AUSTIN, Texas — Sprawling fields of Texas bluebonnets and vibrant orange Texas paintbrushes highlight fields and highways across the state. Travelers stop to take pictures or simply admire these native wildflowers, though many may not realize the many economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits of Texas native plants.
GALVESTON, Texas — The loss of lives and property inflicted by Hurricane Ike on Galveston Island and the upper Texas coast a year ago on Sept. 13 has been well-documented. Less known, however, is the Category 2 storm’s considerable impact on southeast Texas’ natural resources and the challenges facing those persons entrusted with returning impacted flora and fauna to health.
AUSTIN, Texas — A total of $225,000 in Texas Healthy Habitats Grants has been awarded to 15 different schools and non-profit youth organizations across the state, including near Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, Bryan, Lubbock and other cities. Each organization will receive up to $15,000 to support students doing service-learning projects to benefit wildlife and the environment.
At a time when people in big cities are becoming increasingly disconnected from the world of nature and the outdoors, Take Me Outdoors Houston on Oct. 10 at Discovery Green will offer Houston’s first free, family-oriented festival of the outdoors.
GALVESTON, Texas — A one-year undercover operation by NOAA Office of Law Enforcement’s Southeast Division in conjunction with Texas Game Wardens has netted charges against owners and operators of seven charter boats, resulting in more than $100,000 in fines for Texas-based offenders.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas sandhill crane hunters are being advised to visit one of 30 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement (game warden) offices spread across the state to obtain a free permit, or obtain a permit online or by phone, since private hunting license retailers no longer provide the permit this year.
FORT WORTH, Texas — For the 14th consecutive year, duck hunters in Texas will get the liberal waterfowl season with a 74-day season and six bird daily bag limit framework during the 2009-2010 general waterfowl seasons, but mottled ducks will be off the table during the first five days. The framework was finalized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its Aug. 27 public meeting.
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 27 approved more than $9 million in competitive parks and recreation grants for city and county parks and other sites across the state. Grant project descriptions are listed by county below.
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Aug. 27 approved approximately $3 million for 25 National Recreational Trail Grant projects across the state.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Professional and recreational sport shooters in the Kerrville, Waco and San Antonio areas will benefit from the $240,000 in matching grants that their local target range facilities will receive to continue previously funded construction and renovation projects.