It is amazing what a group of smart, dedicated people can accomplish. I am so happy with PPLT and its good work building lasting legacies since 2001. PPLT will continue to thrive because of its board and volunteers who show up, learn the complexities of land trust work and make wise decisions to protect open space for the future.
— Joan Russell, previous Board Vice-President


BOARD ACTIVITY

Our Board meets every fourth Monday of the month, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Board members volunteer their time and resources to support and advance PPLT’s mission. If you are interested in serving on our Board, please consider attending a board meeting or two and reviewing our Board Member Application.

 

Who we are

The mission to continue into perpetuity may sound tough to some. For our board members, it is a mission that is taken to heart and moved toward daily. This small but mighty team has come together to serve our community with dedication and knowledge. Read more about them below:

The Pines and Prairies Land trust board

OFFICERS

President

WF.jpeg

Wilynn Formeller, Berthoud, CO. Wilynn is a Native Texan and grew up on a cattle ranch in Bandera. She has over a decade of experience serving on boards and working for nonprofits. Although she currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three sons, she previously lived in Travis County and worked for PPLT as a part-time contractor, sharing her expertise in wildlife and land management, event planning, social media and marketing. Wilynn is the Development and Program Director for the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition. She holds an MS in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University.

 

treasurer

Walt Kluchki, Travis County. Walt runs his own tax and business planning company and has been active with PPLT for several years. He also brings with him experience as a corporate VP of Finance and as a Controller before starting his own business. Besides numbers and policies, Walt is also goal-oriented and an experienced planner. He enjoys the outdoors and is an avid hunter, loves dogs and enjoys watching wildlife. His quick wit and no-nonsense style will be put to good use at PPLT. BS in Accounting at St. Vincent College with Graduate Studies in Economics at Gannon University.

(photo coming soon)


secretary

Geoff Zickler, Bexar County. Geoff is owner/operator of a property management company and has a lifelong history of helping to manage his family’s ranch where they recently restored native prairies for their cow/calf operation. He is experienced in working with agricultural agencies under their cooperative programs to employ best management practices on the land. Besides having experience with business finances, planning and operations, Geoff is an advocate for land conservation, educating landowners and is the Den Leader for his boy’s Boy Scout Troop. Geoff holds a BBA in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship, Magna Cum Laude, UTSA.

 

DIRECTORS

Katie Larson, Bastrop County. A lover of dirt, tall grasses, and two-steppin’, Katie is a former high school special educator, and she currently works in outdoor education and recreation. She is enthusiastic about community outreach and making the outdoors accessible to all the people. Katie is the volunteer coordinator at the Colorado River Refuge, and she is a Texas Master Naturalist. She is working on her Master’s degree in Biology.

 

Rachel Naasz, Bastrop County. Photo and bio coming soon!

 

Luke Thompson, III, Bastrop County. Luke has a vast background in everything from conservation to IT and employee management. Luke was the first steward at Warbler Woods in Travis County, handled landowner relationships and land stewardship as Assistant Director with the Texas Nature Conservancy, brought the park reservation system to TPWD, and was an early Director of the Austin Nature Center. Luke loves the outdoors, wildlife, and especially birds. He is active in Bastrop Audubon and Bird City Bastrop and is an experienced member and leader of several nonprofit boards. Luke’s passions lie with engaging and inspiring landowners and those interested in the outdoors. At PPLT we often say, “What hasn’t Luke done?!” Luke also holds a BA in Biology from UT Austin.

 

STAFF

Executive Director

Melanie Pavlas, Caldwell County.  Melanie is a Caldwell County landowner where she practices wildlife management. She has diverse experience in environmental biology and wildlife conservation, including endangered species permitting, monitoring and conservation, bird surveys, habitat restoration and wildlife and land management. Melanie also has an extensive background in technical and regulatory guidance in regard to project impacts on wildlife and protected resources and how to mitigate them. Her personal passions center around animal welfare and rescue. She has been Executive Director of PPLT since 2012. BS, Environmental Biology, University of Houston at Clear Lake.

outreach manager

Laurie Mason, Bastrop County. Laurie is a big fan of wildflowers, native grasses and a lover of wild spaces. Since settling in Smithville in 2014, she found herself falling in love with the land as she witnessed the process of regrowth and renewal in the young piney woods after the 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire. Her new perspective and relationship with the land inspired her to complete her Master’s in Conservation Biology from Miami University and to look for ways to get involved in protecting other wonderful local places. She has volunteered with PPLT since 2018 and was absolutely thrilled to join the PPLT team as the Outreach Manager. She is especially excited to support our mission to connect people with places, as this has been such a transformative experience in her own life.