Bob Ayres

Austin | Poet, Landowner, Philanthropist

Mr. Ayres is a poet, and with his family, a landowner, philanthropist and conservationist. He studied creative writing in the Warren Wilson Program for Writers, and has published a chatbook, “Shadow of Wings”, that clearly reflects his interest and care for nature. As the managing partner for his family’s ranchlands in Real, Jeff Davis and Travis County, he has embraced conservation easements to ensure their long-time protection. He serves as a trustee of the Shield-Ayres Foundation, which has supported a number of non-profit efforts in the conservation field. He is also president and CEO of the Shield Ranch Foundation, which operates El Ranchito, a camp that exposes young people to the outdoors and environmental education on his family’s Shield Ranch near Austin. As a volunteer, he has served on the boards of the Land Trust Alliance, Nature Conservancy of Texas, and the Hill Country Conservancy.