For many years, Mr. Fritz carried on a full private practice as a consumer credit attorney, while also managing to participate in a variety of Texas conservation efforts. For example, he helped build several of the key environmental groups in the Texas, from local groups such as the Dallas Audubon Society, to statewide organizations such as the Natural Areas Preservation Association, the Texas Committee on Natural Resources, and the Texas chapter of the Nature Conservancy, in addition to national groups like the Forest Reform Network. Throughout, Mr. Fritz has also been active as an environmental attorney: he filed the first lawsuit under the National Environmental Policy Act, and has been diligent in using the Endangered Species Act and National Forest Management Reform Act as tools to protect the Texas National Forests from clearcutting. Finally, he has been one of the key citizen activists who have been responsible for the acquisition of the Big Thicket National Preserve.