Planned Giving by TWAF

Article by MEG GUERRA

Aldo Leopold, the father of wildlife ecology, a true conservationist and outdoor enthusiast stated, “When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

The Texas Wildlife Association Foundation (TWAF), formed as a 501(c)(3) in 1991, has dedicated its mission to increasing natural resource literacy by promoting conservation and educational programs that connect Texans to the land thereby creating a community of conservationists who will protect the land, water and wildlife of our great state. By supporting TWAF, you help support this community.

There are many ways in which you can make a lasting impact on the future of environmental education through TWAF. The most common forms of support are cash donations, annual gifts, memorials and matching gifts.

Another, and often overlooked, way for you to support TWAF is through planned giving. A planned gift is made in your lifetime or as a bequest in your Last Will and Testament and can include gifts of equity, life insurance, real estate and personal property or cash. It can be beneficial in estate and tax planning.

To celebrate those donors who have included TWAF in a planned gift, they will be inducted into the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation Leopold Society and recognized in a place of honor at TWA Headquarters. Our first inductees into the TWAF Leopold Society are Rae and Richard Hill, who have left TWAF a substantial specific bequest in their estate plan.

I joined TWA in 1993 because it protected and enhanced the things I love to do in the great outdoors.

TWA and TWAF missions are something I truly believe in, and the staff, volunteers and board members are some of the finest people I have ever been associated with in any organization. You cannot leave the workload to others only. We all need to pitch in and serve with our time and funds.

Our entire family has been involved over the years with TWA. Rae and I have been to numerous conventions, meetings and other TWA-sponsored events. Our children have been to convention and have been present on some of the youth hunts held at our ranch.

TYHP hunts are tremendously rewarding. We host two hunts each year and have seen what a positive impact it makes on the youth hunters and their guardians. The hunts also benefit the ranch in game management. Secondly, all the outreach programs to the youth of Texas, such as Conservation Legacy, are inspiring to me.

With Texas becoming less rural, it is hard to make children and adults aware of the need for wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation and how all Texans can contribute in some way to become responsible land and wildlife stewards. We need to reach the Texas urban populations to create a more natural resource literate citizenry.

Over the years, I’ve served on boards of various charities with several friends who were very passionate about the cause or charity. Unfortunately, they passed away without a specific bequest, and their spouses and children (with good intent) donated to causes other than those for which the deceased was most passionate. It is important to me that a part of my estate goes to TWAF. By leaving a specific bequest in my Last Will and Testament, I can ensure that my wishes are upheld.

Thank you to the Hills for their leadership in leaving a lasting legacy of conservation.

For more information about how you can support TWA Foundation through Planned Giving, go to www.twafoundation.org .