Left to Right: Tio Kleberg, Fred Bryant, and Wales Madden Jr. enter the Texas Conservation Hall of Fame
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) recently welcomed three members of Phi Delta Theta into the 2017 Texas Conservation Hall of Fame. Tio Kleberg (Texas Tech ’69) and Fred Bryant (Texas Tech ’70) were honored for their individual accomplishments and their work together at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Wales Madden, Jr. (Texas ’52) was honored for a lifetime of philanthropy, much of which has benefited Palo Duro Canyon.
“We’re pleased to recognize the significant accomplishments of our honorees,” said Kelly R. Thompson, chair of TPWF’s board of trustees. “Tio Kleberg, Fred Bryant and Wales Madden have devoted their lives to work that will benefit the wild things and wild places of Texas for generations to come.
Fred Bryant, Ph.D., is the Leroy G. Denman, Jr., Endowed Director of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The institute’s mission is to provide science-based information for enhancing the conservation and management of wildlife. Dr. Bryant received his Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Texas Tech University, followed by a master’s degree from Utah State University and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University.
Tio Kleberg grew up on the King Ranch, working with and learning from the best land managers, geneticists, and wildlife biologists of the time. Mr. Kleberg graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Following an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1971, he returned to work on the King Ranch where he developed a passion for what would become his life’s work. Mr. Kleberg has served as trustee of the Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation for 37 years and is also a founding member of the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Wales Madden, Jr. is a longtime Amarillo civic leader and businessman. He joined the Navy in 1945, and after his service, attended the University of Texas at Austin and received a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. An avid outdoorsman, his lifelong passion for Palo Duro Canyon has led to many philanthropic accomplishments, including leading the fundraising effort for the Palo Duro amphitheater, which was dedicated in 1966. He was also the first president of the Texas Panhandle Heritage Foundation and has served as president of the Amarillo Bar Association, the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and the Don & Sybil Harrington Foundation. In more recent years, Mr. Madden has been involved in other projects to enhance his beloved Palo Duro Canyon, including the Mack Dick Pavilion and Canoñcita Ranch.
The 2017 inductees were honored at the Texas Conservation Hall of Fame dinner and concert at ACL Live at Moody Theatre in Austin on April 6, 2017. The Texas Conservation Hall of Fame benefits Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, which raises private dollars to leverage public funding for high-impact, transformational projects such as the acquisition of Powderhorn Ranch.
