ReGenerate Luncheon 2026_‍

‍The Blackwood Educational Land Institute Annual Appeal Event

Thursday, October 22, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

POST Houston
401 Franklin Street (Rooftop)
Houston, Texas, 77004

For four decades, the Blackwood Educational Land Institute has been a place where curiosity takes root, connections flourish, and the next generation discovers the power of caring for the land and one another. Through immersive, hands-on experiences in regenerative agriculture, environmental stewardship, and nature-based education, Blackwood has inspired children, families, educators, and community leaders to cultivate healthier communities and a more resilient future. 

As we celebrate 40 years of impact, growth, and transformation, we invite you to join us for the Second Annual ReGenerate Luncheon set on the rooftop of POST HTX, adjacent to the Blackwood Skyfarm.

ReGenerate Luncheon 2026 Speakers & Honoree

Thomas Wolts - ReGenerate 2026 Keynote

Our keynote speaker for this year will be Thomas Woltz, a visionary landscape architect whose transformative work has fundamentally reshaped the civic, cultural, and ecological identity of Houston. As the Senior Principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Woltz approaches Houston, not just as an urban sprawl, but as a dynamic ecosystem. His signature methodology of marrying deep botanical research with cultural storytelling has given Houstonians some of their most iconic and healing public sanctuaries including Memorial Park, and The Ismali Center.

‍Mister McKinney - ReGenerate 2026 Host

This year's ReGenerate Luncheon will be hosted by R. W. "Mister" McKinney, a historian, educator, and preservation advocate dedicated to bringing Houston's rich history to life. Through Mister McKinney's Historic Houston, he has spent decades connecting people of all ages with the city's neighborhoods, architecture, cultural heritage, and the stories that shaped the nation's fourth-largest city. Known for his engaging storytelling, McKinney has educated thousands through guided tours, classroom programs, lectures, public events, and his signature Houston History Bus, a mobile classroom exploring Houston's historic districts, landmarks, and diverse communities.

‍Joy Warren - ReGenerate 2026 Honoree

We are proud to recognize Joy Warren as our ReGenerate 2026 Honoree for her outstanding leadership and dedication to philanthropy, conservation, and community-building. As a longtime advocate for environmental stewardship and healthy landscapes, Joy has directly supported efforts to make Houston a more beautiful, resilient, and connected city than ever before by continuously investing in the people, land, and institutions that help our communities flourish.

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Cath Conlon - Founder of Blackwood

Cath Conlon founded Blackwood Educational Land Institute with a simple but ambitious vision: to reconnect people with the land and inspire a deeper understanding of the natural systems that sustain us. She believes that when people experience nature firsthand - growing food, restoring ecosystems, and learning alongside one another - they develop the knowledge, confidence, and sense of responsibility needed to create lasting change.

For more than three decades, Cath has devoted her work to building places where curiosity flourishes, communities grow stronger, and environmental stewardship becomes a way of life.

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ReGenerate Luncheon 2026 Acknowlegements & Thanks

HOST COMMITTEE

• Sheila Blake
• Anna & Edward Chuk
• Gemma Chuk
• Stacey Gillman
• Matt Graham
• Jackie Hansen
• Meena Jolipoli
• Jeff Kaplan
• Carolyn & Gabriel Lopez
• Marlin Murdoch
• Karen and Harvey Newton
• Megan Parks
• Eli Quezada
• Justin Rahman
• M.A. Reed
• Lisa Tagliarino
• Jennifer Touchet
• Joy Warren
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BLACKWOOD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Sheila Blake
• Catherine Delano
• Paula Finley
• Jeff Kaplan
• Megan Parks
• Justin Rahman
• Laverne Williams

BLACKWOOD STAFF

• Sam Cummings
• Hayley Guerra
• Kim McCorkle
• Kimberly Meeks
• Ana Owens
• Brian Russell
• Consula Uresti
• Sarah Weisfeld
• Andrew Whit
• Sarah Yashinskie

Join us in cultivating a future where people, nature, and community thrive.

Supporting Blackwood is an investment in a healthier, more connected future. Your support helps create meaningful experiences that inspire environmental stewardship, nurture curiosity, and empower people of all ages to build lasting relationships with the natural world.