Katie Spurgin never imagined she’d make a career out of her love for the outdoors. Growing up in Texas, she spent weekends fishing with her dad, camping with her family, and later, hunting on leases across the state. Yet, despite her outdoor adventures, she didn’t see conservation as a career path—until a few years ago.
Now, as Engagement Manager for Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF), Katie leads the Stewards of the Wild program, equipping her peers with experiential, educational opportunities while inspiring them to become future conservation leaders. Her journey, much like the program she now manages, has been shaped by a deep appreciation for nature, a winding career path, and a desire to connect more people with Texas’ wild places.
From the moment she could walk, Katie was out with her dad on North Texas lakes, chasing bass and soaking up outdoor adventures. But it wasn’t just fishing—Katie’s upbringing was an immersion course in all things nature. “One of my favorite memories is sitting with my brother while we were camping, watching hummingbirds feed for what felt like hours,” she recalls.
Her introduction to hunting came later. At nine, she shot her first deer on a friend’s farm in Fredericksburg, bundled up in layers against the winter cold. “I kept thinking I saw deer everywhere because I was so excited,” she laughs. When a real deer appeared, she made her shot count, marking the beginning of a lifelong connection to wildlife conservation.
Still, she never saw the outdoors as a career path. Instead, she pursued a degree in communications and public relations at the University of North Texas, imagining a future in journalism or photography. After graduation, she worked in PR, freelanced as a photographer, and spent several years as a high school journalism teacher. It was rewarding but stressful. Something was missing.
That “something” turned out to be Stewards of the Wild, a TPWF program designed to engage young adults in conservation through shared outdoor experiences, service projects, and social events. A friend invited Katie to a local Stewards of the Wild happy hour, and she found herself surrounded by like-minded people who shared her passion for the outdoors.
“I had done some research on Stewards of the Wild, but I didn’t really understand it,” she admits. “After that first event, it all made sense, and I was hooked.”
Shortly after joining, Katie became an advisory council member for the Dallas Chapter. When the program’s previous manager accepted another role within the conservation realm, she saw the job posting and something clicked. “I read the description and thought, ‘That’s me!’” A few interviews later, she was in.
When Katie took over in 2022, Stewards of the Wild was still recovering from the pandemic. Membership had dropped, and many regular activities had stalled. Her first priority? Rebuilding.
“I focused on developing relationships with chapter leaders and encouraging them to start planning events again,” she says. “We needed to remind people why they joined in the first place.”
Leveraging her communications background, she revamped the program’s outreach efforts. A steady stream of newsletters, social media updates, and inspiring messaging helped reconnect members with the program’s mission. Membership rebounded, events filled up, and engagement soared.
One of the program’s biggest draws is its Mentored Hunt Initiative, which introduces newcomers to ethical hunting, land stewardship, and conservation principles. While Katie grew up hunting, she acknowledges that, for many Texans, the opportunity to experience it firsthand is rare.
“I never realized how many people didn’t have the access or opportunities I had growing up,” she says. “Seeing someone experience their first hunt or fishing trip, and watching them develop a real appreciation for the outdoors—it’s a deeply rewarding outcome.”
The Mentored Hunt Program was the brainchild of her predecessor, Matt Hughes, who now works with the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA). Rather than reinvent the wheel, Katie has focused on strengthening the partnership between Stewards of the Wild and TWA, allowing the program to expand without taking away from her broader mission of member engagement.
As Katie looks to the future, she’s less focused on simply growing membership and more interested in turning participants into conservation leaders.
“It’s not just about getting people to show up for an event,” she explains. “I want them to walk away understanding conservation—what it means, why it matters, and how they can contribute.”
That means creating more opportunities for members to get involved beyond attending events. Whether mentoring new hunters, serving on advisory councils, or even one day joining the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s board of trustees, Katie wants Stewards of the Wild to be a launching pad for future conservation leaders.
As for her own future? Katie sees herself sticking with TPWF.
“I love this organization. I love what I do,” she says. “I learn something new every day. And as long as I can keep making a difference, I want to be here.”
For someone who once thought conservation was just a personal passion, Katie Spurgin has come full circle. Now, she’s not just enjoying the outdoors—she’s making sure the next generation has a reason to protect it.
