In a recent move by Governor Greg Abbott, Texas' approach to soil and water conservation has seen a reshuffle with the appointment of two key individuals to the State Soil and Water Conservation Board. The announcement came directly from the Office of the Texas Governor stating the names of James Clement III and Tina Yturria Buford, both of whom bring a wealth of experience related to ranching and land management to the table.
Clement, a seasoned rancher from Kingsville, will be serving the board until February 1, 2027, his myriad of roles include senior vice president of Grass and Rangeland at EarthOptics, and he holds directorships at several organizations including Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions, Frontiers Market, Beggs Cattle Company, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association not to mention being a director for the American Quarter Horse Association, National Ranching Heritage Center, and the South Texas Property Rights Association, his military service as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer since 2008 also adds to his diverse portfolio. He has academic credentials from Goucher College and Cornell University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master of Business Administration respectively, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
Buford, who hails from Harlingen, has been reappointed to the board with a term ending on February 1, 2026, she is deeply involved in the field of education as the director for the East Foundation and she continues to build on her family's legacy at the H. Yturria Land and Cattle Company, her past experience boasts leadership positions such as the presidency of the Texas Wildlife Association and its Foundation, while having served on boards like Texan by Nature and the Sand County Foundation, Buford's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Texas A&M University at College Station and a Certificate in Ranch Management from Texas Christian University, according o the Office of the Texas Governor.
While the appointments are effective immediately, they remain subject to confirmation by the Office of the Texas Governor a legislative procedure that will further scrutinize the appointees and their intended contributions towards the conservation and sustainable management of Texas' natural resources, a mandate that holds considerable weight in the face of growing environmental concerns.
