Terry and Kelly Anderson recognized with Land Stewardship Award

Terry and Kelly Anderson of Nacogdoches were awarded the 2022 Land Stewardship Award by the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society at the annual state conference held in Horseshoe Bay.

The Andersons, Stephen F. Austin State University alumni and owners of Nacogdoches-based Conservation Equity Partners, actively manage more than 2,300 acres across Nacogdoches, Liberty, Panola, Newton and Willacy Counties. On these properties, the Andersons have worked to restore degraded agricultural lands back historical conditions of native bottomland hardwood forest and wetlands; improve wildlife habitat previously impacted by overgrazing livestock; and restore native longleaf pine and hardwood forests while also implementing sustainable timber harvesting and conservation practices.  

“It is an absolute honor to be recognized as a steward of the land,” said Terry Anderson. “In every management decision we make, we strive to create a positive outcome for the land which, in turn, sustains us.”

Among many endeavors, Terry Anderson currently serves as adjunct faculty at SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and utilizes a number of these properties to actively guide current students through science-based land management practices.

“Not only have the Andersons provided SFA students access to their land, they have supplied the institutional knowledge of the wildlife and resource management practices conducted at the locations,” said Dr. Jessica Glasscock, assistant professor of forest wildlife management at SFA.

Beyond the Anderson’s personal properties, the couple further promotes sound land stewardship through Conservation Equity Partners, an enterprise that serves East Texas communities and beyond through the merging of traditional natural resource management, real estate investment and ecological services.  The Andersons also promote wise use of natural resources through their ownership in Wildlife Systems, an enterprise focused on providing high-quality recreation experiences to outdoor enthusiasts across Texas.  

Founded in 1937, The Wildlife Society is an international, non-profit scientific and educational organization serving and representing wildlife professionals in all areas of wildlife conservation and resource management. The Texas Chapter’s Land Stewardship Award recognizes Texas landowners who have been instrumental in the development, application and promotion of sound wildlife management principles on their land.