AUSTIN – Citing a decline in threats, increased bird populations and improved habitat, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is taking public comment on its proposal to remove the black-capped vireo from the federal endangered species list. Much of the songbird’s U.S. range is in Texas, so the Lone Star State is where much of the work to aid it has occurred.
AUSTIN – Fisheries biologists call them “crappie condos;” artificial underwater fish habitat created in this case out of undesirable stands of exotic bamboo. Thanks to a recent joint project between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), parks and recreation staff from the cities of Waco and Cleburne and student members of the Tri-Beta Biology Club at Baylor University, fish on Lake Pat Cleburne call them home.
AUSTIN — A coalition of government and nonprofit conservation groups is greatly expanding the war on Arundo (Arundo donax), an invasive plant that threatens to take over scenic Hill Country rivers. It’s one aspect of a broader statewide effort made possible by a record $6.3 million to control invasive aquatic species approved by the Texas Legislature for the 2016-2017 biennium, an increase from $1.1 million in the previous two-year cycle.
AUSTIN— With the Christmas holidays approaching, Texas State Parks are helping friends and families get into the spirit by offering gift items and hosting holiday events statewide.
AUSTIN – A 52-year-old Ballinger man is in custody facing numerous felony charges following a confrontation with law enforcement Wednesday afternoon during which he allegedly rammed two patrol vehicles, including a Texas Game Warden’s vehicle head on in an attempt to avoid apprehension.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is closing TX-7 in Galveston Bay to commercial oyster harvest on Friday, Dec. 2, due to the undersized and low abundance of market-sized oysters in the area.
AUSTIN—The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has signed temporary lease agreements with four Guadalupe River property owners to expand public access to the trout fishery downstream of Canyon Lake.
AUSTIN – These stockings won’t be found hanging by the chimney, but they’ll still bring plenty of joy this winter to boys and girls of all ages. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) annual fish stockings of rainbow trout are currently underway on 18 designated Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes across the state.
AUSTIN— A new project is underway at Mission Tejas State Park to replace damage caused by a fire during Hurricane Ike in 2008.