2025 Bash: Trailblazing for Tomorrow

More than 220 guests gathered at the Houston Country Club on May 7 for the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s Trailblazing for Tomorrow 2025 Bash, raising over $230,000 to safeguard Texas’ coastal prairies, wetlands, and working lands.

The event honored Kathy Adams Clark and Gary Clark—wildlife advocates, authors, and educators whose decades-long partnership has helped countless Texans connect with the natural world. As the evening’s Honorary Chairs, the Clarks were celebrated for their enduring contributions to conservation, photography, and environmental storytelling.

A special short film premiered during the program, capturing their life’s work—from early days birding on the Katy Prairie to their collaborative publications. The film, which drew a standing ovation, highlighted the Clarks’ shared mission: to inspire awe, understanding, and stewardship of Texas’ wild places.

Emcee Mark Klein humored the crowd with bird-themed jokes, while keynote speaker Dr. Jeff Goodwin, Director of Rangeland and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University, gave a powerful talk on sustainable working land practices and the future of prairie conservation.

Guests enjoyed a seated dinner and spirited conversation, while bidding on curated auction items ranging from private birding tours to weekend getaways.

Honorary Chairs

Kathy Adams Clark – Founder of KAC Productions and renowned wildlife photographer. Kathy has inspired countless people to appreciate and protect the Katy Prairie and its diverse ecosystems.

Gary Clark – Distinguished educator and writer, Gary has shared his passion for nature through decades of insightful columns in the Houston Chronicle and books. His writings, including works on Texas birds, wildlife, and the beauty of natural landscapes, have educated and motivated others to protect the environment.

Together, Kathy and Gary have also collaborated on several books, including Book of Texas Birds, Enjoying Big Bend National Park, Texas Wildlife Portfolio, and Backroads of the Texas Hill Country. Their work continues to inspire future generations of conservationists.

Feature Speaker: Dr. Jeff Goodwin

Dr. Jeff Goodwin is the Thomas M. O’Connor Endowed Director of Rangeland and Wildlife Management and Director of the Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management at Texas A&M University. He also holds a faculty appointment as Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management and Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension. He also currently serves as the 2025 President of the Society for Range Management. 

With over 25 years of experience in rangeland management, Dr. Goodwin specializes in applied research and education to enhance the ecological and economic resilience of grazinglands and ranching operations. Before joining Texas A&M, he served as Conservation Stewardship Lead and Senior Rangeland Consultant at the Noble Research Institute. He also spent 14 years with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, culminating as Texas' State Rangeland Management Specialist.

Dr. Goodwin is dedicated to advancing stewardship-based management practices and providing innovative solutions for sustainable grazing land management.