Jan. 30, 2006

Hunter Education Course Fee Increase Approved

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a fee increase for attending a hunter education class from $10 to $15. The increase will take effect June 1, 2006.

Grayson County Game Warden Named ‘Officer of Year’

AUSTIN, Texas — Grayson County Game Warden Jim Ballard was presented the prestigious Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ 2005 “Officer of the Year” award before Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners Thursday.

Bass Anglers Invited To Meet With Fisheries Biologists

ATHENS, Texas–If you fish for black bass, fisheries biologists from throughout the southern United States want to hear from you.

Jan. 23, 2006

Brush Control Funding Offered to Landowners

San Antonio — The Edwards Aquifer Authority and Natural Resources Conservation Service have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide financial assistance to enhance range management through brush control on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone.

Jan. 6, 2006

Proposal Would Move Game Warden Training to PAL Ranch

HAMILTON, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public input on a proposal to move the Texas Game Warden Training Center from central Austin to the Police Activities League Ranch in Hamilton County. A public meeting to explain the plan and take public comments has been set for 7 p.m. Jan. 12 in Hamilton at the county district courtroom.

Dec. 29, 2005

Texas Schools, Nonprofits, Cities Receive CO-OP Grants

AUSTIN, Texas — Nine Community Outdoor Outreach Program grant applicants in communities across Texas will ring in the New Year with fresh funding to help more Texas children experience environmental education and outdoor recreational activities.

Dec. 22, 2005

TPWD’s Top 10 News Stories of 2005

EDITORS NOTE: In this issue of TPWD News, we forsake our usual format for the most part and provide a summary of the top news stories of 2005. Details about these topics can be found in the department’s online news archive. Please note that TPWD will not be distributing weekly news during the coming holidays. News distribution will resume on Jan. 16, 2006. Happy Holidays!

Dec. 5, 2005

Quail Provide Impetus for Landscape Conservation Efforts

AUSTIN, Texas — Quail are considered by wildlife officials to be a keystone indicator species of the health of grassland ecosystems. When their numbers fall, other species that inhabit those ecosystems follow in a domino effect. A diverse cooperative, working under the umbrella of the Texas Quail Conservation Initiative, is making landscape level conservation progress to help ensure the dominos won’t topple.

Texas Duck Stamp Program a Conservation Success Story

AUSTIN, Texas — For 25 years, Texas hunters have played a major role in successful waterfowl conservation efforts through the Texas Duck Stamp program.

Nov. 21, 2005

Workshop Offers Tips for West Texas Landowners

EL PASO, Texas — A workshop to be held Jan. 18 will help West Texas landowners learn more about available tools to manage wildlife habitat and diversify income on smaller properties between two and 2,000 acres. The workshop is part of a statewide series designed to address the growing problem of Texas rural land being fragmented into smaller tracts, often involving urban-based owners who are interested in wildlife conservation but may lack experience in wildlife or land management.