About Us

The American Conservation Foundation (ACF) believes in the need to conserve and manage natural resources with a practical approach to engagement with private landowners and the business community.

ACF is driven by a deep commitment to protecting and managing natural resources while fostering collaborative solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities. By bridging the gap between conservation, private landowners, and industry, ACF ensures that sustainability efforts are practical, impactful, and forward-thinking.

Our approach balances environmental stewardship with real-world needs, creating innovative conservation projects that preserve ecosystems, support landowners, and promote responsible business practices.

Our Mission

The American Conservation Foundation (ACF) is a Texas-based non-profit organization committed to the conservation, sustainable management, and protection of natural and community resources. ACF develops and implements innovative, science-based strategies that are practical, durable, and grounded in common sense. Our mission is to support initiatives that safeguard native ecosystems, strengthen resilience to natural hazards and empower communities and private landowners to become active stewards of the land. Through a balanced approach that promotes environmental sustainability, public safety, and economic vitality, we aim to build stronger, more adaptable communities.

Meet The Executive Board

President & Treasurer

Russell Castro

Russell Castro serves as President and Treasurer of American Conservation Foundation, Inc. (ACF) since April 2025. Prior to becoming President and Treasurer, he actively contributed to ACFs Science and Policy Committees and played a key role in the development of the Texas Conservation Plan (TCP).

Russell retired in December 2022 after 43 years with the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service. He began his career as a Range Conservationist in Zapata, Bandera, and Tulia, TX. He then held the position of District Conservationist in Edna, TX, before moving to Terrell/Weatherford, TX as a Zone Wildlife Biologist, covering over 53 counties. Later, he relocated to Temple, TX to serve on the State Water Resource Staff as a Wildlife Biologist, assisting in obtaining environmental permits for the construction and rehabilitation of NRCS flood retarding structures. In 2005, he was selected as the State Wildlife Biologist, overseeing the biology program for NRCS in Texas.

Russell grew up in Austin, Texas, after returning from various duty stations with his father, who served in the U.S. Air Force. He attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX earing a BS in Range Animal Science with a major in Wildlife Management and a minor in Biology. Russell and his wife, Juli, have two beautiful daughters, two son-in-laws, and five wonderful grandchildren. Russell and Juli are avid Texas Longhorn fans, enjoy spending time on the lakes around Austin and love traveling to various places and countries. Russell's moto is "It's All Good", and his door is always open.

Secretary

Shawn Wade

Shawn Wade serves as the Director of Policy Analysis and Research at Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., an advocate for cotton producers across the High Plains region. His primary responsibilities at PCG include farm policy, crop insurance, and research.

A Lubbock native, Shawn came to PCG in 1991 as Communications Director after graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in agricultural communications. In his twenty-five-plus years at PCG, Shawn developed a keen interest in legislative and regulatory issues through his work in communications. He monitors how current legislative programs are working once they’re passed and helps PCG members understand how they work and how proposed changes to those programs might impact them at the farm level.

Shawn also works closely with cotton researchers, helping to guide and advise on new projects that address key industry needs through programs such as the Plains Cotton Improvement Program and the Cotton Incorporated State Support Program.

Shawn and his wife, Melissa, live in Lubbock, Texas with their two daughters.

Board Member

Gene Richardson

Gene Richardson served as President and Treasurer of ACF from ACF's formation in 2020 - March 2025.

Prior to his role at ACF, Gene retired after 24 years with the Texas Farm Bureau where he served as the Director of the Commodity and Regulatory Activities Division. In this role, Gene was responsible for a variety of resource and agricultural issues, including citrus, feral hog, forestry, hay and forage, nursery and greenhouse, wildlife, game ranch and outdoor recreation. Gene has extensive experience in handling regulatory issues dealing with the Endangered Species Act and its impact on landowners and transportation.

Prior to this position, Gene served as an associate director for Commodity and Regulatory Activities Division and as an area field representative for the Texas Farm Bureau.

A native of the Lubbock area, Gene attended Texas Tech University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, Business and Economics from West Texas State University at Canyon. He was employed as district sales manager for Mycogen Plant Sciences.

Gene farmed and ranched in Hudspeth County, where he was a county Farm Bureau director. He and his wife, Cristy, now live in Waco, Texas. Together they have three daughters, share a step son and have sixteen grandchildren.

Board Member

Richard Brantley

Richard Brantley retired from University Lands after 25 years of dedicated service, culminating is his role as Senior Vice President of Surface Operations for the past decade. He proudly serves on the Board of American Conservation Foundation, continuing his commitment to land stewardship and environmental sustainability.

University Lands, a division of the University of Texas System, oversees the management of 2.1 million acres of Permanent University Fund (PUF) lands across 19 counties in West Texas. Revenue generated from these lands supports 28 educational and healthcare institutions within both the University of Texas System and Texas A&M System.

The management of PUF lands demands a continuous focus on conservation, environmental programs, and regulatory compliance. Richard's extensive expertise in land and environmental management, coupled with his deep experience in the oil and gas industry, has played a pivotal role in shaping best practices for responsible land use and long-term sustainability.

Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. With a career spanning over three decades in land management, he has made significant contributions to the industry and holds two patents.

Board Member

Gary Austin

Gary Austin retired in 2022 after 48 years in the energy development and production business. Most recently, he was a cofounder and partner of EcoPoint, an innovative geospatial firm providing environmental services.

Gary began working in environmental restoration and habitat planning in the early days of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska working to protect and restore the fragile tundra on the North Slope. Gary served as a technical advisor on a wide range of environmental issues including threatened and endangered species. He has a long history in the environmental field working in exploration, development and production with the oil and gas industry and in planning and operations in the mining industry.

Gary holds a BA in Biology/Botany and an MS in Environmental Science. Gary has worked with academia, government agencies, trade associations, public land users, private corporations and landowners, to develop and implement innovative strategies for managing industrial surface disturbance on public and private lands.

Gary has been happily married for over a half century to his wife Colleen. His family includes four sons and seven grandchildren. He enjoys the outdoors and is frequently found on horseback on the family ranch in Eastern Colorado.