This Week on HSCF’s “Hunting Matters” Radio & Podcast: John Shepperd, Executive Director, Texas Foundation for Conservation

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) and “Hunting Matters” welcomes John Shepperd, Executive Director, Texas Foundation for Conservation. 

John D. Shepperd is a sixth generation Texan, born in Austin and raised in San Antonio. After high school in San Antonio, he graduated from University of Texas in Austin with a degree in American Studies. Although Shepperd learned to hunt and fish at an early age, it was during college when the writings of Edward Abbey, Thoreau, John McPhee, and Aldo Leopold really shaped his appreciation for the natural world.  

After college, Shepperd worked as a Policy Analyst at the Texas Capitol, then joined the Texas A&M University System as a Research Associate in the departments of Forest Science, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Agricultural Economics. He planted trees, worked in a laboratory, restored coastal habitat, modeled financial impacts of flood events, surveyed wetlands and saltwater marshes, built the first nursery in Texas dedicated to growing dune plants, and worked as a liaison between the Army Corp of Engineers, TAMU Department of Agriculture Economics, and dozens of South Texas ranchers and farmers.  

In 1996, John exchanged his muddy boots for a coat and tie and joined the Senate Natural Resources Committee as a Policy Analyst working primarily with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Department of Agriculture.  After two productive Sessions at the Texas Legislature, he moved into the private sector, co-founding two successful healthcare companies.  

In 2014, John joined Blackridge Governmental Affairs as Director of Operations, once again back in the political arena.  During the 84th Session, he worked on a multitude of projects, including analyzing and tracking legislation, educational outreach, fundraisers, PAC spending, office communications, and lobby team coordinating and strategy.  

John then became the Executive Director of the newly formed Texas Foundation for Conservation and the Texas Coalition for Conservation where he focuses on the political, educational, and grassroots outreach of conservation.   

“Hunting Matters” airs each Saturday from 6am-7am CST on KPRC AM 950 – Real Texas, Real Talk, a Houston iHeartMedia station, and Houston’s longest running radio station. Listen live online here. You may also listen to each episode as a podcast, following live airing, on most major podcast platforms including iTunes, the Apple Podcasts, the IHeartMedia, Google, Overcast, and Spreaker. Subscribe. Rate Us. Leave A Comment. Tell Others About us!

About Houston Safari Club Foundation
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. HSCF has awarded 600 scholarships totaling $2.7 million dollars. HSCF conducts youth outdoor education programs, career training, hunter education and field experiences throughout the year. HSCF has provided over $4 million in grants for hunter-funded wildlife, habitat, and various conservation initiatives. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization. Visit our website at wehuntwegive.org or call 713.623.8844 for more information. HSCF. We Hunt. We Give.