Oct. 3, 2005

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.)

Sept. 19, 2005

Government Canyon State Natural Area Opens Oct. 15

SAN ANTONIO — The much-anticipated opening of the newest member of the Texas State Parks family — Government Canyon State Natural Area — will take place Saturday, Oct. 15, on the northwestern fringes of the state’s third most populous city.

Agencies Preparing To Fight Hydrilla In Lake Conroe

AUSTIN, Texas — In an effort to avoid repeating a scenario that occurred here more than 25 years ago, the San Jacinto River Authority and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are making plans to control hydrilla and protect native vegetation in Lake Conroe.

Devils River Minnow Plan Will Protect Water Resources

DEL RIO, Texas — Working to keep plenty of clean water flowing in Southwest Texas rivers, streams and springs will benefit people as well as a rare fish. This is according to a scientist who worked on the recovery plan for the Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli), a plan recently approved by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Texas Youth Hunting Program Website Launches

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Youth Hunting Program, which provides children between the ages of 9 and 17 with safe, affordable and educational group hunting trips, has just launched a Web site making information about and registration for hunts more accessible.

TPWD Game Warden Field Notes, Sept. 19, 2005

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