Storm Beryl Alert
In anticipation of storm Beryl, TPWD is closing some coastal sites, opening camping spaces to shelter evacuees and preparing personnel and resources to assist with search and rescue operations. The latest on storm Beryl's impacts to TPWD sites are posted to our media page. For park closure updates, see the Texas State Parks Alert Map.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – Three rehabilitated green sea turtles, including some stranded by last winter’s record freeze, were returned to the wild July 1 in the lower Laguna Madre. The Jeff Boruff Memorial Sea Turtle Release was dedicated to the memory of Jeff “Yappo” Boruff, a young Texan who volunteered summers helping endangered sea turtles in Mexico.
ATHENS—Brady King of Livingston was named the winner of the Seth Thomas Spradlin Best of Show award at the 13th annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Expo held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center June 25.
ATHENS, Texas—Preparations are under way for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC). The show will last approximately one-half hour and is one of the biggest in East Texas.
HOUSTON – The welcome rains subsided just in time for a crowd of 100-plus to witness the unveiling of the new John Jacob Observation Tower at Sheldon Lake State Park Thursday morning, on the east side of Texas’ largest city.
AUSTIN – As record drought heats up across the state, Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine fittingly focuses on water in an expanded 96-page July special issue titled “Every Drop Counts: The State of Water, A Decade Later.” The issue culminates 10 years of water resource coverage with articles by leading writers and experts. It’s also the first to offer a digital replica for online viewing and mobile devices, plus audio podcasts of articles.
DAINGERFIELD, TX—After almost an entire calendar year of closure for repairs and renovations to facilities and campgrounds, Daingerfield State Park is once again set to host visitors at its Pineywood and lake setting, beginning Friday, June 24.
EL PASO — Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site has been selected to participate in the 2011 “This Place Matters” Community Challenge sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. One hundred sites were chosen from over 250 applicants from around the country to compete in a popularity contest for three cash prizes. The winning sites will be determined by the number of votes received through the National Trust’s Web site. The top prize is $25,000.
ATHENS—The 13th annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Expo comes to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center June 25, and a full slate of art- and fishing-related activities is planned.
AUSTIN – Texans don’t need to get down and dirty this summer to help plant trees in their state park system. With the ease of a mouse click, visitors can designate a tree to be planted in a Texas State Park through the Odwalla Plant a Tree program, a partnership to support the environment and help with reforestation projects.
CONCAN — To celebrate 70 years of serving literally millions of visitors at one of the most visited natural attractions in Texas, Garner State Park will mark its anniversary this Saturday, June 4, and commemorate the role of the historic Civilian Conservation Corp that helped shape the scenic Hill Country retreat located north of the town of Uvalde along the Frio River.