Serving Texans, Protecting Texas

From classrooms to coastlines, veterans’ homes to historic landmarks, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) marked 2025 as a year defined by scale, stewardship, and service. Under the leadership of Dawn Buckingham, the GLO advanced education funding, strengthened border security, restored irreplaceable Texas history, expanded veterans’ services, protected coastal communities, and completed major disaster recovery milestones—touching nearly every corner of the Lone Star State.

Now entering 2026, the agency’s third-year accomplishments reflect both the breadth of its mission and the tangible ways it shapes daily life for Texans.

Investing in Education Through Energy Leadership

One of the GLO’s most consequential achievements in 2025 came through its stewardship of state lands and natural resources to benefit Texas schoolchildren. Last spring, the GLO signed an agreement with EOG Resources, Inc. to explore produced water treatment in West Texas—an initiative that supports energy innovation while directly benefiting students through the Permanent School Fund (PSF).

That agreement builds on momentum from six Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) leases awarded in 2023, which are projected to generate an estimated $10 billion over the next 30 years. Together, these leases cover roughly half a million acres of state-owned coastal waters and underscore Texas’ leadership in energy production.

The impact on education is historic. In 2025, the Texas PSF Corporation announced a record-setting $4.8 billion distribution to public education for the 2026–27 biennium—one of the largest education funding contributions in state history.

Preserving the Alamo and Texas History for Future Generations

The GLO also made major strides in safeguarding Texas’ most sacred historic site: the Alamo.

Among the year’s milestones was the launch of the Commissioner’s Map: Defenders Heritage Map of Texas, a one-of-a-kind work honoring the Alamo Defenders and Survivors through detailed land grant history and artwork inspired by the Alamo Sacristy frescos.

In May, Commissioner Buckingham joined local leaders for the topping-out ceremony of the Texas Cavaliers Education Center, a state-of-the-art learning facility scheduled to open in 2026. Designed to bring Texas history to life, the center will offer immersive educational experiences for students from every corner of the state.

The GLO, working with the Alamo Trust, Inc. and Rockbridge, also acquired the historic Menger and Crockett Hotels—two iconic properties adjacent to the Alamo. The acquisition ensures these landmarks will be thoughtfully integrated into the broader Alamo experience while continuing to welcome visitors from around the world.

On Veterans Day, the GLO and Alamo Trust rededicated the Spirit of Sacrifice monument, known as the Alamo Cenotaph, following a meticulous preservation effort that restored its marble, repaired drainage systems, and stabilized the structure—honoring not just stone and sculpture, but sacrifice itself.

Expanding Support for Texas Veterans

Veterans remained a central focus throughout 2025. The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) marked its 79th year of service with record-breaking results, closing more than $464 million in home, land, and home improvement loans during the fiscal year.

Since Commissioner Buckingham took office, the VLB has assisted more than 6,000 veterans, contributing to over $17 billion in total benefits since the program’s inception. In 2025, the VLB increased its home loan cap, added 14 new lenders to expand access, and recorded its highest land-loan totals of the year.

The year also brought heartfelt moments, including a record-setting Valentines for Vets campaign that delivered nearly 38,000 cards to residents of Texas State Veterans Homes.

In March, the GLO celebrated the opening of the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home in Fort Worth—a 100,000-square-foot facility honoring the legacy of the pioneering World War II aviators. Meanwhile, progress continued on expanding the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, ensuring burial space and dignity for veterans and their families for the next decade.

Strengthening Border Security and Public Safety

Border security remained a priority in 2025, beginning with the completion of 1.5 miles of border wall paneling on a newly acquired 1,402-acre GLO ranch in Starr County along the Rio Grande. The project moved forward less than 24 hours after the property acquisition, reflecting a rapid response approach.

The GLO also worked to identify state-managed lands vulnerable to cartel tunnel activity, coordinating with federal partners as tunnel discoveries in San Diego and El Paso prompted expanded detection efforts. These actions reinforced the GLO’s role in supporting operational control of the Texas border.

Protecting the Coast and Preparing for the Future

Along the Gulf Coast, the GLO completed and launched major coastal resilience projects. Highlights included the largest beach nourishment effort in Texas history at McFaddin Beach, restoration work at Rollover Pass, and multiple projects on Galveston Island and South Padre Island.

Community engagement also played a role. The 2025 Adopt-A-Beach cleanups drew thousands of volunteers who removed more than 125,000 pounds of trash across Texas shorelines, while the Coastal Roundup at South Padre Island combined education, innovation, and family-friendly outreach.

Delivering Disaster Recovery and Resilience

The GLO closed the year having administered more than $1 billion in disaster recovery and mitigation funding in 2025 alone. A major milestone came with the completion of the final homes under the Hurricane Harvey Homeowner Assistance Program, contributing to more than 9,600 families receiving safe, resilient housing statewide.

The launch of the Texas Disaster Information System, developed with Texas A&M University and state partners, marked a leap forward in disaster preparedness—providing communities with accessible, actionable data to plan for future hazards.

Stewardship of Land, Water, and Resources

The GLO’s Oil Spill and Derelict Vessel Programs removed abandoned wells, vessels, and pollution from Texas waters, while state land management efforts focused on protecting property rights and supporting Texas’ energy sector.

Commissioner Buckingham also marked legal and regulatory victories related to land use and species listings, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to balancing conservation, property rights, and economic growth.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As Texas’ oldest state agency moves into a new year, the GLO’s 2025 accomplishments reflect a clear throughline: leveraging land, history, and resources to serve people. From classrooms to veterans’ homes, from the Alamo to the Gulf Coast, the work completed under Commissioner Buckingham’s leadership has left a measurable imprint on the state—and set the stage for what comes next.