Conservation Champions Turn Out in Style For the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s Trailblazing for Tomorrow Bash

May 14th, 2025 – Houston, Texas – 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. With support from the evening’s Dinner Underwriter, the Matagator Foundation, the gala was an enormous success. Thanks also goes to the Seaside Goldenrod Underwriters Ann & Tom Kelsey, Stephanie & Brad Tucker and Mustang CAT, and ConocoPhillips, as well as Halliburton, the evening’s Video Underwriter. Proceeds will benefit the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s conservation, restoration, and education initiatives—including public access projects and Texas’ first certified conservation cemetery.

Spotted in the crowd:

Kathy Adams Clark and Gary Clark, Dr. Jeff Goodwin, Ann and Tom Kelsey, Kirk and Regina Johnson, Forrest Wylie and Oxana Beliaeva, Sam and Molly McBirney, Harry Masterson, Ann Hamilton, Linda Knowles, Jerry and Kimberly Young, Teresa and Mitch Winkler, Mavis and Wendy Kelsey, Herman Stude, Shirley Hunter, Jane Wood, Jessica Jubin, Jeff and Pat Sheets, Mark Klein [gallery columns="4" link="file" size="medium" ids="399497,399498,399499,399500,399501,399502,399503,399504"] ### Photo credit: © Casa de Camara. Photo caption: The Coastal Prairie Conservancy was pleathe Trailblazing for Tomorrow 2025 Bash at the Houston Country Club on May 7th, which will celebrate conservation efforts and raise funds to continue our mission. ### About the Coastal Prairie Conservancy The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to sustaining a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairie, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever. Preserved lands play an important role in flood control, cleaner air and water, outdoor recreation, and wildlife habitat. To learn more about the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s conservation efforts, visit www.coastalprairieconservancy.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram @coastalprairieconservancy.