John Mac Carpenter

Fort Stockton | Botanist, Activist

John Mac Carpenter lived in Fort Stockton, and worked in farming and oilfield development. In the conservation field, he was best known for his botanical expertise, especially in Trans Pecos and west Texas plants, particularly wildflowers. He used his knowledge in guiding groups through the Big Bend, and in leading the Native Plant Society of Texas. In later years, his environmental work also included efforts to publicize the air quality problems in the Big Bend, to rally against disposal of nuclear waste in west Texas, to challenge exports of groundwater to El Paso and San Antonio, and to organize a Green Party presence in Texas politics.