2 Year Old 1,500-Mile xTexas Trail Names Fort Worth’s Laura Wood as Executive Director
For Immediate Release June 18, 2026
From: Melissa Balmer Melissa@xTexas.org Cell (360)265-2883 (please text first)
Images + video from the xTx can be found HERE.
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(Austin Texas) The xTexas Trail Association (the xTx) names Fort Worth based Development Professional Laura Wood the new Executive Director as the young trail organization celebrates its second year mark. The 1,500-mile xTx is the first cross-state hiking, cycling, and horse riding adventure trail for the state and is already featured on both the Ride with GPS and FarOut digital navigation apps.
xTx founder Charlie Gandy couldn’t be more excited, “Laura has been a fan and following of the xTexas Trail Project from its very beginning. We’re thrilled to have her caliber of talent to guide us as we move into our stewardship phase, putting meat on the bones of this once in a generation project so that it flourishes for the future.”
A 6th generation Texas, Laura brings twenty years of experience in successful fundraising, marketing and project management in the non profit realm. She has facilitated over $185 million through grant writing, capital campaigns and endowment growth.
Laura shares, "Texans need this trail. Did you know the national average for public land in a US state is 40%? While the percentage of land that is public in Texas is closer to 4%? I encourage you to take a look at the current xTx route. See how it weaves through mostly rural Texas from east to west, straight through charming, scenic towns like Livingston, LaGrange, Bandera, and Marfa. Creating connectivity with welcoming, colorful, historic trailhead towns across our great state will benefit our entire economy, and be a shared wonder for all who traverse our unique array of landscapes.
The xTx is in its infancy now, but at 1,505 miles it already ranks as one of the longest public state-wide trails in the country. It’s not a scenic trail yet like many of the others. That will take visionary planning and fundraising so I hope you’ll join me in building this legacy.”
As the Associate Director of Philanthropy for the Nature Conservancy, Laura began two fundraising boards, expanding TNC’s reach and raising $500,000 in new individual gifts. During her time leading her family’s Dorothy Marcille Wood Foundation she worked in collaboration with numerous public and private agency leadership for endangered species management, resulting in one million acres conserved across private lands in West Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
Laura has also served as the Board of Director for the Texas Land Trust Council, the Lena Pope Home, Inc., and currently serves as a Board Officer for the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management degree and is an MBA candidate for December 2027. Laura was named as a local “protector of the wild” in Fort Worth Texas Magazine.
About the xTexas Trail (the xTx)
The xTx begins near the Texas/Louisiana border on the south end of Toledo Bend reservoir. It travels through the heart of rural Texas, and includes bayous and piney forests, the most remote parts of the Hill Country, the Big Bend region, the Chihuahuan desert, the Davis Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, and the Franklin Mountains before ending in El Paso on the New Mexico border.
In its current iteration, the xTx route utilizes public paved, gravel, and dirt roads and singletrack, as well as state and national parks including the Sam Houston Forest, and Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. For thru hiking the xTx is meant to be traveled seasonally from late fall through early spring due to heat and water considerations. At this time it is only recommended for seasoned, skilled hikers and cyclists knowledgeable about self-supported adventure travel.
Founder Charlie Gandy completed his full inaugural thru hike of the xTx with two friends on March 29, 2026. xTx trail friend and supporter Rhea Wallace bike packed the entire route in 2025.
Texans are already showing tremendous support for the xTx. The project already has 4,510 Instagram followers, 2k+ email subscribers, 500+ FaceBook followers, and 150+ people have volunteered their time, talent, and treasure. The xTx has been featured in 40+ media stories including CNN’s 5 Good Things podcast, the Good News Network, NPR’s All Things Considered, and the Texas Monthly, Texas Public Radio, and the Texas Standard.
The xTx is a 501(c)3. Learn more at xTexas.org
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