Sibley Nature Center Executive Director – Burr Williams

Childhood

• Age 4-12 – Bird dog for Frances Williams, regional editor of American Birds, author of Cassin's Sparrow chapter in Bent's Life History of American Birds
  
  
• Age 10 – Published first checklist of Midland County Plants

Professional

• Assistant Manager Wolfe Nursery, 1979-1981
  
  
• Owner operator of Gone Native Nursery, 1982-1992
  
  
• Founder of the Gone Native Arboretum 2000-present; 1200 species of plants tested, 710 still surviving rigorous Xeriscape conditions
  
  
• Co-founder of the Sibley Nature Center, 1980
  
  
• Educational Director of the Sibley Nature Center, 1987-2004
  
  
• Executive Director of the Sibley Nature Center, 2005-present
  
  
• Continuing Education instructor, Midland College, 1982 and 1983
  
  
• Part-time horticulture instructor- Midland College, 1999-2001
  
  
• Consultant to oil companies, schools and ranches for outdoor learning areas, nature trail design, bird checklists, plant surveys, and outdoor education, endangered species surveys 1983-present
  
  
• Civic group programs and school programs - 5000+ given, 1982-present

Civic Activities

• Member of the Statewide Advisory Committee for the Capital Campaign forthe Charles Goodnight Historical Center (2007)
  
  
• Chairperson of the City of Midland Beautification Commission Feb 2006 to present
  
  
• Member of the City of Midland Parks Commission 2000-present; Chairperson 2007
  
  
• Member, Chamber of Commerce Nature Tourism Committee, 2001 to 2004
  
  
• Member of the Board of Directors of Keep Midland Beautiful, 2002-present
  
  
• Member of Planning and Zoning Commission subcommittee to create a Commercial Landscape Ordinance for Midland 2003

Curriculum vitae

• Writer for the Phalarope, a naturalist’s newsletter in Midland, 1964-present
  
  
• Column in Midland College Paper, 1982
  
  
• 2 Articles in West Texas Magazine, 1983
  
  
• Freelance Columnist-and photographer published in the Midland Reporter Telegram, 1999-present
  
  
• Published in Wildlife Today, landowner’s bi-monthly, 2002, 2003
  
  
• Published by Old Sorehead Gazette in Stanton, 2002-04 and the Pecos Enterprise, 2002-present
  
  
• Articles published in Ranch and Rural Living Magazine, February and April, 2003
  
  
• Story in May 2003 and June 2004 issues of Texas Sporting Journal

Photographic credits

Photos published in:

• Stephen Foster – Peterson's Western Medicinal Plants
  
• Geyata Ajilvsgi – Wildflowers of Texas

Used as a reference for the following books;

• Roland Wauer – Heralds of Spring in Texas
  
• Roland Wauer – Butterfly finding in Texas
  
• Julie Ryan – Perennial Gardens for Texas
  
• Sally and Andy Wasowski – Landscaping with Texas Native Plants Region by Region
  
• Geyata Ajilvsgi – Southern Butterfly Gardening
  
• Ryan and Wasowski – Landscaping with Native Texas Plants

Burr Williams receives the 2005 National DAR Conservation Medal in recognition of Outstanding Achievement for Environmental Awareness. The award was presented by the Colonel Theunis Dey Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.