About NPAT
Introduction
The Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) is a non-profit membership organization and land trust dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native prairies, savannas, and other grasslands in Texas and throughout the United States.
NPAT protects over 1200 acres of native Texas prairie, including over 100 acres of endangered/threatened tallgrass prairie.
NPAT is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your membership and contributions are fully tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law.
History
NPAT was founded in 1986 by a group of Texans concerned greatly about our disappearing prairie heritage, especially Texas' endangered tallgrass prairies.
More history coming soon!
Board of Directors (2007-2008)
- President: Kunda Wicce (formerly Lee Stone), Austin
- Vice-President: Jim Eidson, Rockwall
- Secretary: Pat Merkord, Conroe
- Treasurer: Jason Spangler, Austin
- David Croft, Austin
- Kirsti Harms, Austin
- David Rosen, Ph. D., Clear Lake
- David Todd, Austin (Magnolia Charitable Trust)
- Matt White, Paris
Advisory Board
- Scientific Advisor: Dr. Fred Smeins, Professor of Ecology, Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management, Texas A&M University.
- Richard Bartlett, Vice Chairman of the Mary Kay Corporation, author of Saving the Best of Texas: A Partnership Approach to Conservation
- David Bezanson, Northeast Texas Program Manager for the Nature Conservancy. Board member and former Executive Director of the Natural Area Preservation Association (NAPA), Northeast Texas Program Manager for the Nature Conservancy.
- Bob Burleson, Attorney at Law. Former Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner, advocate for creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
- Clair Burleson, former Development Director of Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children.
- Mickey Burleson, former Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner, former board chairperson of the Nature Conservancy of Texas.
- B.F. Hicks, Attorney at Law. Family owns Daphne Prairie, one of the largest remaining Blackland Prairie remnants in Texas.
- Johnny Johnson, Northeast Texas Prairie Ambassador for NPAT.
- Bob O'Kennon, Research Associate and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, president of the Texas Land Conservancy.
- Robert Rasmus, former CEO of Masonite, Inc.