Personnel
Forrest S. Smith
South Texas Natives Coordinator
Forrest is the Coordinator for the South Texas Natives Project (STN) at CKWRI. He was born and raised near Mullin, Texas. He grew up in a rural area and enjoyed a variety of experiences in the outdoors, from ranching and livestock production to wildlife recreation. It was here he developed an awareness of the importance of native ecosystems, and of the many threats to them. He received a B.S. in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2003. While a student at TAMUK in 2001, Forrest began work with STN. He has worked for the program in various capacities since, including student technichian (2001-2003), research associate (2003-2005), native plant collections and evaluations manager (2005-2008), interim coordinator (2008), and project coordinator (2009-present).
His work with STN has encompassed a variety of duties, and he has significant experience with all aspects of the program. He has helped collect and organize over 1,800 native seed collections from south Texas, providing a significant repository of seed collections for project use. Forrest also led efforts to evaluate more than 40 species of native plants for commercialization potential through field planting across the region, and he has helped select and develop many of the native plant releases made by STN and partners since the projects inception. He has authored or co-authored release proposals and supporting materials for 8 native seed releases, and assisted with 4 other releases. He has organized and lead restoration planting experiments and research plantings on 11 different private ranches in south Texas, as well as on several state owned properties.
He was a contributing editor and principle photographer for the Restoration Manual for Native Habitats of South Texas, published by CKWRI in 2007. Forrest is an active photographer, whose photos have appeared in numerous publications, including the covers of the TAMUK Discovery Magazine, Rangelands Magazine, CKWRI First 25 Years Book, and the CKWRI Annual Report. He has won photography contests held by the Texas Section of the Society for Range Management (twice) and Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society. He has authored numerous popular and extension publications dealing with native and exotic plants and restoration in south Texas, and frequently makes presentations to the public in support of the STN mission of promoting the use of native plants in conservation activities in the region.
His professional interests center on the restoration and management of native south Texas plants. Current projects include a variety of experiments to develop effective restoration methodology for the variety of habitats in south Texas, and the development of additional native seed releases in order to provide high quality, diverse native seed mixes for south Texas consumers. He currently serves on TPWD’s Land Owner Incentive Program Private Lands Advisory Board Review Panel and the Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Control Board. Professional memberships include the Society for Range Management, Society for Ecological Restoration, and the Native Plant Society of Texas. He is also a frequent contributor to and past member of the TAMUK Range Plant Identification Team, and provides frequent consultation to CKWRI graduate students on plant identification and taxonomy.
Outside of work, Forrest is an ardent outdoorsman who enjoys saltwater fishing, wing shooting, and traditional bow hunting. He and his wife Patricia have 2 children, Mary Anna and Grant. Hobbies around the house include cooking, native plant gardening and entertaining two energetic kids!
Keith Pawelek
Production Manager
Keith was born and raised in Jourdanton, Texas, where he learned the art of farming through the use of his family property. Keith received his B.S. in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2005. As an undergraduate, Keith was active on the Plant Identification Team, President of the Student Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, and a member of the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society. With his diverse background in agriculture, wildlife, and habitat, Keith first joined South Texas Natives in 2003 as a student worker. Upon graduation, he became a more permanent member of the team as a Research Associate, and now serves as Production Manager. His primary duties involve growing, evaluating, and selecting native plant species and coordinating seed increases of those species for commercial use. His farming background aids the project when it comes to agronomic applications and technologies. Keith’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.
Roberto Obregon
Research Associate
Robert Obregon was born and raised in Mission, Texas where he gained invaluable hands-on experience planting and harvesting a variety of vegetables. Robert earned a B.S. in Agricultural Mechanics with a minor in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&I University in 1989. As an undergraduate, Robert worked for CKWRI with the thornless mesquite project and the deer project. Robert came to South Texas Natives from the Texas Forest Service in 2007. His diverse background in agriculture, mechanics, farming, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and welding leads to his dual responsibilities at South Texas Natives including growing and harvesting native seeds and maintaining equipment. Robert enjoys spending time on the family ranches in Duval and Kleberg counties. He is married to Dr. Zonia Garcia-Obregon and they have two sons, Robert Jr. and Joel. Together, they enjoy hunting, fishing, traveling and gardening.
Annette Peterson
Office Coordinator
Annette, a native of Kansas City, has been the Office Coordinator for South Texas Natives since December 2006. She provides expertise in financial and overall administrative management. She focuses on the organization and tracking of grants and private accounts. She oversees the general maintenance within the office along with other duties such as newsletters, editing, and website updates.
Annette received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in Horticulture and has worked in the sales and marketing industry for 17 years. She also worked for Epiphany Episcopal School in Kingsville as an administrative assistant with an emphasis on finance. Annette is married to Pete Peterson, head men’s basketball coach at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Annette and Pete have two daughters, Hannah and Leah.
