Jan. 30, 2006

Hunter Education Course Fee Increase Approved

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a fee increase for attending a hunter education class from $10 to $15. The increase will take effect June 1, 2006.

Jan. 6, 2006

Proposal Would Move Game Warden Training to PAL Ranch

HAMILTON, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public input on a proposal to move the Texas Game Warden Training Center from central Austin to the Police Activities League Ranch in Hamilton County. A public meeting to explain the plan and take public comments has been set for 7 p.m. Jan. 12 in Hamilton at the county district courtroom.

Dec. 29, 2005

Texas Schools, Nonprofits, Cities Receive CO-OP Grants

AUSTIN, Texas — Nine Community Outdoor Outreach Program grant applicants in communities across Texas will ring in the New Year with fresh funding to help more Texas children experience environmental education and outdoor recreational activities.

Dec. 5, 2005

Host of Holiday Events Set at Texas State Parks

AUSTIN, Texas — Few aspects of Christmas season bring joy to so many as do holiday lights, whether they decorate a Christmas tree, adorn gingerbread-trimmed Victorian homes or illuminate courthouses in many Texas communities.

Quail Provide Impetus for Landscape Conservation Efforts

AUSTIN, Texas — Quail are considered by wildlife officials to be a keystone indicator species of the health of grassland ecosystems. When their numbers fall, other species that inhabit those ecosystems follow in a domino effect. A diverse cooperative, working under the umbrella of the Texas Quail Conservation Initiative, is making landscape level conservation progress to help ensure the dominos won’t topple.

Nov. 21, 2005

TPWD Game Warden Field Notes, Nov. 21, 2005

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

Nov. 7, 2005

TPWD Unveils Possible Hunting and Fishing Rule Changes

AUSTIN, Texas — The success of resource management efforts on a variety of fronts has led Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists to recommend several possible changes to next year’s hunting and fishing regulations. Among the topics being considered include: an expansion of special regulations affecting the harvest of whitetail bucks based on antler characteristics, creation of an upland game bird management permit program and elimination of the trophy red drum and tarpon tagging requirements.

Seagrass Protection Authorized for Redfish Bay

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissions on Nov. 3 voted to authorize seagrass conservation measures to protect ecologically important seagrass beds in the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area near Rockport. The new rules will take effect May 1, 2006.

Oct. 31, 2005

Students Research Local Horned Lizards for Essay Contest

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging students to take part in the Hometown Horned Lizard historical essay contest. The writing contest is designed to engage children in learning about and promoting conservation of the Texas state reptile.

Oct. 24, 2005

First Statewide Conference on Invasive Plants Scheduled

AUSTIN, Texas — On Nov. 17 and 18, 2005, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin will convene the first statewide conference in Texas on non-native invasive plants as part of the Pulling Together Initiative. Conference planning is led by a coalition of interested parties who recognize the importance of creating networks of information about the potentially negative impacts of non-native invasive plant species. The coalition includes: the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas Forest Service, Houston Area Research Council, Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, National Biological Information Infrastructure, and the Texas Department of Agriculture.