THE WOODLANDS, TX – (Thursday, November 13, 2008) – The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) recently received a special award from the Nature Conservancy of Texas at the group’s 16th annual Houston Conservation Leadership Awards Luncheon, according to Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing for TWDC.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Woodlands Development Company (TWDC) received a special award from the Nature Conservancy of Texas. Pictured in the photo, bottom row, left to right: Robert Heineman, vice president of planning for TWDC; Tim Welbes, co-president, TWDC; George Mitchell, founder of The Woodlands; Alex Sutton, co-president, TWDC. On the top row, from left to right: Debra Staley, director of public affairs, TWDC; Bob Bruce, recreational facilities development manager, TWDC; Lorrie Parise, marketing manager, TWDC; Joel Deretchin, vice president of public affairs, TWDC; Susan Vreeland-Wendt, director of marketing, TWDC; and Linda Bomke, vice president, GPM, Inc.
TWDC received the award for the vision and development of the George Mitchell Nature Preserve in The Woodlands Village of Creekside Park, a 1,700-acre nature preserve named in honor of The Woodlands’ founder, George Mitchell. Mitchell attended the luncheon and accepted the award along with co-presidents of TWDC, Alex Sutton and Tim Welbes.
The George Mitchell Nature Preserve is a major link in the Spring Creek Greenway Project, an initiative of Harris and Montgomery counties to conserve more than 33 miles along Spring Creek for a regional park and nature trail system that extends from the San Jacinto River in Humble to Burroughs Park in Spring.
During the luncheon, The Nature Conservancy of Texas also honored Anne Duncan and NRG Texas for their commitment and leadership in furthering conservation. Duncan received The Nature Conservancy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing an individual who has made a lifelong commitment to conserving Texas’ irreplaceable natural heritage. This award is not bestowed annually, but is presented only when an individual’s achievements warrant recognition. NRG Texas was presented the Conservation Leadership Award, which recognizes enterprises whose leadership sets an outstanding example to others in the community.
“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to recognize these outstanding companies and individuals for their passion and commitment to conserving our natural world,” said John Cronin Jr., the Conservancy’s director of philanthropy for Houston. “The leadership, intelligence and dedication that they bring and the embracing of conservation is more than a social obligation – it is sound business management and should serve to inspire other leaders in a variety of industries.”
“Protecting nature. Preserving life” was the theme of the Houston Conservation Leadership Awards Luncheon. M.A. Sanjayan, lead scientist for The Nature Conservancy, delivered the keynote address on current issues and challenges in environmental conservation.
The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre master-planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston. It is a project of The Woodlands Development Company, a limited partnership of Morgan Stanley and General Growth Properties, Inc.
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