- Trans Pecos
- High Plains/Panhandle
- Cross Timbers
- Hill Country
- Post Oak Savannah
- Pineywoods
- Oak Prairie
- South Texas Plains
![Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Districts](/landwater/land/habitats/images/maps/texas/wildlife_districts_148.gif)
Wildlife Division District Map
South Texas Wildlife District
Urban Wildlife Management - Texas Wildscapes
The
Texas Wildscapes Program encourages landowners to restore pockets of wildlife
habitat - native plants, trees, shelter, and water - for birds, butterflies,
reptiles, and even small mammals. The program provides information and
recognition, in the form of a certificate and attractive yard sign, to
people who provide wildlife habitat. While these habitats must still abide
by local and county ordinances, even small changes in our landscaping habits
can result in significant improvement in wildlife habitats. This is especially
important in urban and suburban landscapes where urbanization, habitat
alteration, and habitat fragmentation have resulted in considerable loss
of wildlife habitat. With more than 94% of Texas land privately owned,
assistance from private landowners is necessary for effective habitat restoration.
The program goes beyond just home landscapes. Schools, businesses, large
corporations, and city/county agencies are installing wildscapes on private
and public property.
Tips for Wildscaping and Landscaping with
Native Plants.
Helpful Books and Field Guides for Wildscaping.
Wildscapes Certification Requirements
When properties are reviewed for certification, they are judged on the following:
- Food plants and complementary supplements
- Reliable water sources maintained year-round
- Layers of natural shelter vegetation and artificial nest sites that wildlife will use
- At least 50% native plant composition
If these requirements are provided and maintained in an orderly fashion, certification is usually quite easy. The attractive yard sign that accompanies certification recognized your efforts for wildlife and encourages others in your neighborhood to look at their yards from a wildlife perspective. A small certification fee is required.
Applications can be obtained from:
Wildscapes Coordinator
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
1/800/792-1112