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TWA Through the Years
from Texas LAND Fall
MARKING MAJOR MILESTONES
Through the Years
STORY BY LORIE A. WOODWARD
Forty years ago, TWA was born to give Texas landowners, land managers and hunters a loud, clear voice in the halls of government. Since that time, TWA has embraced that role while also preserving the state’s hunting heritage and educating Texans about the importance of conservation and land stewardship.
Beginning with just 50 people fueled by passion, TWA has grown to 7,750 members across the state and become one of the most respected conservation organizations in the country. Here are a few major milestones marking its journey to the forefront.
1985
Official Formation
The Articles of Incorporation to create the Texas Wildlife Association were filed with the Texas Secretary of State’s office on November 13, 1985.
1986
First Annual Convention Held
The first annual meeting of TWA, which set the tone, created the framework and morphed into the association’s beloved annual convention, was held at the YO Hilton in Kerrville in April 1986.
1989
Landowner Liability Protection Strengthened Landowners began enjoying limited protection from liability in 1985. In 1989, TWA helped push through stronger protections. Through the years, the protections have continued to be strengthened, most recently in 2019—and TWA has been part of the ongoing effort.
1991
Texas Wildlife Association Foundation Organized
TWAF, a 501 (c)(3) charitable foundation, was organized to fund conservation education and research program directly related to its mission of “ensuring a legacy of conservation and the heritage of hunting through education.” Today, it holds and manages assets valued at more than $10 million.
1991
Texas Big Game Awards Launched
To celebrate the contributions of hunting to conservation, TWA working with TPWD, created the Texas Big Game Awards program to recognize those individuals who harvest quality big game animals in Texas, the land managers who produce these animals, the importance of our hunting heritage and the achievement of young and first-time hunters.
1995
Wildlife Tax Valuation Passed
Proposition 11, a constitutional amendment that identified wildlife and habitat management as agricultural production practice thereby qualifying for agricultural and timberland tax valuation, passed with 62 percent of Texas voters supporting the measure during the November election. In 2020, the last year where data from the Comptroller’s Office is available, 6.26 million acres were actively managed as wildlife habitat.
1996
Texas Youth Hunting Program Launched
Since that time, TYHP hosted 4,198 hunts (as of February 2024) on 769 different ranches involving 85, 874 Texans in responsible, safe and ethical hunting. The total includes youth participants, their significant adult and the dedicated volunteers necessary to run the hunts.
2001
Conservation Legacy Launched
Conservation Legacy, TWA’s multi-faceted conservation education program, started operating in 2001. Its overarching purpose is “educating generations of Texans on how they can be better stewards of the land and native wildlife to better sustain our connection to the natural world for future generations to enjoy.” Since 2007, when the program started meticulously tracking metrics, the program has delivered 7.5 million impacts.
2007
Relationship Between Land Stewardship and Water Recognized
For five years, TWA leaders worked to educate state legislators about the important relationship between land stewardship and water quality and quantity. Their efforts paid off with the passage of SB 3, which codified in state policy that land stewardship benefits all water resources in Texas; the Texas Constitution recognizes and fosters that beneficial relationship.
2019
CL 2.0 Initiative Launched
In 2019, Steve Lewis, former TWA president and former TWAF chairman and trustee, proposed a complete review and potential refreshing of the Conservation Legacy program, an effort dubbed CL 2.0. The proposal led to an intensive year-long strategic planning process that resulted in a detailed five-year expansion plan as well as multi-year grant funding from the Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation to support the efforts; the first grant that was received in December 2021 to begin implementing the plan in 2022.
2022
Adult Learn to Hunt Program Launched
As an outgrowth of its popular Field to Table dinners, TWA began informally hosting adult educational hunts in 2018, but created and launched its formal program in 2022. During the 2024-25 season, the program ran 30 hunts, introducing 150 novice hunters to the tradition.
2022
TWA Headquarters Opened
On June 24, 2022, TWA held the grand opening ceremony for its new permanent headquarters, the David K. Langford Center in New Braunfels. Thanks to a successful capital campaign launched in 2018 and the unsurpassed generosity of its supporters, TWA completely paid off its headquarters building in 2023.
This timeline first appeared in the March 2025 issue of Texas Wildlife.
LEADERSHIP BEYOND THE LIMELIGHT
Remembering McLean Bowman
As its first president, Marrs McLean Bowman of San Antonio guided the Texas Wildlife Association through its perilous infancy and then stepped behind-the-scenes where he continued to be one of the organization’s most generous and stalwart supporters throughout his life. On June 30, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family, he passed from this life just 10 days before TWA, the organization to which he dedicated so much time, energy and money, held its 39th annual convention and celebrated its 40th anniversary.
“McLean was passionate about wildlife of all species, the land it lives on and the rights of the private landowners who shoulder the responsibility of caring for it,” said Larry Weishuhn, a noted wildlife biologist, writer and outdoor media personality, who co-founded TWA in 1985. “As a landowner and land steward himself, he knew what it takes to manage land for the benefit of wildlife—and he believed Texas needed an organization like TWA.
“He believed so strongly in these things that he, a notoriously private person, put aside his distaste for the limelight and stepped forward on behalf TWA, his fellow landowners and wildlife.”
David K. Langford, a founding TWA director who became the organization’s second CEO, concurred, “McLean not only didn’t want the limelight, but he didn’t even want the lime. He knew what TWA needed and made it happen in such a way that while we all suspected he did it, there were never any fingerprints to confirm it. He was one of those rare individuals who gave and gave, but didn’t want any credit for his generosity.”
Although Bowman was private person, he was a successful businessman, an avid hunter, a generous philanthropist and a respected advocate. In addition to TWA, he was active in Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, the Texas Order of St. Hubertus, The Argyle, the San Antonio Country Club, the Order of the Alamo, the Boone and Crockett Club and Safari Club International. He was a founding director and patron of the Briscoe Western Art Museum, and his largesse benefited Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation among many others.
“When McLean came to TWA, he brought his entire network with him,” Langford said. “There’s no way to ever know exactly how many connections that McLean made for TWA in his very low-key way. But I am confident that TWA would not enjoy the reputation and relationships that it does with organizations ranging from Texas Farm Bureau to the Sierra Club, if it weren’t for McLean.”
According to Weishuhn, Bowman was the person that TWA needed as its first president.
“People in various circles knew how selective McLean was about his public appearances, so when he stepped forward as TWA’s president it sent the clear message to landowners, hunters, businesspeople and organizations across the state that our fledgling group was something to pay attention to,” Weishuhn said. “And they did.”
Thanks to Bowman’s tireless service, TWA thrives today and educates Texans, including legislators and school children, about the importance of the Lone Star State’s wild places, wild things and the land stewards who care for them both. The organization’s robust presence is his living legacy.
“TWA wouldn’t be here without McLean Bowman,” Langford said. “His legacy lives on in TWA’s on-going, ever-growing impact.”
