John Griffin

John Griffin joined the Shield Land Stewardship Group in January 2025 as the land steward for Shield Ranch Camp Wood in Real County. In this role, John manages daily operations on the ranch, focusing on wildlife habitat and range management, with special attention to endangered species. He also oversees infrastructure maintenance and repairs, including the spring-fed water system. 

John grew up in Snyder, Texas where his first jobs were growing plants and maintaining landscapes. After graduating high school, John entered the Navy where he served four years in Meridian, Mississippi, leaving with an honorable discharge for college. He attended Texas Tech where he studied horticulture, range and wildlife management, forestry, and bioremediation.

John owned his own company for more than 20 years where he held a Texas irrigator’s license, Landscape Irrigation Auditor’s Certification, and was among the first EPA WaterSense partners in Texas. His company managed water usage and consulted large-scale homeowners association clients. John is a past president of the Dallas Irrigation Association, giving back to his industry through advocacy and serving on several committees for the International Irrigation Association.  

While raising two wonderful daughters, Audrey and Lilly, with his wife Amanda, the Griffin family took every opportunity to spend time in nature. Today, John and Amanda live on Shield Ranch Camp Wood. One of John’s favorite pastimes is guiding people on the Nueces River. In addition, he and Amanda volunteer for the local Keep Texas Beautiful chapter and are fierce advocates for night skies and natural spaces.