The Kirksey family was presented with the annual Wild Life award for their environmental committment
At the annual Houston Wilderness luncheon on February 28, John Kirksey and his family received the annual Wild Life award for their environmental contributions, and a Wild Partner award went to ConocoPhillips. Houston Wilderness presented the Wild Life award to John Kirksey, Sr. and family to recognize their commitment and mission to protect, preserve and promote our region’s rich ecological diversity, both personally and professionally. John Kirksey, Sr. with wife, Kyle Kirksey, along with their children and families, Shawn and Bill Jackson and Joanie and John Kirksey, Jr., are all involved in professional and philanthropic endeavors to continue shaping Houston into one of the “greenest cities” in the nation.The Wild Partner award went to ConocoPhillips, for promoting strong economic growth, a healthy environment and contributing to vibrant communities. Chaired by a “Covey of Chairs” — Linda and Les Allison, Vivien and Scott Caven, Ann and Henry Hamman, Marsha and Charlie Parker, Terri and Pepe Schwartz, Kay and Max Watson and Meg and Dick Weekley — the luncheon focused on recognizing those who help enhance Houston’s quality of life and preserve our natural environment for future generations to enjoy.
John Kirksey, Sr. and his family have made contributions to the Houston community and environment through:
• 30 years of planting trees; to date, 10,000 trees have been planted in greater Houston
• Co-founding Trees for Houston
• Creating Freeways to Treeways, which helped lead to TxDOT’s Green Ribbon Program and the Freeway Forestation Initiative
• Helping found the Galveston Bay Foundation
• Commitment to becoming Houston’s first larger company to be carbon neutral
• The creation of the Kirksey Family Foundation Scholarship in Sustainable Design
Mayor Sylvester Turner recently declared February 22 as “Houston Wilderness Day” with an official proclamation, in honor of the first Houston Wilderness Day on February 22, 2007.
Houston Wilderness, a nonprofit organization founded in 2003, is a broad-based alliance of business, environmental and government interests that work together to protect, preserve and promote the unique biodiversity of the region which includes seven land-based and three water-based eco-regions.
About Houston Wilderness
Houston Wilderness is a broad-based alliance of business, environmental and government interests that works together to protect, preserve, and promote the unique biodiversity of the region’s precious remaining capital, from bottomland hardwoods and prairie grasslands to pine forests and wetlands. This mission is accomplished through convening various groups to promote, protect, and preserve the biodiversity in our 10 ecoregions; providing collaborative problem-solving opportunities on critical environmental issues; and educating the public on the many exciting outdoor recreational opportunities in the Greater Houston Region and the health benefits associated with nature.