SAN ANTONIO– On June 3, 2013, Taking Care of Texas and the South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER) co-hosted a tour of the Eagle Ford Shale region featuring Taking Care of Texas Founder Former First Lady Laura Bush; STEER President Omar Garcia; and representatives of Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Wildlife Association.
“Taking Care of Texas is about building on existing conservation efforts,” said Mrs. Laura Bush. “We are working with developers of the Eagle Ford Shale because it’s important to take care of the landscapes and wildlife habitat where drilling occurs. We want Texas to be a leader in meeting the nation’s energy needs while conserving soil and habitat and boosting the economy in South Texas. ”
STEER and its members facilitated the day-long tour to showcase conservation efforts being implemented by the oil and gas industry on drilling sites across South Texas, and to explore opportunities to expand this work through collaboration with Taking Care of Texas.
Mrs. Bush and the Taking Care of Texas team are working with the oil and gas industry in the Eagle Ford Shale region to ensure control of erosion, salvage of topsoil, and native plant reseeding on drilling locations of all sizes. Together, they are organizing widespread adoption of sound conservation practices, many of which are already in use by several oil and gas companies. The partnership also aims to develop new and more effective practices over time.
“We are extremely proud to welcome former First Lady Laura Bush and her team from Taking Care of Texas to the Eagle Ford Shale region and provide this important organization with a firsthand look at the best practices the oil and gas industry are currently and meticulously implementing to ensure that we protect our environment,” says STEER president Omar Garcia. “The oil and gas industry understands the importance of embracing and protecting South Texas, and we are happy for the opportunity to show how we effectively operate our businesses in communities across South Texas.”
Taking Care of Texas will continue to work with STEER, Texas Oil and Gas Association, oil and gas companies, wildlife biologists, and private landowners to develop detailed support materials for surface activities and spotlight locations where conservation practices are voluntarily implemented.
“We believe that conservation of Texas’ vast open spaces and natural treasures, when done collaboratively as part of drilling operations, will benefit all Texans, present and future,” Mrs. Bush added. “We were pleased to see the conservation practices that are in motion during the extraction process and we look forward to helping the industry continue the important work of safeguarding our environment.”
About Taking Care of Texas
Taking Care of Texas, founded in 2011 by Mrs. Laura Bush and a team of engaged landowners, businesspeople, and scientists, aims to promote the mutual benefits of economics and conservation, raise awareness of collaborative conservation projects, and provide Texans with ways to engage. Its vision is for Texas to be the state best known for practical, scientific, and citizen-led innovations in conservation.
About South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER)
The South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable (STEER) is the leading Eagle Ford Shale resource in the region and is the primary coordinator for communication and public advocacy surrounding the oil and natural gas industry in South Texas. With a focus on South Texas, STEER will serve as the bridge connecting the industry and legislature, academia and the communities throughout South Texas to ensure positive collaboration and communication surrounding the activities associated with the Eagle Ford Shale. For more information about STEER, visit STEER.com.