Nov. 20, 2009

Celebrate Holiday Season at a Texas State Park

AUSTIN, Texas — Vow this holiday season to start a new family tradition that celebrates the great outdoors and Texas history by visiting one of the more than a dozen Texas state parks and historic sites hosting special holiday events for all ages. From a Christmas sing-along around a woodland campfire to a pancake breakfast with Santa, the holiday spirit shines through at a park near you. And, don’t miss the 40th annual tree lighting celebration begun by President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson in 1970.

Nov. 18, 2009

Toyota ShareLunker 473 Comes From Anderson County

ATHENS, Texas — The latest Toyota ShareLunker had a short ride to its new quarters at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center: It was caught from a private lake in Anderson County only a few miles away.

Nov. 12, 2009

$1.5 million Federal Grant to Expand Texas Artificial Reef Program

AUSTIN, Texas — The sand-bottom Gulf of Mexico provides almost no natural reefs for marine life, which is why the Texas Artificial Reef Program was created to provide structures for a thriving ocean ecosystem of aquatic invertebrates and the fish that feed on them. A $1.5 million federal grant will fund creation or enhancement of seven reef sites off the Texas coast in coming years.

Nov. 10, 2009

TPWD Receives $2 Million Donation from Battleship TEXAS Foundation

AUSTIN, Texas — The Battleship TEXAS Foundation has donated $2 million to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to go toward constructing a dry berth for the aging landmark vessel moored at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in LaPorte.

Nov. 5, 2009

Award-Winning Outdoor Photography on Display at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

ATHENS, Texas — Photographs representing the best work of outdoor photographers from across the nation will be on display at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center through December 13.

North Texas Students Soar in National Art Contest

ATHENS, Texas — Students from Dream Art Academy in Carrollton and Richland High School swept six of the top 12 places in the Texas Junior Duck Stamp competition, including Best of Show.

Land Deal to Double Size of Village Creek State Park

AUSTIN, Texas — Village Creek State Park in southeast Texas will more than double in size as a result of action taken Thursday by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission directing the acquisition of roughly 1,420 acres of undeveloped timber land owned by The Conservation Fund.

Oct. 30, 2009

eBird Kiosks Debut at Texas State Parks

AUSTIN, Texas — A new system in Texas state parks that are part of the World Birding Center network in the Lower Rio Grande Valley will allow bird watchers to record their sightings and use an online, interactive database to see what other birders have reported, creating a continuously updated record of bird observations for each site where it is featured.

Oct. 28, 2009

First North Texas Outdoor Expo Premiers Nov. 14

DALLAS, Texas — The first ever North Texas Outdoor Expo will take place at the Elm Fork Shooting Sports facility in Dallas on Nov. 14, featuring activities such as fitness obstacle course, bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, archery, target shooting, rock climbing, and more.

First Texas Geocache Challenge Debuts Nov. 1

AUSTIN, Texas — A new program at 12 Texas state parks aims to use technology to draw visitors into the outdoors. The Texas Geocache Challenge will run from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, 2010, challenging state park visitors to use Global Positioning System technology to find a cache of hidden rewards in each park.