Texas Parks & Wildlife People: Carter Smith
Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife
Born in Austin, with his formative years spent on his family’s farm and ranch, Carter Smith, Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife, says he grew up with “one foot in the city and one in the country.” This early foundation serves him well today as he leads the agency on its mission to manage and conserve our natural and cultural resources.
My interest in the out of doors is really shaped by those experiences as a youth. And when I was growing up, all my friends had the privilege of having places that their families still farmed or ranched. And that has increasingly become more of an anomaly, and something that I think we as an agency are very concerned about. People are more disconnected from the out of doors.
But, growing up with that family farm and ranch, I had places to learn, to hike and roam and meander and hunt and fish and learn to identify plants and animals and be outside. It really shaped my love of the natural world.
And, ultimately, through those experiences growing up, and also, really, with encounters with Texas Parks and Wildlife employees. A couple of wildlife biologists introduced me to the fact that I could make this passion my profession. And so, that was a great epiphany, or “ah-ha” moment that has ultimately lead me to where I am today.
Learn more about Carter Smith and the great Texas outdoors at passporttotexas.org.
That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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