Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. She is also an avid hunter, outdoorswoman, and steward of the land. She has never settled for less than her dreams.
The Texas GLO serves Veterans, funds public education, preserves the Texas coast, provides disaster recover and mitigation, and manages state lands. Commissioner Buckingham’s family were among the first settlers to Texas seven generations ago, and that tough, independent, pioneer spirit is deeply rooted in her personality. True to her Texas roots, her commitment to service began early, serving as
a volunteer firefighter, and attending the Texas A&M Fire School. She made history in 2016 as the first woman elected to the Texas State Senate from Travis County. Without slowing down, she made history again in 2022 when elected as the 29th, and state’s first female Commissioner of the General Land Office, Texas’ oldest state agency. Dawn came from humble roots—growing up on a ranch near the Texas coast and then moved to Central Texas. Wanting to attend college, but without the money to do so, Dawn lived at home, working two jobs to pay her own way through college at the University of Texas at Austin. With endurance of spirit, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and debt-free. It was during college that she met the love of her life and husband of 31 years, Ed Buckingham. Dawn and Ed both received their medical degrees from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, and they have two children. Dawn then went on to become a successful Oculoplastic Surgeon. Her commitment to service and recognition for her work has allowed her to hold leadership positions in local, state, and national medical organizations. Dawn embodies the American Dream. Through hard work, a “never-quit” attitude, and perseverance, she has risen above her circumstances. Becoming a self-made small business owner employing Texans, serving others in her profession and as an elected official, she has always given back to her community. As your Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham brings a lifetime of experience to the office. She is totally committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, and securing the border to keep our communities safe. Social Media Terms of Use—
The Texas General Land Office (GLO) expects conversations which occur on its online communities to be polite and constructive. By visiting any social media web property operated by the Texas General Land Office, users agree to abide by the terms set forth below. The GLO reserves the right to hide or delete comment(s) that violate any of these terms. The GLO also reserves the right to remove and/or block users from GLO online communities for abuse of the Terms of Use. User-generated posts will be rejected or removed if possible when the agency considers the content of a post:
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06/01/2026
Construction is coming along nicely on the new Rollover Pass Pier!
Commissioner Buckingham recently traveled down to the Texas coast to check out the incredible progress of the 1,000-foot-long fishing pier on the Bolivar Peninsula.
The Rollover Pass project will not only strengthen vital habitats for marine life in the area, but it will also enhance recreational opportunities for local coastal communities and tourists.
Thank you for your ongoing support and stay tuned for more progress updates in the near future!
06/01/2026
Hurricane Season starts TODAY, Texans!
As someone who grew up on the Texas coast, Commissioner Buckingham knows how preparation can save lives.
Whether you live along the coast or inland, now is the time to build your preparedness kit, review evacuation plans, and stay connected to weather alerts.
Stay prepared with info from the GLO:
recovery.texas.gov/Preparedness
05/31/2026
Hurricane Season begins TOMORROW, June 1st!
Commissioner Buckingham is urging Texans to before the first storm.
Take action by:
🚨 Assembling an evacuation to-go bag
🚗 Review potential evacuation routes
📱 Sign up for local weather alerts
Prepared Texans are safer Texans! Make your plan today.
Find more information at recovery.texas.gov/Preparedness.
05/30/2026
In Temple, regional leaders received an update this week about the GLO-funded study producing predictive modeling and testing river gauges to better prepare for future flooding events, which will help save lives and protect property.
The GLO’s Leon River Watershed and Cowhouse Creek Watershed Flood Study is developing surface and groundwater flow models to identify placement for flood early warning system sensors and implement flood-risk reduction and high-water safety education programs.
Commissioner Buckingham recently met with newly elected Galveston Mayor John Paul Listowski to discuss how the GLO works with local communities to safeguard the Texas coast.
The GLO looks forward to working with you and the City of Galveston, Texas - Government to improve the lives of Galveston families!
05/29/2026
The stranded "Buccaneer" shrimp boat has been safely and successfully removed from Crystal Beach.
Commissioner Buckingham announced that the GLO, Galveston County Sheriff's Office, Galveston County, Texas Office of Emergency Management, U.S. Coast Guard, and the vessel's owner saw the release of the 56' shrimp boat from its grounding place on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Thank you to Heavy D and the local, state, and federal agencies who helped to ensure the boat's safe extraction from the beach throughout this complex salvage operation.
“The GLO is dedicated to ensuring our waterways and coastal ecosystems that support commercial and recreational fishing, as well as tourism, are safe and free of environmental hazards." - Commissioner Buckingham
Commissioner Buckingham is pleased to announce a partnership between the GLO and Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia's Office for the successful removal of an abandoned, derelict sailboat, a 24-foot fiberglass recreational vessel.
They were joined at the press conference by Captain David Jasper with the Harris County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit and Russell Lavigne, the CEO and Director of Dead Boats Society, at Clear Lake Park for the removal of the sailboat.
"I want to thank Commissioner Adrian Garcia's office for working to ensure the waters in Harris County are free of these navigational, environmental and safety hazards.
We appreciate your collaboration and look forward to continuing this work together." - Commissioner Buckingham
The Texas General Land Office has teamed up with elected officials to share an important message: preparedness saves lives.
✅ Be informed.
✅ Make a plan.
✅ Stay ready.
Watch this video to learn how you can protect your family and community before disaster strikes.
05/28/2026
Commissioner Buckingham spoke about her deep admiration and love for our Veterans at a Memorial Day ceremony this week.
There's no greater act of love than sacrificing your own life to protect others, which is what the men and women of our U.S. Military do every single day.
The GLO will always honor the heroes in uniform who answer the call of duty to defend our nation and our freedom.
05/27/2026
The Texas General Land Office joined Harris County leaders last week to break ground on Phase 2 of the Brookglen Stormwater Detention Basin project in the City Of La Porte — an important investment in flood mitigation and community resilience.
The GLO is proud to support projects that protect Texas families, strengthen infrastructure, and reduce future flood risk.
05/29/2026
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