Oct. 9, 2009

Coalition Protects Habitat, Releases Captive-reared Houston Toads

AUSTIN, Texas — Recent rains in Central Texas not only watered residential lawns and filled ranch cattle tanks, but also brought much needed relief to one of the most imperiled species in Texas — the endangered and elusive Houston toad, Bufo houstonensis. Ironically named the Houston toad, it disappeared from Harris County by the 1970’s. Historic prolonged droughts combined with rapid urbanization and habitat loss are the primary reasons for the toad’s decline.

Oct. 7, 2009

Game Warden Field Notes, Oct. 7, 2009

The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

Oct. 5, 2009

State-Fish Art Expo Coming to Texas

ATHENS, Texas-The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) has agreed to host the 2010 national State-Fish Art expo next July.

Sept. 30, 2009

Texas Game Warden Green Named National Boating Officer of the Year

Corpus Christi, Texas — The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) has presented its prestigious national Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award to Game Warden Chris Green of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, marking the first time the award has gone to a Texan at the national level.

Sept. 29, 2009

Bowhunters May Need To Go Native during Archery Season

AUSTIN, Texas — An early and abundant acorn crop may force Texas bowhunters to seek out native food supplies during archery season, which runs Oct. 3-Nov. 6.

Hunter education classes filling up fast

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging hunters in need of certification to enroll soon as fall hunter education courses are filling up fast. As hunting seasons draw closer, demand for hunter education classes is expected to increase.

Sept. 15, 2009

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Comes to Lake Conroe Next Month

LAKE CONROE, Texas — The Toyota Texas Bass Classic, a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) sanctioned event, is only one month away from its debut on Lake Conroe. The October 16 — 18 competition benefits Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) efforts to introduce young people and urban families to fishing and the outdoors.

Sept. 14, 2009

Toyota ShareLunker Season Begins October 1

ATHENS, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will begin accepting entries into the Toyota ShareLunker program October 1, 2009.

New Web site Showcases CCC’s Architectural Legacy in Texas state parks

AUSTIN, Texas — An ambitious new Web site called The Look of Nature: Designing Texas State Parks in the Great Depression explores the architectural heritage of the Civilian Conservation Corps still visible in state parks. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Web design firm Terra Incognita created the site, funded in part by a National Endowment for the Arts grant.

Sept. 8, 2009

Franklin Mountains State Park to Host Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta

EL PASO — Franklin Mountains State Park will be the host site for the fifth annual Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta, a day-long interpretive program highlighting the unique plant and animal life of the southwest desert ecosystem and the Rio Grande region, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the park’s Tom Mays Unit, located at the western base of Transmountain Road.