Oct. 7, 2005

Stay Tuned, Oct. 7, 2005

Information from Texas Parks and Wildlife is available on radio and television, as well as the newsstand.

Oct. 3, 2005

In Storm's Wake, Estuary Day Shows Value Of Wetlands

AUSTIN, Texas — As Hurricane Rita was bearing down on the Texas coast, those who work to protect coastal estuaries had occasion to ponder the value of wetlands to absorb storm impacts and control flooding. As it happened, Sept. 24 was National Estuary Day.

Redfish Bay Seagrass Protection Rules Proposed

ROCKPORT, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing mandatory seagrass protection measures for the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area to protect ecologically important seagrass beds from motorboat propeller scarring.

Hunter Education Courses Filling Up, Deferral an Option

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite offering 4,400 hunter education courses throughout the year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department understands there are some who will still wait until the last minute before hunting season to get certified. This fall, those procrastinators need not panic.

TPWD Game Warden Field Notes, Oct. 3, 2005

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

Stay Tuned, Oct. 3, 2005

Information from Texas Parks and Wildlife is available on radio and television, as well as the newsstand.

Sept. 29, 2005

Gov. Perry Names Mark Bivins to Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry today named Mark Bivins of Amarillo to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2011. The commission oversees the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Sept. 27, 2005

After Rita, State Parks Dig Out, Game Wardens Patrol East Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Close to 200 Texas game wardens were on patrol Monday to help maintain order and safety in East Texas, particularly in southeastern counties most affected by Hurricane Rita this past weekend. Meanwhile, five Texas state parks near the Louisiana border were heavily damaged by the hurricane, many others sustained moderate damage and some 20 state parks are still closed as teams assess damage.

Sept. 23, 2005

More Texas State Parks Close, Others Hosting Rita Evacuees

AUSTIN, Texas — Since Hurricane Rita has changed course, more Texas state parks in East Texas are now closing temporarily, while others are hosting hundreds of hurricane evacuees free of charge. (See state park closure list below.)

Sept. 22, 2005

State Parks Host Rita Evacuees, Game Wardens Prep For Rescue Work

AUSTIN, Texas — As Hurricane Rita bears down on the Texas coast, coastal state parks are temporarily closing, while others open their doors at no cost to hurricane evacuees. Meanwhile, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens, many of them fresh from Katrina duty in New Orleans, are staging for a possible new round of rescues in their home state. (The Governor’s Emergency Management Council is coordinating Rita response for all state agencies, including TPWD game wardens.)