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Anyone know anything about the Nature Conservancy this man formerly worked for?

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20071205b

The Nature Conservancy is an internationally well-respected conservation organization that specializes in working with local populations to come up with ways to preserve natural habitats and species. Does anyone know what his role/position was in the Conservancy? --HW

Carter Smith was the former director of the Texas chapter of the Nature Conservancy. I'll ask around and see what he's like. I know some people connected to the Conservancy. --HW

"The Nature Conservancy is an internationally well-respected conservation organization that specializes in working with local populations to come up with ways to preserve natural habitats and species."

They seem to be moving away from this but in the past the Nature Conservancy has been famous for having an extremely hands-off attitude towards nature. You know, the kind of people who think you should just walk humbly along established trails, not touch anything, and just be grateful you have the privilege of seeing trees. If Mr. Smith is on that particular end of the spectrum, this could be bad.

Actually of late the Conservancy has been open to a variety of mild "consumptive" activities on some of its holdings. For example, some of the best fly fishing in the west is on Nature Conservancy lands, where angling is allowed under various restrictions.
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Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Yup, as I mentioned, it's been changing. It certainly hasn't changed completely, though. For instance, all 56,000-some acres of TNC land in west Texas are essentially closed to the public.

Patrick

For that matter, the biggest chunk of land TNC ever owned in New Mexico--the Gray Ranch, at 321,000 acres--they gave to the Animas Foundation, a group that allows no public access.

TNC sometimes provides public access to excellent pieces of land, but fundamentally that's not what they're there for.

Patrick

Better than Hilderbrand. I would think this guy would see the sense in having most collecting being done on disturbed roadside habitat rather than on pristine natural habitat. Don't get me wrong, natural habitat is great to herp in but I foresee many people making reservations to hunt on a lease only to find the few days they have access they are rained out and wishing they could easily go to another location.