Dwayne Estes

Member since: 2024

Dr. Dwayne Estes is the executive director and co-founder of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute based at Austin Peay State University where he is also a full-time biology professor. Known as the "Prairie Preacher," he is raising awareness about the largely lost and forgotten historical grasslands that once stretched across twenty-three states from New York to Texas. In addition to grassland conservation and restoration, his other research interests include plant diversity, plant conservation, natural history, and historical ecology. No stranger to the GCA, he has received a club commendation as well as the Zone IX Conservation Commendation in 2022. In 2018 and 2023 he spoke at the GCA National Affairs & Legislation Conference to GCA club members from across the country. He has also spoken to various clubs and was the keynote speaker at the 2022 Zone IX Meeting. Dwayne has developed a close association with the GCA, and his work embodies its purpose. We look forward to an even deeper relationship with him going forward.