Reston, VA - This weekend, the National Wildlife Federation recognized Janice Bezanson, Executive Director of the Texas Conservation Alliance, for her unfailing efforts to protect waters and wildlife habitat in Texas.

"The hallmark of Janice Bezanson’s three-decade career in conservation has been galvanizing coalitions of non-traditional allies to achieve on-the-ground conservation successes, such as the creation of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Her broad accomplishments—from mentoring young conservationists to lobbying Congress—demonstrate Bezanson’s guiding influence as a leading member of the NWF community.”

The ceremony took place at the National Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting and celebration of the 80th anniversary of its founding, held in Estes Park, Colorado. The Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award honors individuals who have demonstrated a true appreciation for the value and potential of the NWF-affiliate partnership.

Janice Bezanson: Charlie Shaw Conservation Partnership Award

Janice Bezanson’s life in conservation began in an unassuming manner. The stay-at-home mom had no idea that her talents and passions would lead her to become the Executive Director of the Texas Conservation Alliance (TCA) when she first began volunteering in the early 1980s. Over the past three decades, Bezanson tallied an impressive track record. Her career has spanned a broad range of activities – lobbying Congress, recruiting volunteers, generating media coverage, heading up education programs and outdoor events, raising funds, supervising staff, serving on advisory boards, and coordinating with other conservation organizations. The hallmark of her career, however, has been organizing coalitions of often non-traditional allies to accomplish conservation achievements that others often said could not be done. Her success bringing together these diverse coalitions has manifested itself in a number of exceptional ways, from the creation of national wildlife refuges to more ecological management of public lands. Janice has mentored young conservationists, helped fledgling organizations forge strong leadership, conducted workshops on fundraising and developing issues campaigns, helped citizen groups address local issues, and recruited a host of volunteers – many of whom went on to enlist others in conservation. She has also worked closely with the National Wildlife Federation, serving on the Annual Meeting Revitalization Task Force, the Annual Meeting Design Team, and guiding the Texas Conservation Alliance from its early days as it became NWF’s Texas state affiliate. These outstanding accomplishments demonstrate Bezanson’s guiding influence as a leading member of the NWF community.