About Us

Environmental Fund of Texas is a Donor Advised Fund comprised of a fund director, fund administrator, and advisory committee.

Founder and Director

George P. Avery, better known as Buzz, is the founder of the fund.  He grew up in northern New Mexico before moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas.  That is when he fell in love with the hill country with its rolling hills and rivers.  

Buzz came to realize how important protecting the environment was while studying to get his teacher’s certification in World Geography.  Before becoming a teacher for 11 years, Buzz worked with his father, James Avery, in Kerrville, Texas, which furthered his appreciation for the natural areas of central Texas.  After securing a teaching position in Austin, Buzz became active with various environmental groups, particularly the Sierra Club, where he served as an officer for many years.  Additionally, Mr. Avery was appointed to the City of Austin Environmental Board where he served for 11 years, four as chairman. 

Through all these formative years, Buzz traveled throughout Texas, the United States, Central and South America, and Europe experiencing how other cultures in the world managed their environment, for better or worse.  It is through this broad base of experiences that he decided to create a permanent fund to support efforts to preserve and protect the natural environment of Texas for future generations.

Fund Administrator

Rachel Rommel-Crump oversees the grant making process and is the main point of contact for the Fund.

Rachel’s provided leadership and support for a range of conservation, advocacy, and community engagement programs for wildlife, endangered species, and natural resources for close to 20 years—both in Texas and abroad. She holds a Masters in Wildlife Science from Texas A&M University.

Rachel’s honored to work with EFT to help bring much-needed support for on-the-ground conservation efforts in Texas.

Advisory Committee