May 29, 2007

New Texas Regulations To Protect Wild Turtles, Nongame Wildlife

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on May 24 approved a measure that will prohibit commercial collection of all wild turtles from public waters and public land in the state, but will still allow collection of three varieties of turtles on private property, including ranch stock tanks and farm ponds. The turtle provisions are part of new Texas nongame regulations that create a “white list” of 84 species which can be collected and sold and prohibit the commercial collection of all other nongame animals not on the list.

May 28, 2007

Great Texas Birding Classic Winnings Fund Conservation

AUSTIN, Texas — With 320 species identified, the Environmental Partners birding team, sponsored by Reliant Energy, racked up its third consecutive first-place finish at the 11th annual Great Texas Birding Classic hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory.

May 21, 2007

77 Ranch Award Shows Water Connection From Landscape To Faucet

BLOOMING GROVE, Texas — Folks in Fort Worth don’t know it, but the water coming out of their faucets is cleaner and cheaper because of ranchers like Gary and Sue Price. The Price’s model ranching operation shows how enlightened landowners can make a living in ways that benefit people and wildlife, agriculture and the environment.

Wildlife Conservation Center Opens at Gus Engeling WMA

TENNESSEE COLONY, Texas — For more than half a century, the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area in Anderson County has been dedicated to wildlife research and habitat conservation.

Scientists Offer Tips for Dealing With Bats

AUSTIN, Texas — Millions of Mexican free-tailed bats are returning to Texas from their winter homes in Mexico, and while research is revealing an increasing number of bat benefits, scientists say there are some common-sense steps schools, businesses and homeowners can take to coexist peacefully with bat visitors.

May 14, 2007

Texas’ World Birding Center Taking Wing

MISSION, Texas — Ten years after planning began to launch the World Birding Center in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande Valley, the ambitious project to restore wildlife habitat and promote birding and nature tourism has taken off and is gaining altitude.

State Fish-Art Contest Winners Announced

ATHENS, Texas—Winners in the Texas division of the 2007 State-Fish Art Contest have been announced by Wildlife Forever and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, the sponsoring organizations.

May 7, 2007

2007 Lone Star Land Stewards Showcase Wildlife Conservation

AUSTIN, Texas — For wildlife habitat conservation to happen on a landscape level in Texas, it will have to occur on private property, which makes up the bulk of land holdings in the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Sand County Foundation are looking to recognize those who have shown exemplary efforts to manage their property as ambassadors of conservation.

“If You See an Alligator” Safety Tips Offered

HOUSTON — Once an endangered species, the American alligator is now common in rivers, creeks, and backwater sloughs of East and South Texas. An ever-expanding human population continues to encroach upon the alligator’s domain, driving a trend of increased encounters between alligators and people.

April 30, 2007

Wildlife, Landscape Recovering Year After Big Fire

AUSTIN, Texas — It’s been about a year since the biggest wildfire in Texas Panhandle history roared across the prairie. According to the National Interagency Fire Center in Idaho, wildfires east of Amarillo burned 907,245 acres in late March 2006.