AUSTIN — When Mother Nature shines as she’s done this spring, it makes anyone with a plot of dirt look good. But, it’s those times when the rains don’t come and the heat turns most of Texas brown and crunchy that a landowner’s mettle is put to the test. Those who can keep habitat conditions going in tough times as well as good are true conservation heroes.
AUSTIN, Texas — With spring come young, wild animals venturing from their nests and hiding places under the watchful eyes of their parents. Young animals often stray and appear to be abandoned; that’s when humans need to resist the urge to help, wildlife experts say.
CEDAR HILL — In 1854, when John Penn moved into the Cedar Mountains 20 miles southwest of a tiny new community called Dallas, using electricity to run a home was not even an idea, much less an option.
SMITHVILLE — For more than seven decades the massive-looking Recreation Hall at Buescher State Park has stood firmly on a hill overlooking the park’s lake. Imperceptibly, the historic Civilian Conservation Corps structure has moved — the result of creep — three inches downhill.
ROCKPORT — One of Texas’ earliest state parks has stood up to the wind, surf and sun for almost 75 years, but now and then the elements start gaining on it. This fall Texas Parks and Wildlife will acknowledge Mother Nature’s constant challenge at Goose Island State Park by removing 45 concrete shade shelters worn down from more than 35 years of harsh weather.
AUSTIN — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday, May 15, and not reopen until some point in July still to be determined.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
ATHENS — After 24 years, you might think the Toyota ShareLunker program would have accomplished everything possible.
ATHENS, Texas — April 30, the last day of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s 2009-2010 Toyota ShareLunker season, brought proof that sometimes it’s a good idea to pay attention to those "funny feelings" you get now and then.
LUMBERTON — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will join with the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy and local communities to christen the latest Texas Paddling Trail. The 10:30 a.m. event at Village Creek State Park is one of numerous events commemorating Texas Travel Rally Day being celebrated statewide on May 11.