Description of Individual or organization
The mission of the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is “to preserve, protect, and conserve in perpetuity the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge." The FWNC&R is a 3,621-acre natural area and environmental education center owned and operated by the city of Fort Worth’s Park and Recreation Department. The Friends provide more than $100,000 worth of financial and in-kind support to supplement and expand the FWNC&R’s city budget through fundraising, membership, marketing, and active volunteerism.
Leadership (Nominee demonstrates leadership through example, knowledge, attitude)
The Friends are leaders within the conservation community through their support of environmental education and wise resource management. In particular, the Friends provide 100 percent of the financial support for the FWNC&R to employ three student interns and a full-time volunteer intern who desire to gain experience in natural resource management and interpretation. By providing the financial means to enable four students to further their education while developing hands-on skills in the natural resource profession, the Friends provide an opportunity unlike any other in the DFW area. In addition, the Friends provide opportunities for other conservation non-profits to grow through collaborative activities. These organizations include the Teaming With Wildlife: True To Texas statewide coalition, Crosstimbers Connection, the DFW Herpetological Society, Friends of Tandy Hills Natural Area, and the Crosstimbers Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists, am ong others.
Environmental Impact (Nominee demonstrates a positive impact on the local environment via policy change, product offering, significant volunteer contribution or other achievement)
The Friends’ activities and support, while primarily impacting the FWNC&R, actually impact the entire North Central Texas region. Beyond the relationships with other organizations listed above, Friends’ support enables FWNC&R staff to provide services beyond the bounds of the Refuge. In particular, FWNC&R staff have been able to work collaboratively with BRIT, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the City of Fort Worth’s Stormwater Division to begin managing stormwater properties within the city using native vegetation which reduces the use of water and chemicals, and reduces the amount of maintenance required resulting in a reduction in fossil fuel use, air pollution, etc. In addition, the acquisition of specialized haying equipment using Friends’ funding has enabled FWNC&R staff to utilize innovative haying techniques in area parks to delineate development areas while producing native “seed hay” which is later reintroduced into the developed areas as water conserving mulch which also encourages native plant reestablishment.
Community Impact (Nominee demonstrates commitment to DFW green community through involvement with causes, business ventures or organizations)
All of the areas of support described above are illustrative of the Friends’ support of efforts to encourage and support the DFW green community.
Other reasons for your nomination
The FWNC&R is the preeminent nature destination in the region. While the area’s largest and most diverse natural area, longest trail system, only bison herd and leading environmental education program could continue to exist solely upon the budget provided by the city of Fort Worth, it is the support of the Friends that enables the FWNC&R to achieve its mission of “to enhance the quality of life by enrolling and educating our community in the protection and preservation of natural areas while standing as an example of these same principles and values in North Central Texas.”