May 7, 2009

East Texan Named to Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

ATHENS, Texas — Paul Hinton of Hemphill has been selected as the 2009 inductee into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

Deadly 2008 Boating Season Prompts Expanded Public Outreach

AUSTIN, Texas — In 2008, 61 boaters died on Texas waters. It was the highest number in more than a decade, tying the tragic 2002 boating season. Even more alarming, in 2002 there were more than 620,000 registered vessels in the state; six years later that number had fallen to just slightly more than 591,000.

May 6, 2009

Melinchuk Named TPWD Deputy Executive Director for Natural Resources

AUSTIN, Texas — Ross Melinchuk has been selected to lead the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s natural resource divisions as Deputy Executive Director for Natural Resources. Melinchuk has more than three decades of experience in the field, most recently as Director of Public Policy for Ducks Unlimited (DU), where he was responsible for providing strategic direction for public policy and state grant activities for a 15 state region, including Texas.

May 1, 2009

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Announces Winners

ATHENS, Texas — The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has announced the winners in the 2009 State-Fish Art Contest.

ShareLunker Program Wraps Up for the Season

ATHENS, Texas — When it comes to bass fishing, some people want quantity, and others want quality.

April 30, 2009

Big Bend Ranch Fiesta cancelled due to swine flu concerns

PRESIDIO, Texas — Because of public health concerns about swine flu, all organized tours and activities connected with the Fiesta at Big Bend Ranch State Park have been cancelled. The free barbeque lunch set for Saturday, May 2 and all tours and activities set for Friday-Sunday, May 1-3 have been cancelled. However, the park remains open to the visiting public, with free admission and overnight camping Friday-Sunday.

Downtown Austin Paddling Trail to be Launched May 6

AUSTIN, Texas — One of the jewels of Austin’s urban green space is about to get brighter. Lady Bird Lake will be officially recognized as the 18th Texas Paddling Trail in a ceremony Wednesday, May 6, at the Texas Rowing Center adjacent to Austin High School.

April 29, 2009

Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail to be Dedicated May 2

GROESBECK, Texas — The first Texas Paddling Trail anchored by a state historic site will officially open May 2 with a 10 a.m. dedication at the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site between Groesbeck and Mexia.

April 28, 2009

Healthy Habitat Grants Available for Texas Schools

AUSTIN, Texas — The call is going out to public and private/nonprofit middle and high schools across the state: Texas Healthy Habitats Grants of up to $15,000 are now available from the Texas Center for Service-Learning, with applications due June 19. The grants will support students doing service-learning projects to benefit wildlife and the environment, made possible with a donation from EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc. to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

ShareLunker 471: It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over

ATHENS, Texas — Don’t count your chickens until they hatch, and don’t close the books on the ShareLunker program until the last tick of the clock April 30.