The Texas Chapter has over 20 active committees. Serving on a committee is a great way to be active in the Texas Chapter. With so many committees to choose from, you can be sure to find one that suits your interest.
The Bylaws contains the rules governing the Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society. The duties and responsibilities for all officers and committees of the Texas Chapter are contained within it. If you have suggestions for changes, please send them to the Vice President.
TCTWS Central (committee/officer SharePoint page – accessible with your tctws.org email address, contact the IT chair for issues with access)
TCTWS Email Instructions for Committee Chairs and Officers
Initial Account Activation Instructions (including browser profiles and multifactor authentication)
Committees and chairs for 2026-2027
Activities
The Activities Committee is responsible for planning and implementing Chapter Symposiums and Workshops.
Chair: Nick Fisher, Adam Terry
Email: activities@tctws.org
Audit
The Audit Committee reviews all financial records and supporting documents of the Treasurer.
Chair: Fernando Gutierrez
Email: audit@tctws.org
Awards
The Awards Committee provides all ribbons, certificates, and trophies for winners at the awards banquet and photographs the award ceremony. They also write news releases on Chapter and member activities.
Chair: Michelle Haggerty
Email: awards@tctws.org
Certification
The Certification Committee promotes certification and professional development of Chapter membership.
Chair: Sarah Fritts
Email: certification@tctws.org
Newsletter
The Newsletter Subcommittee is responsible for the production of the Texas Chapter newsletter.
Chair: Emily Blumentritt
Email: newsletter@tctws.org
Social Media
The Social Media Subcommittee is responsible for managing the social media accounts of the Texas Chapter.
Chair: Audrey Taulli
Email: social.media@tctws.org
Webinars
The Webinar Subcommittee is responsible for hosting webinars for the Texas Chapter.
Chair: Silverio Avila
Email: social.media@tctws.org
Conservation Affairs
The Conservation Affairs Committee is responsible for reviewing conservation issues, legislative proposals, administrative regulations, environmental assessments, and other subjects affecting wildlife or wildlife habitat.
Co-Chairs: Mary Pearl Meuth and Matt Wagner
Emails:
- MaryPearl.Meuth@tctws.org
- executive.director@tctws.org
- conservation.affairs@tctws.org
Cottam Award
The Cottam Committee coordinates and promotes the Clarence Cottam Award, which recognizes outstanding student research.
Cottam Award Guidelines
http://tctws.org/student-menu/scholarship-opportunities/clarence-cottam-award/
Submit Abstract
https://www.xcdsystem.com/tctws/abstract/index.cfm?ID=eO6kpOq
Chair: Justin French
Email: cottam.awards@tctws.org
Diversity and Inclusion
Chair: Vacant
Email: diversity.inclusion@tctws.org
Early Career Professional Program
This committee runs the James G. Teer Conservation Leadership Institute Early Career Professional Program.
Chair: John Kinsey
Email: early.career.program@tctws.org
Excellence in Wildlife Conservation
The Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Committee is responsible for selecting the annual Educator of the Year, Land Stewardship, and Outstanding Achievement Award winners.
Information Regarding Nominations
http://tctws.org/excellence-in-wildlife-conservation-awards/
Co-Chair: Romey Swanson
Email: excellence@tctws.org
Exhibits
The Exhibits Committee is responsible for soliciting and searching for commercial and non-profit wildlife-related exhibitors for the annual meetings.
Chair: Chris Farrel
Email: exhibits@tctws.org
Finance
The Finance Committee is responsible for raising money for the Chapter. The raffle and silent auction at the annual meeting are conducted by this committee.
Co-Chairs: Mikayla Killam and Tamara Wood
Email: finance@tctws.org
Honorary Life Membership
This committee awards Honorary Life Memberships to the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society based on an individual’s achievements and contributions to wildlife conservation and management.
Chair: Justin Dreibelbis
Email: honorary.life.member@tctws.org
Information and Technology
IT is responsible for maintaining the Chapter website and the Chapter email listserv group.
Chair: Wendy Anderson
Email: texas.chapter@tctws.org
Local Arrangements
The Local Arrangements Committee is responsible for coordinating the annual Texas Chapter meeting with the hotel, caterer, event center, and other vendors.
Chair: David Riley
Email: local.arrangements@tctws.org
Membership
The Membership Committee works to encourage people to become Texas Chapter members, retain current members, and identify reasons why people choose not to become members.
Co-Chairs: Amanda Hackney, Rebekah Rylander
Email: membership@tctws.org
Nominations
The Nominations Committee prepares a slate of two candidates for each of the six elected positions. Elections are conducted in accordance with Texas Chapter bylaws.
To nominate someone, contact the chair by September 1.
Nominees for Vice-President should be willing to serve the Chapter for four years as:
- Vice President
- President Elect
- President
- Past President
Chair: Jessica Glassock
Email: past.president@tctws.org
Photo and Art
The Photo, Art, and Video Committee is responsible for soliciting qualified entries for the annual meeting of the Texas Chapter. The contest is arranged and directed by the committee at the annual meeting.
Co-Chairs: Marc Moss, Gage Grantham
Email: photo.art@tctws.org
Program
The Program Committee is responsible for soliciting and arranging the program for the annual Texas Chapter Meeting.
Submit Abstract
Co-Chairs: Carlos “Lalo” Gonzalez, Olivia Gray
Email: program@tctws.org
Publication Awards
The Publications Committee is responsible for selecting the annual:
- Outstanding Scientific Publication
- Popular Article
- Technical Bulletin
- Website
- Book Award winners
The guidelines and policies regarding Publication Awards are maintained and updated by the Publications Committee.
Nominations are accepted for anything published within the previous three years.
To nominate a publication, submit:
- A cover letter explaining why the publication is being nominated.
- A digital PDF to publication.awards@tctws.org or six (6) hard copies mailed to:
Ryan Luna
Natural Sciences Dept. SRSU
E Hwy 90, Box C-16
Alpine, TX 79832
Co-Chairs: Dan Collins, Ryan Luna
Email: publication.awards@tctws.org
Scholarships
The Scholarship Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations for scholarships granted through the Texas Chapter. Solicitation of grants from organizations to support the scholarship program is directed through the Scholarship Committee.
An emailed PDF application (one document containing the application, transcripts, and supporting materials) is preferred. Mail submissions are accepted but discouraged.
Application Requirements
All students must submit a single PDF containing:
- Completed and signed application
- Transcript
Graduate students must also include:
- Letter of recommendation from their major professor/advisor
- Short synopsis of their graduate research project (300 words or less)
Please remove or redact personal information such as Social Security numbers and birth dates before submitting.
Applications should be emailed to:
scholarship@tctws.org
Deadline for Submission: December 16
Co-Chairs: Angie Arredondo, Dr. Dale James
Email: scholarship@tctws.org
Site Selection
This committee selects the site for the following year’s annual meeting.
Traditionally, the committee chair is the President Elect, allowing them to choose the site of the meeting over which they will preside.
Chair: Masi Mejia
Email: president.elect@tctws.org
Student Activities
Student Activities is responsible for encouraging student participation in the Texas Chapter and TWS. Activities including the poster contest and Quiz Bowl are planned and developed through the Student Activities Committee.
Poster Dimensions
Maximum size: 4 ft wide × 3 ft tall
Co-Chairs: Sarah Lucht, SaraBeth Hill
Email: student.activities@tctws.org
Wildlife Conservation Camp
This committee runs the Wildlife Conservation Camp, which is held each summer by the Chapter.
Camp Director 2026: Nolan Talkington
Email: conservation.camp@tctws.org