AUSTIN— Polish the cauldrons and dust off those brooms, Texas State Parks are getting extra spooky this October for some scary-fun events happening throughout the month. A variety of family-friendly Halloween events are scheduled for ghouls and goblins of all ages, including zombie apocalypse hikes, jack-o’-lantern scavenger hunts, trick-or-treating at the park and spooky campfire stories, just to name a few.
TERLINGUA— Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free fiesta Nov. 3 at the Sauceda Ranger Station located in the middle of the park.
GOLIAD— Join the Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site staff as they unveil the vibrant, new exhibits displaying the Mexican hero’s birth, life and culture.
AUSTIN — For the next two weeks, Texans are invited to take part in the fourth statewide Pollinator BioBlitz. The goal of the BioBlitz, which runs from Oct. 4-20, is to raise awareness of the diversity and importance of pollinators while bringing greater attention to the critical habitat needs of monarchs and native pollinators across the state.
ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) is offering visitors opportunities to learn about a wide range of outdoor skills and participate in family fun events during its annual Outdoor Expo and Bluegill Family Fishing Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 21. The expo will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
TOYAHVALE— Balmorhea State Park is closing its gates Sept. 3 for continued park improvements scheduled to run through Spring 2020.
AUSTIN— Beginning Sept. 1, the operation and maintenance of six Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) sites will be transferred to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The 86th Texas Legislature approved House Bill 1422 which transfers operational control of these sites to the THC.
LA PORTE— The Battleship Texas State Historic Site will close to the public Aug. 26, allowing staff and contractors full accessibility to the ship ensuring they can safely perform the necessary preparation work ahead of a repair project. The last day the public will be able to explore the Battleship Texas will be Sunday, Aug. 25.
TERLINGUA— The interior of the Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex will be closed for the safety of park visitors during wildlife surveys Aug. 19 – 27. During the surveys, staff will be counting desert bighorn sheep by helicopter and dispatching non-native aoudad (barbary sheep) when encountered.
EL PASO— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is performing a feasibility study geared toward determining the future of the Wyler Aerial Tramway. A public meeting hosted by the El Paso Community Foundation will be held July 24 at 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for residents of El Paso to provide input on the project in person.