April 22, 2021

Bipartisan Bill to Help Declining Wildlife Introduced on Earth Day in Congress

AUSTIN — With as many as one-third of America’s fish and wildlife species on the brink of becoming threatened or endangered, a bill introduced April 22 on Earth Day in Congress seeks to reverse this trend, while creating thousands of new jobs and investing in the outdoor recreation economy. The bipartisan proposal has nationwide support from conservationists, hunters, anglers, businesspeople, and the outdoor recreation industry.

April 20, 2021

Catfish Stocking Heading Back to Neighborhood Fishin’ Lakes in Texas

AUSTIN – Spring is in the air and with that comes one of Texas’ best spring traditions, angling for catfish. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program enables friends and families to stay close to home, enjoy time in the outdoors, and have the chance to reel in a catfish.

Regresan Los Bagres del Programa de Pesca en la Vecindad en Texas

AUSTIN — Ya se siente la primavera y con eso viene una de las mejores tradiciones de Texas: la pesca de bagre.  El programa de Pesca en la Vecindad o Neighborhood Fishin’ del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas permite que los amigos y las familias se mantengan cerca de casa, disfruten tiempo al aire libre y tengan la oportunidad de pescar.

April 19, 2021

Toyota ShareLunker Program Enjoys Banner Season

ATHENS – The 2021 Toyota ShareLunker collection season will go in the books as one of the best in the history of the program. Anglers landed 23 ShareLunkers at 10 different lakes across the state, the most during a January through March timespan since the 1995 season which produced 27. Five new lake records were established, four lakes made their mark on the program with a first ever entry, and milestone ShareLunker 600 was caught in this year’s group.

Los Biólogos le recuerdan al público que no toque a los animales silvestres

AUSTIN — Ahora que muchos están disfrutando pasar más tiempo al exterior en esta temporada de primavera, es posible que empiecen a notar que hay más animales silvestres en su jardín, su barrio o los alrededores.  Las especies como aves, venados y víboras están activas esta temporada del año y sus crías a menudo se pueden extraviar o parecer que han sido abandonadas.  Los expertos del Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Texas (TPWD) advierten que no les traten de ayudar.

Biologists Remind the Public Not to Touch Wildlife

AUSTIN- With more people enjoying the outdoors this spring season, you may start to notice more wildlife in your backyard, neighborhood or surrounding areas. Species including birds, deer and snakes are active this time of year and their young often stray or appear to be abandoned. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) experts caution against lending a helping hand.

April 15, 2021

Sixth Annual Texas City Nature Challenge Encourages Citizen Scientists to Record Nature Observations

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), through the Texas Nature Trackers program, is inviting Texans to participate in the sixth annual City Nature Challenge, Friday, April 30 through Monday, May 3. This global community-based scientific effort, co-organized by San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, invites current and aspiring citizen scientists of all ages and backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist.

April 12, 2021

Soil and Water Stewardship Week Highlights Texas Land Stewardship

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Wildlife Association and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association to highlight Soil and Water Stewardship Week. The week is centered on the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. The statewide campaign runs April 25 through May 2 and the focus this year is “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities”.

April 9, 2021

New Case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Confirmed in Texas, First of 2021

AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has received test results confirming that Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease virus 2 (RHDV2) was diagnosed in a wild black-tailed jackrabbit in Cottle County. This marks the first confirmed cases of RHDV2 in a wild rabbit in Texas in 2021 and follows the discovery of the disease in domestic rabbits in Tom Green County, which was announced in a recent Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) news release. This is also the first discovery of the disease in a domestic rabbit of 2021.

Winter storm impact to Texas fish, wildlife topic of April 13 webinar

AUSTIN — The Texas Master Naturalist Program will present an “Impacts of Winter Storm Uri on Texas Fish and Wildlife” webinar on April 13 covering the storm’s impact on fish and wildlife, their recovery and fish and wildlife management efforts moving forward.