Picnic for the Park 2025 Raises $100,000+
The Board of Directors of Cullinan Park Conservancy is grateful to the donors, sponsors and park supporters who contributed to the success of the 9th Annual Picnic for the Park fundraiser at Sweetwater Country Club.
With nearly 200 guests in attendance, this year’s luncheon raised more than $100,000 for the ongoing preservation and enhancement of Cullinan Park, including the development of LEAP, Learn, Explore & Play, a nature education area for children.
“We are truly grateful to our many sponsors and donors who continue to support our vision of not only preserving and enhancing Cullinan Park but developing and launching LEAP, a nature education area for children,” said Monica Taylor, Board President of Cullinan Park Conservancy. “The key to our success is our partners, the City of Sugar Land and the Parks and Recreation Department, who have been instrumental in helping execute our vision, and the Texas Master Naturalist group, who installed and maintain our bird viewing area and pollinator habitats.”
This year’s luncheon featured Dr. George Archibald, renowned ornithologist and co-founder of the International Crane Foundation. Dr. Archibald shared stories from his organization’s crane habitat projects, along with new methods of captive breeding used to help restore crane populations.
Drawing from his experience with two native Texas cranes, the whooping crane, the world’s rarest crane, and the sandhill crane, the world’s most common crane, Dr. Archibald gave guests a closer look at the mating, migration, feeding and life history of these remarkable birds.
The Houston SPCA Wildlife Center of Texas also returned with education ambassadors to help guests learn more about birds found at Cullinan Park.
2025 Nina Cullinan Award
The Cullinan Park Conservancy Board of Directors was honored to present the 2025 Nina Cullinan Award to Nancy Olson, a steadfast friend and longtime champion of Cullinan Park.
Through years of volunteering at events, offering thoughtful guidance and lending a hand where needed, Nancy has made a lasting impact on the Conservancy and the park community.
“Her dedication to community, education and access to nature has helped lay the groundwork for initiatives like LEAP,” said Taylor. “Thanks to champions like Nancy, Cullinan Park is not just a destination, it’s a promise. A promise to ensure that the beauty and benefits of nature will be here for all who come after us.”
2025 Cullinan Green Award
The 2025 Cullinan Green Award, which recognizes an environmentally conscious business or organization in the Sugar Land area, was awarded to Republic Services.
As an industry leader in residential and commercial applications, Republic Services provides reliable and responsible non-hazardous solid waste collection, waste transfer, waste disposal, recycling and energy services to more than 14 million customers.
2025 Photo Contest Winners
An element of every year’s Picnic for the Park fundraiser is a contest featuring wildlife, flora, bird and landscape photos taken at Cullinan Park.
Sponsored by Oxbow Advisors, LLC, the photo contest winners were announced at the luncheon, and winning photos will be posted on the Cullinan Park Conservancy website.
Sponsor Appreciation
This year’s Healthy Lifestyles Presenting Sponsor was once again Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, a devoted supporter and promoter of healthy lifestyles in the Fort Bend County community, with a focus on the physical and mental benefits of spending time in nature.
Cullinan Park Conservancy is also grateful to the sponsors noted below for their unwavering support:
Premier Birder: St. Luke’s Foundation, H-E-B
Photo Contest: Oxbow Advisors, LLC
Great Blue Heron: Republic Services
Beautiful Butterfly: Kay and Chico Cravens, Doug & Susie Goff and Jimmy & Gay Thompson, Patti & Gary Tuma, Kyle & Mike Nelson, Ann Hamilton, The Millis Group, OcuSOFT Inc., Clark Condon, Jubilee, Will & Janet Cravens, Accredo Packing
Dragonfly: Spartan Wealth Management LLC, Wendy Kelsey, Group 1 Automotive, Sterling McCall Lexus, FB Financial, Perry Homes Foundation, Hassan & Morgan Thomas, Jim McClellan, Fred and Mabel Parks Foundation, John Arcidiacono & James Arcidiacono, Dearborn & Creggs, Councilmember Stewart Jacobson, Si Environmental, Geotest Engineering, Inc., John & Diana Null, Pete & Nancy Olson, Jane Marshall Goodsill, Diana Null & Tracy Pipes Interior Designs, Yazan Yousef & Fathima Sultana, TDECU
Catering: a la carte Catering
“A heartfelt thank you to the Houston SPCA Wildlife Center of Texas, whose education ambassadors help educate the public about birds found at Cullinan Park,” said Taylor. “We’re also indebted to our current, past, emeritus and advisory board members, who are committed to our mission of protecting Cullinan Park’s natural resources and promoting conservation and education about its rich vegetation and wildlife. Last, but not least, thank you to Festivities and Turnkey Events, LLC for once again helping us create another successful event.”