Investments in renewable energy could become a $12 billion annual market in Texas by 2020, and help mitigate climate change as well. For more information about the risks and opportunities involved in climate change, see the linked report (PDF, 8.5 MB).

Land conservation makes good sense for the state's business: fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing contribute $4.7 billion to the Texas economy (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2001).

Protection of clean air is good for the state's health: human exposure to air pollution costs America $50 billion per year, and an estimated 50,000 to 120,000 premature U.S. deaths are linked to air pollution (Tarrant County, 2004).

Wildlife conservation is popular with the general public: 94% of Texans believe that "our state's fish and wildlife populations should be properly managed and conserbed (Texas Tech, 2001).

The Texas Environmental Grantmakers Group ("Texas EGG") is a loose federation of community, family, and corporate foundations, as well as a few individual donors, who explore the challenges and opportunities for environmental support in the state of Texas.

In June 1996, over 30 foundations and 70 individuals met in Houston to discuss environmental trends and efforts in Texas. Following that meeting, the Texas Environmental Grantmakers Group was formed as an informal effort to educate and link donors who are interested in conservation issues in Texas.

Our interest arose from concern over a variety of environmental problems affecting Texas,and a conviction that there were important links between conservation work and the efforts to develop our communities, educate our children, and protect our families' health.

In short, the conservation field in Texas offers both the need and the opportunity for foundation dollars to make a difference in a number of varied ways. We would welcome your participation and contribution to our discussions and efforts. Please contact any of us if you have questions or suggestions.

Thank you for your interest in the Texas Environmental Grantmakers Group. We hope you'll join us!