June 25, 2020

Chinati Mountains State Natural Area Joins Big Bend Ranch State Parks’ Dark Sky Park Designation

TERLINGUA— Chinati Mountains State Natural Area, located 25 miles north of Presidio, is now included into Big Bend Ranch State Parks’ 2017 International Dark Sky Park designation with the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The inclusion of Chinati Mountains SNA, which is not currently open to the public, adds about 40,000 acres to what is already one of the largest areas of protected night sky in the United States.

Stay Safe This Summer at a Texas State Park by Using These Six Heat Hacks

AUSTIN— Last year, as temperatures soared into the triple digits in Texas, 48 Texas State Parks handled 129 heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. Now that the summer has officially begun and temperatures are steadily climbing, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is sharing their top six heat hacks for staying safe in the outdoors.

Abilene State Park Pool to Open July 1 Until Aug. 16

ABILENE— The Abilene State Park pool will be reopening to the public Tuesday through Sunday starting July 1 until Aug. 16. New guidelines will be in place this summer to encourage social distancing and give park staff time to disinfect the pool area.

June 15, 2020

Balmorhea State Park Grows Through 643-Acre Land Acquisition

AUSTIN—Balmorhea State Park is gaining some elbow room after a 643-acre land acquisition was recently completed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. This acquisition, which was seven years in the making, will increase the size of the 108-acre park seven-fold to a total of 751-acres and increase future opportunities for nature trails, nature watching and scenic overlooks.

June 9, 2020

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Announces 2020 Winners

ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is pleased to announce the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s State-Fish Art Contest winners for 2020.

May 26, 2020

New Overnight Reservations to Resume for Summer Trips to Texas State Parks

AUSTIN—Starting May 27, visitors will be able to make camping reservations at parks with arrival dates between June 1 and Sept. 7. This gradual reopening of overnight reservations will be limited to varying degrees at individual parks to align with safe business practices currently followed in Texas.

May 22, 2020

TPWD Reminds Boaters to ‘Clean, Drain and Dry’

AUSTIN – With the arrival of Memorial Day weekend and summertime temperatures, Texans may be getting out on the water. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) inland fisheries and law enforcement staff are urging boaters to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species, such as giant salvinia and zebra mussels, threatening Texas lakes.

Endangered Aplomado Falcon Chicks Banded at Mustang Island State Park

AUSTIN — On May 16, researchers banded two females and one male 26-day-old northern aplomado falcon chicks at Mustang Island State Park. This banding is part of ongoing restoration efforts by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the nonprofit The Peregrine Fund and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sea Center Texas, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center to Partially Re-Open Wednesday, May 27

AUSTIN- With Texas gradually re-opening, Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens will partially re-open to public visitation on Wednesday, May 27. Both facilities will have enhanced safety measures that comply with CDC guidelines and Governor Abbott’s executive orders.

May 21, 2020

Local Park Grants Announcement Postponed Until August

AUSTIN— Due to the rapidly changing public health situation, the allocation of local park grants will be postponed until the August 27th Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting.