On May 20, 2010, BRIT presented wildlife conservationist Ramona Seeligson Bass with the 2010 International Award of Excellence in Conservation at a gala that transformed Fort Worth’s Renaissance Worthington Ballroom into a south Texas prairie landscape, complete with mesquite tree centerpieces and prickly pear cactus plants. The planning committee set out to recognize Mrs. Bass’s first-hand understanding of the importance of responsible, hands-on stewardship of the land and its native wildlife.
With a shared passion for conservation, Mrs. Bass and her husband, Lee Bass are active in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan to save the critically endangered black rhinoceros, which they breed and raise on their South Texas ranch. In 1993, Mr. and Mrs. Bass established the Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation, which provides grants to conservation organizations. In addition Mrs. Bass has served as Vice Chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Outreach and Education Advisory Committee. Mrs. Bass has also been closely involved with the Peregrine Fund for Birds of Prey, which Mr. Bass now chairs. In 2003, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton appointed Mrs. Bass to serve on the National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commission.
Mrs. Bass has become widely known as the transformational leader of the Fort Worth Zoo, having served as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Fort Worth Zoological Association for the past 19 years. She has led the 100-year-old attraction through privatization to its current standing as one of the top zoos in the country, ranked the No. 5 zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and the No. 1 attraction in the DFW Metroplex by Zagat survey. In addition, her family and friends established the Arthur A. Seeligson, Jr. conservation Fund in memory of her father. Administered by the Fort Worth Zoo, the fund supports the conservation of native Texas wildlife and its habitat through grant awards to scientists, educators, and organizations committed to conserving the biodiversity of Texas.
BRIT was honored to have such a renowned and deserving Fort Worth local to receive this prestigious award in a spectacular setting. “I’m thrilled that the Awards Dinner committee put together such a wonderful function,” said gala committee chairwoman Jerri Watt. “Everything was beautiful, from the invitation to the décor; the evening was delightful; and Ramona Bass, the honoree, was outstanding.”
If you missed the 2010 festivities stay tuned for information about the 2011 Annual Event.
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Edward P. Bass |
Toni and Bill Boecker |
Lucy Darden |
Kay Granger |
Dana and Dee Kelly |
Darlene Mann |
Elaine and Tim Petrus |
Gail W. Rawl |
Judith and Tim Sear |
Sara and Peter Sterling |
Ruth Carter Stevenson |
And To Our Corporate Sponsors |
Opuntia engelmannii – Engelmann’s prickly pear |
Crystelle Waggoner Charitable Trust at U. S. Trust |
Argemone aurantiaca – Texas Pricklypoppy |
Corbett Companies |
Fine Line Diversified Development and Sundance Square |
In Kind Sponsor - Star-Telegram and INDULGE |
Castilleja indivisa – Texas Paintbrush |
Amon G. Carter Foundation |
Chesapeake Energy |
Healthpoint, Ltd./University of North Texas Health Science Center |
Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP |
Medical Center of Plano |
Texas Christian University |
Abronia ameliae – Amelia’s sand verbena |
BNSF Foundation |
Fort Worth Zoological Association |
Frost Bank |
Luther King Capital Management |
The Projects Group/JMEG, LP |
Rozanne & Billy Rosenthal |
TD Industries/Beck Group |
Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd |
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show |
And Our Table Hosts |
Opuntia engelmannii – Engelmann’s prickly pear |
Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Bass |
Ramona and Lee Bass |
Anne T. and Robert M. Bass |
Mr. and Mrs. Mark L. Hart III |
Ardon and Iris Moore |
Argemone aurantiaca – Texas pricklypoppy |
Gail Rawl and Lucy Darden |
Castilleja indivisa – Texas Paintbrush |
Mr. and Mrs. Gavin R. Garrett |
Mr. and Mrs. John Kleinheinz |
Rick and Betsy Schaffer |
Patsy C. and Bill J. Zimmerman |
Abronia ameliae – Amelia’s sand verbena |
Jaynie and Dwight Cumming |
Hodges Fund of the Community Foundation of North Texas |
Tom and Therese Moncrief |
And To Our Individual Hosts |
Opuntia engelmannii – Engelmann’s prickly pear |
Kim and Glenn Darden |
Mr. and Mrs. William S. Davis |
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Fortson, Jr. |
Mrs. Helen K. Groves |
Jane and Kevin McGarry |
Capt. Robert (Bob) J. O'Kennon |
Mr. and Mrs. Breck Ray |
Dr. and Mrs. George C. Sumner |
Mr. and Mrs. Duer Wagner, Jr. |
Argemone aurantiaca – Texas pricklypoppy |
Marlene and Jim Beckman |
Dirk E. Eshleman |
Ann and Tim McKinney |
Pati and Bill Meadows |
Darren and Rebecca Nelson |
Mr. and Mrs. David Nivens |
Kimbell and Mitch Wynne |
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Yorio |
Castilleja indivisa – Texas Paintbrush |
Judy and Martin Bowen |
Danny Deen |
Dan E. Lowrance |
Julie and Doug Renfro |
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sterling |
Abronia ameliae – Amelia’s sand verbena |
Scottie and Harry Bartel |
The Honorable and Mrs. Kenneth L. Barr |
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bennett |
Mrs. Mary Louise Cole |
Margaret W. and James B. DeMoss |
Carole and Bob Findlay |
John and Kathy Hickey |
Kitty and Cleve Lancaster |
Pam and Bill Lawrence |
Dr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Mahler |
Mr. and Mrs. Richard J. Millman |
Dr. and Mrs. B. O'Dell Molpus |
Lesa and John Oudt |
Sara and Sy Sohmer |
Juliane Wagener |
Suzy Williams |
