Texas Land Conservancy
The Texas Land Conservancy (TLC) is a non-governmental, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of land in Texas. In essence, we are in the business of protecting natural areas from the negative effects of land fragmentation and poorly-planned development. Land conserved by TLC will be protected forever from becoming a subdivision, strip mall, or parking lot.
We believe that life is better when you have big open spaces to enjoy. We also believe that our natural resources must be conserved so that future Texans have clean air, abundant water, and places to play.
We help landowners find an economical, realistic alternative to selling their land to a developer that allows ownership to remain in their hands, but puts the responsibility of conserving the land in ours. Many of these properties are working farms or ranches, while others contain important habitat for wildlife and native plant communities. All of these lands are beautiful examples of Texas’ natural heritage. TLC’s work ensures that economic viability and growth is balanced with what makes us Texan: our rural heritage, our open-spaces, our farms and ranches, our scenic vistas, and our natural resources.
TLC was founded in 1982 by the “father of Texas Conservation”, Edward C. “Ned” Fritz, who saw the increasing negative effects of development and growth on natural areas. Mr. Fritz and a group of Dallas’ most dedicated environmental activists started the Natural Area Preservation Association in order to permanently protect Texas’ unique landscapes. Beginning with the successful protection of 100-acres of the Catahoula Forest, these volunteers saved an additional 40,000 acres over the next 18 years. In 2000, they hired the first Executive Director, and in 2007, changed the organization’s name to the Texas Land Conservancy. TLC has become increasingly respected in the land trust community both in Texas and on a national scale over the years.