Women have been shaping the conservation movement in Texas since the 19th century. Jennifer L. Bristol covers more than 60 individuals and groups working to preserve natural landscapes in Wild Women for Good: Stories of Conservation in Texas. Two women in conservation, Shelly Plante and Thea Platz, will join her for a panel about the invaluable role Texan women have played in establishing parks, protecting wildlife, developing policies that value nature, and defending communities against pollution and destruction of habitat.
Photo Credit: Thomas Nilles
Jennifer L. Bristol is the author of Parking Lot Birding: A Fun Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas and Cemetery Birding: An Unexpected Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas. Sharing a love of birds with famed naturalist Victor Emanuel, she created and directs the Victor Emanuel Nature Scholarship Fund to send underserved youth to birding and nature-immersion camps.
Jennifer is joining the festival to discuss her latest book, Wild Women for Good: Stories of Conservation in Texas.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Author
Shelly Plante is the statewide Nature Tourism Manager in the Outreach and Education Program of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. She has been with TPWD for more than 25 years and her work is all about making life better outside. She believes community-based conservation, education, and partnerships are critical to the future of our natural resources, and has worked throughout Texas to connect people to conservation through birding, paddling, and other forms of outdoor recreation. Key programs managed by Shelly include the Great Texas Wildlife Trails, Great Texas Birding Classic, Texas Paddling Trails, Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, and nature tourism marketing and promotion support for landowners and local communities.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Author
Based in San Antonio, Thea Platz has dedicated much of her career to natural-resource education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. A founding member of Texas Master Naturalist, Thea has been nationally and locally recognized for her commitment to environmental outreach and education. Thea served as a Director of Outdoor Environmental Education with the North East Independent School District (NEISD), where she developed and led outdoor education programs. She was also part of the think tank that developed the first Environmental Education Plan in Texas. Over the span of her education career, she has engaged approximately 40,000 youth and as many adults in conservation education and outdoor programs. She has served on the board of directors of Texas Children in Nature, Alamo Master Naturalist, Friends of Guadalupe River State Park, and more. She was on the San Antonio Parks advisory board, where she collaborated to bring together the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, and the San Antonio River Authority to secure Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Park. She helped raise more than $400,000 for an adaptive and natural play area at the park. For her efforts, she was honored with the conservation hero award from Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy. Thea deeply believes that all children—and adults—deserve to have safe and equitable access to nature for a healthier and happier future.
Thea is joining the Book Festival to discuss Wild Women for Good: Stories of Conservation in Texas by Jennifer L. Bristol.
Jeanette Honermann is a naturally curious community connector, lifelong reader, and 2022 Texas Women in Conservation awardee whose passion for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship shapes everything she does. A proud Air Force “military brat” with deep roots in San Antonio’s West Side, she found her safe space in public libraries across the world—and was “that kid” who maxed out her library card at every visit. That early love of books grew into a career championing literary culture and the communities it builds.
Her wide-ranging background makes her a natural at leading conversations where different perspectives are welcomed and expected. When she’s not facilitating discussions, you’ll find Jeanette out in nature—hiking, exploring wild spaces, and championing conservation through her work on numerous national, state, and local boards dedicated to outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.
