Education Facility Campaign

Conservation Education for Future Generations

The Foundation has initiated a capital campaign to build a new Education Facility on the grounds of the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation. Dedicated to the study and appreciation of the unique ecology of south Texas, the facility will enhance the Foundation’s already extensive educational activities.

The Education Facility will serve several purposes. The building will include a museum to house and display the Donald Bowman Bird Collection, one of the premier bird collections in the world. The Bowman Collection contains 405 beautifully preserved bird specimens, some of which are exceedingly rare and over 100 years old. Today, however, the collection is stored in cramped closets, with only a few specimens available for public viewing. The new building will also house the rare Francis Lee Jaques Collection of Wildlife Art, and the extensive Roy W. Quillin Egg Collection, which includes 2,200 clutches of bird eggs and approximately 10,000 individual eggs. This remarkable collection includes eggs obtained before the widespread use of pesticides, hence it is very important for research purposes. In addition, the Welder Wildlife Conservation Foundation’s remarkable Natural History Collections of scientific bird study skins and taxidermy specimens; reptiles; amphibians; insects; and mammals will be relocated to the new building.

A fully computerized Classroom will be a significant component of the new Education Facility. Not only will students be able to trek across the Welder Wildlife Refuge to experience south Texas wildlife and wildlife habitats in situ, they will be able to sit indoors and participate in scholarly lectures and presentations, and to conduct computer research. In addition, the building will contain the most up-to-date climate controls and cabinetry to ensure the long-term maintenance and conservation of the Foundation’s remarkable natural history collections, so that students for many years to come may visit the Education Facility to learn about, and study south Texas wildlife. Last but not least, the building will contain a light-filled indoor Atrium for special gatherings year-round.

To learn more about how you can contribute to this campaign, please visit our Giving page, or if you wish you may donate online. If you would like to learn more about other programs to which you might like to give, please our Options for Giving page.

Gifts of stocks and securities are welcome and appreciated. Please be sure to specify that your gift is for the Education Facility Campaign. Donations to the campaign will be held in a secure bank account separately from other Welder donations.

Invoices will be provided upon request. Please also be sure to let us know how to list your name properly in all permanent recognition and in our publications.

Donor Communications

At the end of each calendar year, the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Conservation Foundation will provide Education Facility Campaign donors with a written report on the status of the fundraising campaign until the campaign attains its goal, and eventually, a report on the status of construction of the new building while the Education Facility is under construction.

Unless otherwise notified, we will also send all donors periodic publications from the Foundation, including our annual report and newsletters. A grand opening celebration will be held to which all donors will be invited.

Thank you!