07/15/2026
For the past seven years, Jacinda and Michael Woloson have been inspiring hundreds of young Texans to discover the outdoors through Kids Wildlife Conservation Day. What began as a way to provide local families access to Hunter Education has grown into one of the area's premier conservation education events, certifying more than 100 young participants each year while introducing countless families to the importance of protecting Texas' natural resources.
Jacinda and her son, Michael, co-founded Kids Wildlife Conservation Day after discovering there were few opportunities nearby for families to participate in Texas' Hunter Education Safety Course. As a mother raising two boys in the heart of Houston, she wanted them to experience the outdoors and develop an appreciation for the wildlife and natural resources that make Texas so unique.
"Growing up in the city, it's difficult for children to understand conservation truly," Jacinda says. "We wanted to create an event where families could see, touch, ask questions, and learn together."
The day features interactive demonstrations led by experienced professionals, including a live presentation on venomous versus non-venomous snakes, a deer necropsy from a legally harvested deer, BB gun and archery shooting galleries, and opportunities to meet a Texas Game Warden to learn about wildlife laws, state resources, and careers in conservation.
Families can also complete the internationally recognized Hunter Education Safety Course together. Parents and children sit side by side in the classroom, taking the same course and exam, making it a true family learning experience. Certification is available for participants ages 9 and older for a small optional fee, while all outdoor demonstrations are open to attendees of any age.
Supported by the Texas Youth Hunting Program, the National Wild Turkey Federation's JAKES Program, and Texas Brigades, the event also includes raffles and giveaways designed to put outdoor gear into the hands of young participants and encourage them to continue exploring the outdoors safely and responsibly.
For Jacinda, the event reflects the values that have shaped her own family. She and her husband have called Hilshire Village home for the past 17 years, where they raised two sons who graduated from Memorial High School and are now pursuing degrees in agriculture at Texas A&M University. Their love of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors inspired much of the event's mission.
Whether introducing a child to archery for the first time or helping an entire family earn their Hunter Education certification together, Jacinda hopes every attendee leaves with a deeper appreciation for Texas wildlife and the responsibility we all share in protecting it.
Kids Wildlife Conservation Day takes place on August 22 at Our Lady of Walsingham. Admission is free, with an optional fee for Hunter Education certification. For more information, contact Jacinda Woloson at 713-459-5536 or mailto:[email protected]
We need certified BAI volunteers to run the range at this event. If you are available please email [email protected]
