We are excited to announce our new Board President, Shelia Hargis!
Shelia Hargis took her first birding class in the summer of 1996. Fred and Marie Webster taught the class through UT Informal Classes. She was amazed when Fred identified birds he was hearing – who knew someone could do that? She was blown away when she saw her first male Painted Bunting – who knew these colorful birds existed in Texas?!? Shortly after that life-changing experience, Shelia joined Travis Audubon and was fortunate to have been taken under the wings of Lawrence Buford and Jean Martin. They were the best mentors a birder could have. Shelia reaped so many benefits from the field trips and classes that Travis Audubon offered. Wanting to give back to this organization that had already become her family, she joined the Board in 2002. Being young and way too cocky about her abilities, she became president in 2003. Highlights of her two years as president include hiring Travis Audubon’s first non-profit professional as our Executive Director (Valerie Staats) and accepting Chaetura Canyon from Paul and Georgeann Kyle as a Travis Audubon sanctuary and life estate for the Kyles.
Fast forward through many years of attending more bird walks and classes, teaching various bird-related classes, leading field trips, giving community presentations, participating in bird surveys and research projects, traveling internationally to see birds, another short stint on the TAS board, a longer stint on the Texas Ornithological Society board as vice president and president, a Victor Emanuel Conservation award and working as a crime analyst and crime analyst supervisor for Austin Police Department for 23 years. Shelia rejoined the board in October of 2025 and after some convincing, agreed to be president again. She was voted in as president by the board on July 9 along with Rich Kostecke as vice president, Celeste Treadway as treasurer, and Flo Rice as secretary.
Comparing where Travis Audubon was in 2003 to where we are now is like comparing night and day! We have come far in our mission to inspire conservation through birding – but there is still so much work to do, as birds and their habitats face threats from every corner. Shelia’s priorities include developing the board’s knowledge and skills to maximize its ability to deliver on our priorities as we continue to grow; supporting our amazing staff so that they can be as effective as possible, while focusing the board on strategic level priorities; and improving communication between the board and our membership. Shelia will also be leading the Board as it begins to process feedback from the membership on the contentious question of our organization’s name, always keeping in mind the goal of maintaining and building on our strong conservation accomplishments to date. That’s a lot and it will take time, but Shelia is excited about Travis Audubon’s potential and ready to get started! If you are excited too, look for volunteer opportunities that excite you and sign up to help make the future brighter for birds. Who knows, you might be a Travis Audubon president one day!
