the Luncheon on February 22, 2023 honored the work of Carter Smith for his many years of environmental stewardship and longtime ecological commitments. He has been a HW Board and Advisory Board member for 20 years, and has strengthened private lands stewardship, expanded state parks and wildlife management areas, bolstered conservation, law enforcement, and park funding, and brought a renewed focus on connecting Texans young and old with the state’s natural resources.
2022 - Celebrating Ecoregions
Leading up to Houston Wilderness' 20th year anniversary in 2023, the 2022 Luncheon celebrated the 10 distinct ecoregions in our 15-county area - highlighting the critical roles that they play in making the Gulf-Houston Region an ecological wonderland while also providing much-needed ecosystem services to residents, visitors and wildlife. Over 40 elected officials participated in the interactive program as luncheon attendees took a "Walk Through the Ecoregions" - including multiple county judges, city mayors, council members and other elected leaders from around the region. HW will continue with events through 2022 providing opportunities for multiple organizations.
2021 - Gene Greene and Ted Poe
On Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Houston Wilderness paid tribute to the Honorable Gene Green and the Honorable Ted Poe with the Wild Life Award. Congressman Gene Green worked for over 40 years in the Texas Legislature and Congress, helping the Greater Houston area on a plethora of quality of life enhancements, including support for improved green spaces, more nature-based recreation and cleaner water along the San Jacinto River, Greens Bayou and Buffalo Bayou. A strong advocate of environmental issues, Judge Ted Poe was instrumental in bringing funding to Greater Houston for the implementation of millions of forestation-style native trees along major roads and freeways throughout the TxDOT-Houston District.
2020 - Port of Houston
On February 20, 2020, the Port Houston’s environmental programs received the HW Wild Life Award for the Port's commitment to oyster reef creation and large-scale tree plantings, as well as signing a 10-year contract for 100% renewable electricity.
2019 -
Joe B. Allen
Over his tenure of 45+ years practicing law in Texas, including 37 years representing municipal utility districts (MUDs) and other special districts in the State of Texas, Joe B. Allen has built a legacy of environmental-based laws that are providing new parks, trails and open space throughout the state, and particularly in the Greater Houston Region. Joe B. was instrumental in the passage of regulations allowing MUDs to create parks and open spaces in their communities. For many years, he has also worked behind the scenes on various quality of life issues in counties in and around Greater Houston, providing more opportunities for nature-based infrastructure, large-scale tree plantings and park space.
2018 -
The Quality of Life Coalition
Houston Wilderness is pleased to honor the Quality of Life Coalition Founders - Alan Atkinson, Chuck Carlberg, Mack Fowler, Jodie & Sonny Jiles, Ann Lents, Charles McMahen, Dick Rogers, Max Watson, Dick Weekley, Bill White, and Ed Wulfe - with the Wild Life Award for their lasting legacy of quality of life enhancements in the Greater Houston Region. They have collectively and individually made long lasting impacts on the 10 ecoregions where we live, work and play.
2017 -
Kirksey Family
John Kirksey, Sr. and his family are ardent conservationists, who collectively have made it their mission to protect, preserve and promote our region’s rich ecological diversity, both personally and professionally. John Kirksey, Sr. is a leading force in shaping Houston into one of the “Greenest Cities” in the nation, and his wife, Kyle Kirksey, and their children and their families, Shawn and Bill Jackson and Joanie and John Kirksey, Jr. are all deeply involved in professional and philanthropic endeavors that demonstrate a strong and enduring commitment to enhancing Houston’s quality of life and preserving our natural environment.
2016 -
Henry Hamman
Henry Hamman is a lifelong conservationist with a great appreciation for wildlife conservation and land management. Wearing the hats of an oil and gas man, philanthropist, and rancher, he has contributed greatly in all of these arenas. Especially important to our region, and to the state of Texas, is Henry Hamman’s belief that science-based information should be used to enhance conservation practices for the betterment of land and wildlife.
2015 -
Beth Robertson &
Cullen Geiselman
Beth Robertson and her daughter Cullen Geiselman are dedicated chammpions of the conservation and preservation of the Greater Houston Region’s unique ecological treasures. Togethere, and by example, they are leaders in recognizing the vital importance of nature to our overall quality of life, and have been passionate and active participants in protecting, promoting and preserving the region’s precious green spaces.
