Earl Nottingham | TPWD
INTO THE WILD
CARTER SMITH, beloved protector of the outdoors, moves on after leading TPWD for 15 years
“Thank you for caring about our wild things and wild places. They need you now more than ever.”
If any words can bring to life the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department mission, it’s this simple statement that Executive Director Carter Smith uses to close many speeches and writings. As the conservation-steeped Texas native closes out his 15-year tenure, Smith’s admirers are quick to mention his gift of gab.
To lead the state’s “outdoors” agency in its many vital programs, Smith had to walk the walk, though, not just spout inspiring superlatives. Under his charismatic leadership, Texans have benefited from the agency’s programs to restore pronghorns and Guadalupe bass, the assurance of assistance during times of severe weather, new parklands to explore and so much more.
Smith cites Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine as a real inspiration. His grandmother started his subscription at age 8.
“I’d thumb through those amazing pictures and stories, and they would take me to some far corner of our state, some place that I wanted to go and see and explore and do,” he recalls.
Smith became TPWD executive director at age 39. It didn’t take him long to win the hearts of colleagues who sensed his authentic passion and caring nature, smiling indulgently at his half-joking promises of “extra sunrises and sunsets” as bonuses for good work.
“I can say without reservation that Carter is one of the finest executive directors to ever run TPWD,” says Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Arch “Beaver” Aplin III. “He has stewarded the state and our resources with vision and integrity. In an agency full of incredible individuals, he has been an inspiring leader. There is no replacing Carter Smith.”
As Smith passes the torch to the next era of TPWD conservation leaders, let’s take a moment to see how the agency has thrived during the challenges of the past 15 years under his leadership.
Courtesty of Carter Smith family
Earl Nottingham | TPWD
CRISIS RESPONSE
THROUGH WILDFIRE and prolonged drought, public health crises and dramatic weather events, Smith has led game wardens, park staff and wildlife professionals in helping the state recover.
February 2021’s winter storm caused power blackouts, wildlife kills, food and water shortages and a plethora of busted pipes at TPWD facilities. Dedicated staff protected facilities and counted wildlife fatalities despite the conditions, and subsequent measures helped affected species recover to pre-storm levels.
But perhaps no unforeseen emergency tested the agency more than the resulting destruction when Hurricane Harvey pointed its deadly eyewall at Rockport and Houston in 2017. Game wardens were everywhere, rescuing people and pets, distributing hope and supplies, some continuing to work while their own families were displaced by the storm surge.
When emergency shelters overflowed, 62 Texas state parks opened their gates wide to offer a temporary home to evacuees.
“Hurricane Harvey forever changed the lives of many Texas Game Wardens and their TPWD family,” says Col. Chad Jones. “Carter rallied around me and Texas Game Wardens, standing tall and fast as a beacon to be followed throughout the storm. His mentorship and unwavering commitment to excellence throughout the devastating losses along the Texas Coast is a reminder of what leadership truly means.”
Earl Nottingham | TPWD
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
IN A STATE where land is mostly privately owned, wildlife conservation depends on adroit land acquisition in Texas’ diverse ecoregions. Wildlife management areas such as the recent Powderhorn Ranch, Yoakum Dunes and Roger Fawcett properties represent unique wildlife resources and opportunities.
“Carter has always been supportive of sound science and research activities, which has led to better resource management across Texas,” says John Silovsky, Wildlife Division director.
TPWD gained authorization to charge a fee for participation in the Managed Lands Deer Program, and the resulting income funded 13 additional wildlife biologists to better address the requests of landowners and wildlife enthusiasts.
“With Carter’s leadership and persistence, this was one of the most impactful advancements of conservation delivery for the landowners of Texas,” Silovsky says.
As the percentage of Texans who consider themselves hunters continues to decline, TPWD launched its Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R3) Program, part of a national initiative, in 2021, and hired two R3 coordinators.
“Through Carter’s guidance and leadership, we now have two dedicated individuals who wake up every day thinking strategically and implementing ways we can better recruit, retain and reactivate outdoor enthusiasts,” Silovsky says.
TPWD
FISHING OPPORTUNITIES
SMITH’S LEADERSHIP in increasing freshwater fishing opportunities proved to be particularly beneficial when Texans turned to nature during the pandemic. Fishery production and stocking efforts keep great catches biting on anglers’ hooks, while new access areas bring the fun closer to home.
The Habitat and Angler Access Program restores and enhances fish habitats and improves and expands bank and shoreline-based angler access on waterways throughout the state. The River Access and Conservation Areas Program helps paddlers and anglers access rivers. The John D. Parker East Texas Fish Hatchery opened in 2012, enhancing Texas’ production of bass and catfish.
2018 ushered in a rebranded and improved Toyota ShareLunker Program, which expanded angler participation and engagement in TPWD’s big-bass program.
“This resulted in advances in bass genetic capabilities and the total conversion of Florida largemouth bass hatchery broodfish to direct offspring of ShareLunker fish,” says Inland Fisheries Director Craig Bonds.
During Smith’s tenure, TPWD Inland Fisheries celebrated 30 years of Guadalupe bass restoration, advanced science on alligator gar and implemented conservation measures to sustain unique fishing opportunities that draw enthusiasts from around the world.
“Carter staunchly supported Inland Fisheries staff efforts to continuously strive for novel and effective means to provide access to a broad menu of quality fishing opportunities across lakes, rivers and neighborhood ponds in Texas,” Bonds says.
Chase Fountain | TPWD
NEW STATE PARKS
“WHEN YOU THINK about conservation and outdoor recreation in Texas, there is no greater legacy than leaving more open space for future generations of Texans to enjoy,” says Rodney Franklin, Texas State Parks director. “If you made a list of people who have embodied our mission, protected our heritage and left an indelible mark on outdoor recreation, Carter Smith is right at the top.”
Two epic state parks will open in coming years: Powderhorn State Park (and Wildlife Management Area) in the Coastal Bend and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, a short drive from Dallas/Fort Worth.
Park enhancements — including “dark skies” designations, historical and cultural preservation, natural resource restoration, modernized business/reservations systems, along with increased interpretation and environmental equality — mark Smith’s era of leadership. None of that would be possible without the dedication of sporting goods sales tax revenue in 2015 and partnerships with the private sector and nonprofits, especially the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, 75 miles west of Fort Worth, will have a soft opening in late 2023, the first state park in North Texas in two decades. TPWF raised private funds for the purchase and will build the park facilities.
The foundation donated most of the 17,351-acre Powderhorn Ranch (near Port O’Connor) to TPWD for a wildlife management area in late 2018. The remainder was donated last year for a future state park at the site.
“In so many ways, Carter has strengthened the future of state parks — I am beyond grateful for it,” Franklin says.
Chase Fountain | TPWD
David Yoskowitz succeeds Smith as Executive Director
ENVIRONMENTAL economist David Yoskowitz, PhD is taking the reins as the new executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department after being named to the post in October. Yoskowitz was most recently the senior executive director and endowed chair for socioeconomics at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
“As an avid outdoorsman, David lives the mission of TPWD,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Chairman Arch “Beaver” Aplin III. “His business and economic acumen in the field of our cultural and natural resources will suit TPWD perfectly. Sixteen years at the Harte Institute in Corpus Christi has been a wonderful training ground preparing David to be our new executive director.”
At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Yoskowitz’s experience as an economist and his interest in environmental and natural resource issues paved the way for collaboration with natural science colleagues to study the links between environmental and human well-being with a particular focus on the resilience of the Gulf of Mexico region. Yoskowitz and the Harte team of scientists and researchers worked to develop science-based solutions for fisheries, watershed, coastal and ocean challenges.
“It’s such an honor to join the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a privilege to work alongside the talented women and men throughout the agency that dedicate themselves to conserving the natural and cultural resources, and the outdoor legacies, that make Texas such a special place,” Yoskowitz said. “As a lifelong outdoorsman, a father and someone who has spent the last several years of my career working toward creating a better future for the Gulf of Mexico, the TPWD mission is near and dear to my heart.”
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