AUSTIN, Texas — The inaugural 2006 Pro-Tour of Nature Photography next April 1-30 will bring together professional nature photographers and Texas hill country landowners, with 20 photographer-landowner teams competing for $200,000 in prize money. Organizers say it is the world’s first all-professional tournament for nature photography.
AUSTIN, Texas — On Nov. 3, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission heard a proposal to transfer Lake Houston State Park from the state park system to the City of Houston. Commissioners directed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff to move forward with formal negotiation with the city and to hold a Dec. 5 local meeting to get public input. The commission could approve the transfer at its Jan. 25 meeting.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Nov. 3 delayed a proposal for a $1,359,500 grant to the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition, a not for profit organization, to acquire 3,329 acres in Crockett County for the purpose of developing a managed off-highway vehicle recreation area.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Nov. 3 reviewed a new Texas Parks and Wildlife Department land transaction process designed to make sure that there is adequate and complete public notice of land transactions and that sufficient time is allowed to properly consider transactions.
FULTON, Texas — The Aransas County Navigation District today assumed control of the former Copano Bay State Fishing Pier, transferring pier management from the state park system to the local district. For the fishing public, this means that a Texas fishing license and saltwater stamp endorsement are now required to fish from the pier since it is no longer a state park.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Several thousand visitors showed up Oct. 15-16, the opening weekend for Government Canyon State Natural Area, touring the new Visitor Center facilities, picnicking and scouting out miles of wilderness trails on the edge of San Antonio.
AUSTIN, Texas — Halloween celebrations move outdoors for more than trick-or-treating at seven Texas state parks and historic sites.
ATHENS, Texas–The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center will be closed for repairs Nov. 28, 2005, through Jan. 2, 2006.
AUSTIN, Texas — Dozens of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens continue to deliver food, water, medical assistance and peacekeeping support to East Texas counties still reeling from Hurricane Rita. Meanwhile, the number of state parks temporarily closed by Rita is down to four from about 20 two weeks ago. State wildlife management areas remain open, but fall hunters are being urged to use caution.
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.