Huffman Named Director of The Nature Conservancy of Texas

Press release from The Nature Conservancy of Texas:

 

Laura J. Huffman Named Director of The Nature Conservancy of Texas

Will assume new leadership role following almost two decades

of public service to Texans

 

AUSTIN – Laura J. Huffman will lead The Nature Conservancy of Texas as the organization’s new state director. She will assume the position on June 9.

Ms. Huffman, currently an assistant city manager for the City of Austin, brings broad and multifaceted experience to the organization following an impressive public service career emphasizing the protection of natural water sources and the environment for the communities where she has worked.

She comes into her new leadership role at a critical juncture in the state’s history, as growing pressures on natural resources present ever-greater environmental conservation challenges for Texas, which is losing its undeveloped land at an alarming rate.

          “Laura Huffman’s energy, knowledge and track record of dedication toward improving the lives of Texans by advocating for the environment are critical to the ongoing success of The Nature Conservancy,” said Pete Selig, chair of The Nature Conservancy’s Texas Board of Trustees. “With our state’s tremendous growth, it has never been more urgent to safeguard our important ecosystems and the wildlife they support. Laura has what it takes to bring a higher and more effective level of conservation throughout our great state,” he added.

          “We are thrilled to have Laura lead The Nature Conservancy’s efforts in Texas, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth,” said Rob McKim, Director of Conservation of The Nature Conservancy’s Central U.S. Region. “For more than 40 years The Nature Conservancy has protected some of Texas’ most beautiful, and often most imperiled lands. With Laura at the helm, we will build upon those solid accomplishments to help ensure the integrity of the state’s diverse habitats and the vast array of life they support.”

“I am honored and excited to lead this remarkable organization. The mission is visionary and its fulfillment will make it possible to protect the most ecologically vital and endangered natural treasures of Texas and the world for present and future generations,” said Ms. Huffman. “I know from personal experience that safeguarding these treasures is our service to one another—it reminds us of our history and guarantees our future.”   

“Our natural environment affects every aspect of our lives, from the water and food we consume to the air we breathe. As a child, nature was breathtaking and magical. As an adult, my sense of duty to protect the environment for future generations has been a source of inspiration that now leads me to The Nature Conservancy of Texas,” she added.   

A native Austinite, Ms. Huffman’s accomplishments include spearheading important watershed protection and neighborhood and economic development initiatives for the cities of Austin and also San Marcos, where she previously held the position of deputy city manager.