For Immediate Release (Thursday, August 25, 2005):
Contact: Ken Kramer , 512-477-1729 or 512-476-6962
Donna Hoffman, 512-477-1729 or 512-299-5776
The
Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club consists of over 25,000 members.
The Chapter spans the entire state of Texas, excepting El Paso, which
is part of the Rio Grande Chapter.
Located in Austin, the Lone Star Chapter's State Conservation Office
serves Sierrans as their grassroots communications center. We also provide
Sierrans with a full time professional activist staff employed to represent
Sierrans as we fight at the state level to protect and conserve Texas'
diverse and valuable natural heritage.
Sierra Club Praises Parks & Wildlife Decision
Commission Rejects Big Bend Ranch Land Sale Proposal
( Austin)—The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club praised today’s unanimous decision by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to reject an offer by a private businessman to purchase 46,000 acres of Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas. “The Parks and Wildlife Commission responded to the massive outpouring of public concern about the possible sale of 1/6 of the land in the crown jewel of the Texas park system,” said Ken Kramer, Sierra Club state director, “and the Commissioners did what was right.”
“The Sierra Club especially commends the leadership shown by Texas Parks and Wildlife Chairman Joe Fitzsimons in making sure that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department followed the priorities in its own strategic plan – which include protecting public lands and the ability of people to enjoy those lands,” added Kramer. “The Sierra Club stands ready to work with the Commission and the agency in addressing wilderness access issues in Big Bend Ranch State Park and doing so in a manner that protects the great natural heritage of that area.”
