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The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™
We're working with you to make a positive impact around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 United States and your backyard. Support our work
Texas
Executive Team
Laura Huffman
Texas State Director
Contact Information
318 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 623-7241
E-mail: lhuffman@tnc.org
Brief Biography
As state director for The Nature Conservancy of Texas, Huffman heads a team of more than 80 scientists, conservation experts and support staff whose work affects every corner of the Lone Star State, from the Davis Mountains in West Texas, the borderlands of the Rio Grande, the East Texas Piney Woods and the coastal marshes of the Gulf of Mexico. During her tenure at the Conservancy, the organization has expanded its Barton Creek Habitat Preserve and purchased more than 38,000 acres in and around the Edward’s Aquifer, ensuring the protection of Barton Springs Pool, Austin’s favorite watering hole. Huffman’s leadership has helped secure valuable habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, safeguarded water quality at the Hill Country’s iconic Hamilton Pool and extended publicly accessible lands on the banks of the Pedernales River, just west of the city. She is one of the Conservancy's most trusted national voices and speaks regularly on an array of topics, including freshwater protection, the Gulf of Mexico, conservation easements and current pressing environmental issues.
A native of Austin, Huffman has a long and distinguished record of public service. She served as deputy city manager for the city of San Marcos from 1994 to 2002 and assistant city manager for the city of Austin from 2002 to 2008, spearheading important watershed protection and economic development initiatives for both cities. She earned a master’s of public affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s in political science with a minor in history from Texas A&M University. She makes her home in Austin, with husband Kent and their four children.
Recent Op-Eds
What Cities Need (Care2, March 21, 2013)
Urban Strategies for a Changing Country (Care2, January 17, 2013)
Tackle the Water Crisis (Texas Weekly, December 11, 2012)
Water Conservation: The Tyranny of "Or" (Care2, October 18, 2012)
Urban Conservation: The Key to Our Future (Care2, September 20, 2012)
Groundwater Use Should Balance Rights and Needs (The Austin American-Statesman, March 11, 2012)
Protecting Gulf of Mexico Critical for our Future (San Antonio Express-News, February 29, 2012)
Protection Efforts Will Help us out in Future Droughts (The Austin American-Statesman, August 17, 2011)
Legislature Makes Progress in Protecting Natural Resources (San Antonio Express-News, June 15, 2011)
You Break It You Fix It: Gulf Fines Should Go Back to the Gulf (Houston Chronicle, April 16, 2011)
The Gulf's Hope is in Texas After the Oil Spill (Houston Chronicle, June 5, 2010)
Water Protection is a Wise Investment (San Antonio Express-News)
Video
TribLive: Huffman on Water and the Legislature (The Texas Tribune, April 22, 2013)
Profile
The Water's Keeper (Austin Woman Magazine, April 2012)
Catching Up With Laura Huffman (Continental Magazine, September 2010)
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