July 6, 2012

Repaired Battleship TEXAS Reopens Saturday

LA PORTE – The Battleship TEXAS State Historic Site will reopen to the public tomorrow after being closed since June 24 for repairs to fix leaks in the historic vessel’s metal hull.

Aplomado Falcon Chicks Released at Mustang Island State Park

The colorful Aplomado Falcon is regaining a foothold in parts of Texas where they disappeared more than a half-century ago. On July 1, biologists began releasing captive-bred Aplomado Falcons to the wild for the first time at Mustang Island State Park to take advantage of additional habitat that the endangered birds of prey need to survive.

July 3, 2012

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Season to Open July 15

AUSTIN — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset Sunday, July 15, 2012. The opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.

Caution Urged on Lakes and Bays during Busy 4th of July Holiday

AUSTIN — State Game Wardens are urging boaters to take extra care as thousands take to the state’s lakes and bays over the busy Independence Day holiday.

June 28, 2012

Longhorn Cavern Sporting New Lighting System

BURNET — Add one more reason to visit or revisit Longhorn Cavern State Park this summer other than its constant 68-degree environment. Workers have rewired the National Registered Landmark and replaced decades-old incandescent lights with hundreds of energy-saving, 12-volt halogen lights to better illuminate the cavern’s most outstanding natural features.

Satellite Telemetry Used To Study BP Oil Spill Effects on Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle

Padre Island National Seashore, Texas – The Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Trustees this week offered a glimpse into the world of scientists working to assess injuries caused by the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on the world’s most endangered sea turtle, the Kemp’s ridley. Assessment work includes field and laboratory tests to determine oil-related turtle exposure and satellite tracking via transmitters attached to turtles that come ashore to nest and lay eggs.

June 25, 2012

First Range-Wide Lesser Prairie-Chicken Aerial Survey Concluded

LUBBOCK, TX – The first range-wide aerial survey to assess lesser prairie-chicken populations across portions of five states this spring detected several previously unknown breeding areas, known as leks, despite severe drought across the region last year. Survey teams also detected leks in Kansas beyond what was thought to be the northern extent of the bird’s historic range.

June 22, 2012

Battleship Texas reopening after repairs

HOUSTON — The Battleship Texas, closed for a week to allow a salvage company time to repair a leak that the historic vessel developed June 9, will be open to the public again starting Saturday.

June 20, 2012

Applications Sought for Local Park Grants

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is announcing a special call for local park grant applications under the Outdoor Recreation and Urban Outdoor Recreation grant programs before Aug. 1.

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Gearing up for July 4 Fireworks

ATHENS, Texas—Preparations are under way for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC). The show will last approximately one-half hour and is one of the biggest in East Texas.