AUSTIN – Texas State Parks have begun a strategic and thoughtful process of expanding capacity statewide, tracking Gov. Greg Abbott’s latest reopening order, and allowing more Texans the opportunity to visit their favorite parks. Masks are strongly encouraged for park visitors, especially when indoors or in areas where it is difficult to socially distance. Also, restrictions affecting group sizes have been lifted.
ATHENS – Despite cold temperatures and an unprecedented winter storm, February proved to be a banner month for the Toyota ShareLunker program. From February 19th through the 28th, anglers reeled in eight Legacy Class largemouth bass. Six Lunkers were from O.H. Ivie, one from Conroe, and one from Lake Travis, bringing the season total to 12. February’s flurry of activity has resulted in the 2021 Legacy Lunker season tripling last year’s total with one month still remaining in the three-month collection season.
AUSTIN – Communities in Texas will be healthier and more engaged with their natural surroundings thanks to grants awarded through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). This opportunity will create 10 grant partnerships, totaling $290,000, supporting community-based conservation and outdoor recreation activities throughout the State.
AUSTIN — Ahora que la primavera está muy próxima a llegar, los Texanos estarán buscando donde pasear y estar al exterior. Los Parques Estatales de Texas ya se están llenando con reservaciones para los sitios para acampar y los Pases por Un Día para los meses de primavera y verano, por lo que se recomienda mucho a los visitantes que estén planeando una aventura en un parque estatal para estas vacaciones de Spring Break, que hagan sus reservaciones tan pronto como les sea posible.
AUSTIN — With Spring Break around the corner, Texans will be looking to explore and get outside. Texas State Parks are already seeing day passes and campsites filling up for the spring and summer months, so visitors planning a state park adventure this Spring Break are encouraged to make their reservations as early as possible.
AUSTIN – Recent snowfall and freezing temperatures affected many fish and wildlife species throughout the state and now Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is asking for the public’s help in reporting any animal mortality events they observe on their property, ranches, or in their neighborhoods through this project on the iNaturalist website. Citizens are encouraged to report observations so that biologists can better understand the impacts of Winter Storm Uri to natural resources.
AUSTIN – Anglers across the state entered 340 lunker bass greater than 8 pounds in the Toyota ShareLunker program from 86 lakes during the 2020 season, which wrapped up Dec. 31. In addition to helping produce bigger, better bass for Texas lakes, anglers who enter their big bass catches in the program receive special recognition and prizes, including an entry into a year-end drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and an annual fishing license.
AUSTIN – The 2021 Toyota ShareLunker season continued its hot start after anglers reeled in two more Legacy Class Lunkers during the final weekend of January. That brings the total to four this year, equaling the amount caught during the 2020 season with two more months still to go. In addition, both anglers went on to win their respective tournaments due in large part to landing the Legacy Lunkers.
AUSTIN— Park rangers from around Texas, including the Buffalo Soldier Heritage Outreach Program and the Texas Outdoor Family staff, are debuting a new series of virtual programs celebrating Black History throughout the month of February. The series will culminate in a live, interactive Black History Trivia Challenge for the public at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27.
EL PASO – After many years of work and a long application and nomination process, Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site was recently designated as a National Historic Landmark. The federal designation, as recognized by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, acknowledges that the site holds cultural and historical significance to the entire United States.