Master Naturalist Program Seeks Applicants
AUSTIN, Texas — Fifteen chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program are conducting fall training classes for volunteers wanting to help conserve our natural resources.
TPWD News Releases
July 17, 2006
West Texas Ranchers Aid in Falcon Reintroduction
VAN HORN, Texas — On July 18, the Peregrine Fund, a non-profit organization based in Boise, Idaho, will resume its efforts to restore the endangered northern aplomado falcon to West Texas skies. With support from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Hawking Association and private ranchers, the Fund will release 28 captive-bred falcons.
Keep Texas Beautiful Honors TPWD Master Naturalists
AUSTIN — Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) announced the winners of their annual awards, recognizing Texans’ efforts to enhance their communities and protect the Texas environment. Winning groups are selected from throughout Texas, and three Austin groups — including the Capital Area Master Naturalists — were chosen for their outstanding commitment to improve the community in 2005-2006.
Reward Offered in McLennan County Elk Dumping Case
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Game Wardens were asked by the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office July 12, 2006, to assist in the investigation of the illegal dumping of nine elk carcasses in a field just off County Road 2311 near Tours in the northeast portion of the county.
July 3, 2006
Record Sea Turtle Release Marks Kemp’s Ridley Comeback
TEPEHUAJES, Mexico — Mexican and U.S. scientists on June 28 marked the recovery of the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle here with the largest single-day turtle release since the binational recovery project began decades ago, helping close to 240,000 four-inch hatchlings wriggle across the sand and into the Gulf of Mexico.
State Park Economic Returns Exceed Operating Costs
AUSTIN, Texas — The economic benefits from Texas state parks far exceed the cost to operate them. This key finding was highlighted by a university researcher in a recent briefing to the Texas State Parks Advisory Committee, which meets again in Austin on July 14.
TPWD Game Warden Field Notes, July 3, 2006
The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
June 30, 2006
Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Season Opens July 10
AUSTIN — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset on Monday, July 10, 2006. This opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.
June 19, 2006
Game Wardens Arrest Poachers With 800 Red Snapper
AUSTIN, Texas — Acting on an Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline tip, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens apprehended seven individuals on June 8 with more than 2,000 pounds of illegally caught snapper. The case, one of the largest seizures in Texas in recent years, resulted in citations for 26 game law violations and could result in fines and restitution of upwards of $20,000.
Buffalo Soldiers Impart Living History at Summer Events
AUSTIN, Texas — This summer, the Texas Buffalo Soldiers have a full schedule of activities including presentations at youth camps, a Last Frontier Heritage Tourism event in Cochran County and three weekends of celebrations at the HemisFair Plaza in San Antonio.