Aaron Tjelmeland is the The Nature Conservancy in Texas’ Restoration Program Director. With 18 years of experience in grassland conservation and research, Mr. Tjelmeland spearheads a range of regional grassland restoration projects and oversees the management of coastal tallgrass prairie, bottomland hardwood forest, and estuarine marsh preserves. Prior to working with TNC, he was an avian ecology researcher at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and later led an invasive plant research program. (Fall 2025)