Founder, President

Ira is deeply rooted in Iraan, the Pecos County community, and the Pecos River. His conservation work has been mostly focused in the Hill Country and in Austin where Ira placed a conservation easement on his family ranch in 1998. Ira was a founding board member of the Hill Country Alliance and held leadership positions with the League of Conservation Voters, Bamberger Ranch, and numerous other conservation efforts in Texas.

Vice President

Julie grew up on the Nueces River and has held leadership roles with the Devils River Conservancy, Nueces River Authority, and Hill Country Alliance. Julie’s mom and mentor, Sky Lewey, a well-respected riparian restoration teacher and river advocate, was a founding board member of Friends of the Pecos River.

Secretary/Treasurer

Colin previously served as the executive director of the Pecos River Resolution Corporation (PRRC) and now serves on FPR board providing continuity and invaluable relationships and connections throughout the watershed. PRRC, conducted a “fact finding” effort of Pecos River issues that led to the 2016 book, Bitter Waters by Patrick Dearen. This book is literally our manual, historic reference, and launching point.

Board Member

Emily grew up on a ranch outside Iraan and graduated from Iraan High School in 2020. After a semester of research in Botswana, Africa, she graduated from Tarleton State University in 2023 with a BS in Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences, a minor in biology, and a certification in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—she is now pursuing a master's degree in marine biology at Texas A&M University. Emily is dedicated to West Texas conservation and the future of Friends of the Pecos River!

Board Member

William oversees operations on his wife’s family’s ranch northwest of Iraan.  The Pecos River is the northern boundary of the property.  Efforts began a few years ago to restore the ranch to, as close as possible, a natural state by deferring livestock grazing, applying herbicides to invasive brush species, and improving habitat for wildlife such as deer, turkey, and quail.  It’s the family’s hope that improving the surface of the property will also benefit the health of the river.

Executive Director

Christy Muse, founder and 12-year executive director of the Hill Country Alliance and former chief external relations officer for Shield Ranch, was a founding board member of Friends of the Pecos River. In Spring 2023, she resigned from the governing board to assume the role of executive director.

Youth Education and Community Outreach Coordinator

Patina grew up in Iraan and graduated from Iraan High School. She loved being involved in agriculture growing up and wanted to continue working in the industry as an agricultural science teacher. Her interest in science led her to spend time as a biology , chemistry, and physics teacher as well.  After investing 32 years in public education, she retired to pursue her love of teaching in a new setting as FPR”s youth education coordinator.

Communications Intern

A West Texas native, Abbye finds her passion at the intersection of communication and conservation. Abbye received her B.S. in Public Relations from Texas State University in 2023, and is currently pursuing her M.Ag in Natural Resource Conservation at Sul Ross State University