Dr. Chuck Sexton and Lisa O’Donnell have known each other since the 1980s. They met at Biological Advisory Team meetings during the planning phase of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP). Lisa, who had just started her career and attended the meetings as an observer, says Chuck was “one of the cool kids” on the B.A.T., a mix of experts who were, arguably, all “cool kids” in their own right.

Chuck Sexton (standing) with some of the Earth First crew in the late 1980s. 

Lisa O’Donnell cooks a meal in the wilderness of Alaska’s Semidi Islands.

At the time of their meeting, conservation biology was a relatively new field of science. Concern about species like the Golden-cheeked Warbler had been brewing since at least the 1950s, illustrated by Travis Audubon Society’s founding in 1952, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that scientists, policy makers, and concerned citizens came together to design concrete protections for plants, animals, and entire habitats in need. It’s no coincidence that this drive to conserve biological diversity really took off the same time Austin saw rapid development.

The Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan, what Chuck, Lisa, and their colleagues were working on, was the second regional conservation plan in the country, and the first multi-species plan to be attempted anywhere in the United States. The Biological Advisory Team provided what Lisa describes as “the biological foundations for the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.” The biological advisory team’s hard work came to fruition when the BCCP permit was signed at Reicher Ranch in 1996. The permit, issued to the City of Austin and Travis County, represents a community-based solution for expanding development while protecting habitat for endangered and rare species.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Director Nancy Kaufman, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Regional Director, signs the BCCP permit on May 2, 1996. Photo from traviscountytx.gov.

Chuck pointed out that in this famous photograph of the BCCP signing, a few people are noticeably missing. When the photo was taken, Chuck, Clif Ladd, and Victor Emanuel were off on a bird walk with Bruce Babbitt, the United States Secretary of the Interior at the time, to show Bruce his first Golden-cheeked Warbler.

Chuck Sexton (right) and Clif Ladd (left) miss the group photo of the BCCP signing while showing  United States Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbit his first Golden-cheeked Warbler.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the BCCP’s signing, and the Endangered Species permit that served as the basis for the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve is in the process of being renewed. In her current role as Environmental Scientist Senior for the City of Austin, Lisa is an advocate for continuing to build on the foundation set by the advisory team back in the 1980s. Lisa and her colleagues promote cutting-edge science to maintain the integrity of the preserve. Some recent examples include Golden-cheeked Warbler population genetics, the role of soil biota in ecosystem health (carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, water uptake, decomposition of dead wood), monitoring water content in trees, and reforestation experiments.

Left: Lisa and colleague conduct a mark-recapture study of Jollyville Plateau salamanders.

Right: A group of scientists and volunteers show off their samples of oak and juniper roots they collected during a “MycoBlitz” (gathering baseline data on mycorrhizal fungi associated with these roots).

Head a bit northwest of where Lisa is breaking new ground and you’ll reach the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. Not to be confused with the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, this wildlife refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Now retired, Chuck worked as a biologist at the refuge for 16 years. He says one of the most important things he did in that role was designing the Doeskin Ranch and Warbler Vista trail systems. When he mowed a few temporary trails at the Doeskin Tract in preparation for visitors during an annual “National Refuge Week” celebration in the late 1990s, Chuck didn’t realize that those paths would become the official trail system. Later, as a “homework assignment” in anticipation of a Refuge staff retreat, Chuck dreamed up and sketched out the concept for the Warbler Vista trail system near Lago Vista, Texas.  You can admire Chuck’s handiwork during your next visit to the refuge.

Chuck takes Ken Salazar, then United States Secretary of the Interior, on a walk at Warbler Vista at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

How were Chuck and Lisa able to have such a big impact on the preserve and refuge during those early days of conservation biology? Chuck will tell you that he was “in the right place, at the right time, with the right skill set,” but we think their passion for conservation also drove their success. Lisa says she has always been inspired by Chuck’s expertise and has had the honor of collaborating with many amazing colleagues.

Celebrate Chuck and Lisa and learn more about their illustrious careers at our Victor Emanuel Conservation Award Celebration on October 3rd.