FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 4, 2016
Media contact: Lydia Saldaña
817.851.5729
lsaldana@tpwf.org
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) is pleased to announce the creation of a scholarship fund to benefit Texas State Park employees, named for parks advocate George Bristol. Grants from the George Bristol Texas Parks Leadership Fund will enable qualified State Parks Division staff at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to attend nationally recognized leadership training programs.
Bristol is a long-time champion of state and national parks and has worked tirelessly to promote and enhance Texas State Parks. He served as chairman of the Texas State Parks Advisory Committee and led a statewide effort for better park funding. In 2007, the Texas
Legislature nearly tripled the appropriations to parks, and in 2015, the Legislature passed HB158, which dedicates all revenue generated by the sporting goods sales tax to Texas parks and historic sites. On Sept. 24, Bristol was honored by the Texas Conservation Alliance with their Conservation Hero of the Year award.
“While the Texas legislature provided the means, we could not go down the road to building a brighter future for state parks without the support and guidance of people like George Bristol,” said Brent Leisure, director of the state park system. “George Bristol has been an unwavering source of support for our employees, and naming this new scholarship after him is a fitting tribute.”
Bristol was lauded earlier this year at a state park staff conference, where he learned of the scholarship fund that will be awarded to outstanding park employees.
“I can think of no higher honor than to have my name associated with a fund to continually improve the education of Texas’ state park employees,” said Bristol. “These scholarships will help provide the tools for staff to present the best of our shared natural and historic treasures.”
TPWF is raising funds for the scholarship. To donate or for information on establishing a fund at Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, contact Austin Taylor at 214.720.1478, ataylor@tpwf.org.
A .pdf version of this press release is available.
All TPWF news releases available online: tpwf.org/media/press-releases
Since 1991, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has leveraged public funds with private philanthropy to advance Texas’ proud outdoor traditions and conserve our state’s wildlife, habitat, recreational areas, and natural resources. Since its inception, TPWF has raised more than $125 million to help ensure that all Texans, today and in the future, can enjoy the wild things and wild places in Texas.
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