Chris Ebling holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and a Master’s in Resource Interpretation from the Arthur Templeton School of Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University. Chris applies his formal training through a wide variety of volunteer, civic, and educational programs. Chris and his wife Karen are active together as Texas Master Naturalists, a corps of volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas. He teaches courses covering forest ecology, forest management, dendrology, tree identification techniques, and entomology to other master naturalist groups throughout Texas and to other civic and educational organizations. Chris has served as the land committee chair of the Connemara Conservancy Foundation, a land trust focused on preserving critical landscapes across North Texas.
Chris worked professionally in the telecommunications, computer, and defense industries over a 35-year career, with leadership positions in product management and marketing, engineering, operations management, and customer support. A native of Michigan, he and Karen live in Plano, a northern suburb of Dallas TX, and they enjoy projects at their recreational farm in nearby Fannin County. Notable projects include the management of a 15-acre seasonal wetland, built in cooperation with the State of Texas and the US National Resource Conservation Service, to benefit migratory waterfowl and ancillary species as well as native prairie restoration. They have five adult children, who have added beloved spouses and precious grandchildren to their extended family.
A Ruling Elder and Deacon at Canyon Creek Presbyterian in Richardson, Texas, Chris serves as the chair of the Environmental Committee, which has resulted in PC(USA) recognition of CCPC as an Earthcare Congregation since 2015. Chris is known for his passion for missions and justice issues. As past Chair of the church Mission Committee, he has participated in a variety of local and international mission efforts. Together with his wife Karen, Chris has taught an adult Sunday School class since 2005, focusing a large and lively group of adults on the Christian response to contemporary social and environmental justice issues.
Chris made his first trip to Malawi in February of 2018 and immediately felt a connection to the Malawian people and a strong call to serve. Since April of 2018, Chris has served as the forestry advisor to Villages in Partnership. In order to leverage the strengths of past VIP trip participants from North Texas, Chris has established the Tejas Friends of VIP organization to expand awareness of VIP within the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
