Fish and wildlife populations are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, invasive species, emerging diseases, and extreme weather events in Texas and throughout the country. As many as one-third of our nation’s species are on the brink of becoming threatened or endangered. A bill just introduced in Congress seeks to reverse this trend.
AUSTIN – As boaters head out to Texas waterways for the Fourth of July holiday, Texas Game Wardens and thousands of law enforcement officers will be on heightened alert looking for those violating boating under the influence laws. These ramped up efforts to crack down on impaired boaters will continue July 5-7 during the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, a nationally coordinated heightened awareness and enforcement campaign focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
ATHENS – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Toyota ShareLunker Program is having a banner year in its efforts to create bigger, better bass in Texas. After successfully spawning three of the five 13 pound or larger Legacy Class largemouth bass loaned to the selective-breeding program in 2019, the department’s hatchery staff produced more than 92,000 offspring to stock in Texas public lakes.
ATHENS — The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has announced the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest winners for 2019.
AUSTIN – Texas offers a Free Fishing Day on the first Saturday in June every year to help kick off National Fishing and Boating Week. On this day anglers can fish on any public waterbody in the state without a fishing license.
AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved $3.81 million dollars in grants to fund 22 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state.
AUSTIN – Last year, 29 boating fatalities and hundreds of boat accidents and injuries occurred on Texas waters. As part of National Safe Boating Week May 18-24, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement are reminding Texans to be safe this Memorial Day weekend and all summer long by following the law and taking basic safety precautions while on the water.
AUSTIN – Texas children and families will have enhanced opportunities to explore the State’s natural resources, thanks to $1,585,400 in 36 grants awarded this year through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). These grants support community-based outdoor recreation programs and activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking and more.
AUSTIN – World class bass fishing, shopping, live music and a variety of outdoor activities are coming to Texas’ most iconic bass fishing lake for the third annual Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest (TBTF) benefitting Texas Parks and Wildlife Department May 2-6.
GLEN ROSE –Green Mountain Energy and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) unveiled the completion of solar installations at three state parks across Texas at a ceremonial “Flip the Switch” event at Dinosaur Valley State Park. These three installations are the latest in a long-standing sustainability partnership to bring renewable energy to Texas State Parks.