The Brawling Bristols are at it again! After coming in second place in the 2023 Birding Brawl (119 species!), they're ready to compete for the gold. Show your support for Jennifer and Valarie by donating to their team!

Jennifer L. Bristol is the author of Parking Lot Birding: A Fun Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas and Cemetery Birding: An Unexpected Guide to Discovering Birds in Texas. She recently contributed a chapter to her father’s book, Texas State Parks: The First 100 Years 1923-2023. She is the former director of the Texas Children in Nature network at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department where she developed a grassroots movement around the need to better connect children and families with nature for a healthier and happier future. For her efforts to connect youth with nature she received the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, Enduring Dedication Award and the Phil Hardburger Park Conservancy, Nature Hero Award. In 2018 and 2019 she received the Greater Texas Birding Classic, Most Valuable Birder Award.

She has been a park ranger, business owner, marketing executive, and worked in the Texas film industry. Having a deep sense of service, she has served on the Environmental Commission (secretary), Downtown Commission – (vice chair) for the City of Austin, and on numerous national and local boards. Bristol resides in Austin with her husband and four charismatic dogs.

Valarie Bristol served as President of Travis Audubon and nine years on the Board. She worked to add additional lots to Chaetura Canyon and to negotiate the conservation easement on Baker Sanctuary, which endowed its management and built the house, barn and restrooms.  From 2004 to 2008, she served as Director of External Affairs for The Nature Conservancy of Texas where she worked on campaigns to fund land conservation, represented TNC at the Legislature, and served as the TNC representative on many coalitions such as the Texas Land Trust Council. Valarie was President of TLTC from 2004 to 2006. From 2000 to 2004, Valarie was State Director for the Trust for Public Land and worked on campaigns for conservation in San Antonio and oversaw the purchases of over 4000 acres on the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer. She served as a Travis County Commissioner from 1991 to 1997 and helped develop the Balcones Canyonland Preserve system.

Some fun facts about Jennifer and Valarie:
Favorite birding spot: Jennifer: Big Bend NP, Valarie: Rio Grande Valley
Year they became a birder: Jennifer: 2014, Valarie: 1993
Most recent lifer: Jennifer and Valarie: Dusky-capped Flycatcher

As part of Birdathon 2024, four skilled birders will compete in a big day of birding on April 6th. Who do you think will see the most species? Throw your support behind one or both teams by donating to their fundraising page. Winner will be announced April 8th. All proceeds benefit Travis Audubon’s Birdathon 2024 Fundraiser.