Elaine Magruder is a member of a fourth-generation ranching family in West Texas.  Both parents  were her teachers and role models for giving back and contributing to the community . Mr. Magruder served as Mayor of Midland and was involved in many organizations. To honor the Magruder family’s legacy of giving, Elaine started on her own journey of caring for others and her community through her church, mission work, in leadership positions with multiple nonprofit organizations and as the founder of the I-20 Wildlife Preserve. She was a board member of the United Way, Hospice of Midland, Manor Park, Trinity School, and Trinity Episcopal Church, to name a few. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Midland.

Elaine currently serves on the board of the Abell-Hanger Foundation and the Texan By Nature board of directors.  The Texan By Nature was founded by Laura Bush, to conserve the natural resources in our state.  Both ladies share a passion for restorative projects and the stewardship for Texas lands.  Elaine’s passion continues as she is actively involved with the I20 Wildlife Preserves and shares that caring heart with her church and many friends and family members.

In First Lady Laura Bush’s book, “Spoken From the Heart”, she wrote about her dear friend, Elaine Magruder, who along with members of her church brought Hospice to Midland in 1980 and later helped start Hospice in Vietnam.  Elaine’s legacy of giving is embedded in her heart as she was a special caregiver for the First Lady’s mother, Jenna Welch, during the time she resided at Manor Park.  The I-20 Wildlife Preserves ‘ Master Plan includes a Jenna Welch Nature Study Center to honor Mrs. Welch who helped maintain the preserves and was an avid bird watcher.