2024 Annual Conference a Success!
The Tyler Nature Center came alive on April 13 as TfSP members from across Texas joined to learn from each other and share success stories from the past year at the Annual Conference. As always, the conference provided a forum for members to learn from each other about the many ways park partner groups and individuals can make a difference at state parks. And, as always, there was also good food and conversation as members renewed friendships or formed new acquaintances.
State Parks Director Rodney Franklin was on hand to provide a recap of the past year and a share a glimpse of things to come in our parks. We were also honored to have Rodney join us in recognizing some of the amazing folks that keep our parks operating every day. While we know that our parks are special places, without the volunteers and staff members that keep the park infrastructure going, provide programs and keep visitors safe they wouldn’t be the same.
Texans for State Parks has developed the Awards Program to positively recognize these folks for their exemplary service to our State Parks. The annual presentation of the awards coincides with the Texans for State Parks Annual Conference each year. The Awards for service in 2023 were presented to the winners named below in each of the four categories in the six Texas State Parks Regional Areas at the April 2024 TfSP Annual Conference.
I hope you’ll join me in recognizing these special folks for their service!
Kevin Good, President
CONGRATULATIONS!
Region I
Outstanding Superintendent
Laura Jennings – Big Bend SP
Outstanding Staff Member
Brenda Iniquez – Balmorhea SP
Outstanding Volunteer (2)
Susan & Lance Hildreth – Seminole Canyon SPRegion II
Outstanding Superintendent
Javier de Leon – Estero Llano Grande SP
Outstanding Staff Member
Sydney Blackwell – Lake Casa Blanca Int SP
Outstanding Volunteer
Dawn & Randy Bissell – Mustang Island SP,
Goose Island SP, Lake Corpus SP
Outstanding Friend’s Group
No Nominees
Region III
Outstanding Superintendent
Nathaniel Nouri – Inks Lake SP
Outstanding Staff Member
David Hallock – Inks Lake SP
Kayla Reaves – Colorado Bend SP
Outstanding Volunteer
Karen Stewart – Inks Lake SP
Outstanding Friend’s Group
Friends of Inks Lake – Inks Lake SP
Region IV
Outstanding Superintendent
Suzy Hearne- Village Creek SP
Outstanding Staff Member
Patrisia Loredo – Brazos Bend State SP
Brynne Stamatis – Village Creek SP
Outstanding Volunteer
Carrie Sample – Brazos Bend SP
Outstanding Friend’s Group
Brazos Bend SP Volunteer Organization
Region V
Outstanding Superintendent
Jeff Davis – Dinosaur Valley SP
Outstanding Staff Member
Michael Hale – Cleburne SP
Outstanding Volunteer
Tommy Scott – Cleburne SP
Shelbie Seminario – Dinosaur Valley SP
Outstanding Friend’s Group
Mother Neff SP Assn. – Mother Neff SP
Region VI
Outstanding Superintendent
Amanda Parsons – Eisenhower SP
Outstanding Staff Member
Kayla Williams – Atlanta Alicia O’Connor –
Cooper Lk SP Complex
Outstanding Volunteer
Stella Smith -Caddo Lake