The Trust for Public Land Appoints Former Travis County Commissioner Valarie Bristol as Texas State Director

AUSTIN: The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is pleased to announce the appointment of former Travis County Commissioner, Valarie Bristol, as its Texas State Director.

Ms. Bristol comes to the Trust for Public Land after years of public service. She served on the Travis County Commissioners’ Court from 1991 to 1997, representing Precinct 3. As Travis County Commissioner, Ms. Bristol played a major role in the formation of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, a 30,000-acre preserve system for endangered species in Travis County, and led the restoration of Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis. Ms. Bristol also co-founded the Austin Metropolitan Trails Council, now known as Austin Metro Trails and Greenways. She served as Chair of the Central Texas Clean Air Force, and received The Nature Conservancy’s Individual Leadership Award in 1997.

“Land and the connection to land is so important to Texans. I look forward toworking with communities to set aside and protect adequate land for parks and open space. The laughter of children playing in a park is an inspiration to me,” said Ms. Bristol about her new position with the Trust for Public Land.

Mr. Ted Harrison, Senior Vice President and Director of TPL’s southwest region, said, “Valarie brings incredible energy, intelligence and passion to the work of saving critical landscapes in Texas. Her proven leadership skills will add tremendous value to TPL’s conservation program.”

Before her term as Travis County Commissioner, Ms. Bristol served on the board of trustees of the Eanes Independent School District from 1984 to 1987. Ms. Bristol comes to the Trust for Public Land from her position as an associate with Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever & McDaniel, LLP., where her practice emphasized public law.

Founded in 1972, the Trust for Public Land specializes in conservation real estate, applying its expertise in negotiations, public finance, and law to protect land for public use and enjoyment. TPL offers real estate, finance, and legal expertise to community groups, government agencies, and landowners seeking to conserve critical open space resources. TPL works nationwide to acquire and protect land for use as parks, gardens, recreation areas, wilderness and historic and cultural sites. In its 27 year history, TPL has added more than 1,180,000 acres of land valued at more than $1.78 billion to our nation’s common wealth of public open space.

In Texas TPL has protected over18,000 acres, including additions to the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, the Great Trinity River Park in Dallas, Government Canyon State Natural Area in San Antonio, and the Barton Creek Wilderness Park in Austin. The Texas State Office is part of the Trust for Public Land’s southwest region, which also serves Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Utah. The Texas office continues its process of filling the position of Public Finance Program Director.

For more information on the Trust for Public Land please visit our web-site at www.tpl.org.