TPWD News Releases

Game Warden Field Notes, Sept. 8, 2021

Texas Parks and Wildlife Film, Bayou City, Nominated for Jackson Wild Media Award

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to announce that the short film, “Bayou City”, has been nominated for a 2021 Jackson Wild Media Award in the Ecosystem – Short Film category. The film explores the 22 diverse bayou systems throughout the city of Houston.

Black Gap Wildlife Management Area Designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary

BREWSTER COUNTY – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to announce that Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Black Gap WMA is the second TPWD property to receive the Sanctuary designation, joining Devils River State Natural Area – Del Norte Unit which was designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019.

Richland Creek WMA Northern Unit Named to Honor Biologist Carl Frentress

FAIRFIELD — To honor the memory of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologist Carl Frentress, the northern unit of Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been renamed the Carl Frentress Unit. Frentress served as a biologist with TPWD for 32 years and was instrumental in the establishment of the Richland Creek WMA.

Alligator Snapping Turtles Seized in Illegal Trafficking Case Are Returned to Natural Habitat

AUSTIN – Twenty-one adult, and six juvenile, alligator snapping turtles were recently released back into East Texas as part of a coordinated effort among Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), Stephen F. Austin State University, Sabine River Authority, Northeast Texas Municipal Water District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Houston Zoo, and the Turtle Survival Alliance, among others, after being seized in an illegal trafficking attempt.

Bipartisan Wildlife Proposal Would Enhance Fish and Wildlife, Add Jobs, and Grow Businesses in Texas

AUSTIN— During the pandemic, Texans headed back to nature in record numbers, with more people visiting state parks, hunting, fishing, and boating than ever before. A new congressional proposal aims to tap that exploding interest by investing more than $50 million per year in Texas for wildlife recovery and related public education and recreation, a move expected to boost the state’s already booming nature-based economy into overdrive.

TPWD Emphasizes Importance for Boaters to “Clean, Drain, and Dry”

AUSTIN – Over the holiday weekend, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is urging boaters to do their part to fight back against aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and giant salvinia, which are threating Texas lakes.

Applications Being Accepted for 2021 Bird City Texas Program

AUSTIN – Audubon Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), partners in the Bird City Texas program (BCT), are excited to announce the launch of the 2021 BCT application process. BCT was launched in 2019 as a way to recognize the work communities are doing in the name of conservation. Now in its third year, the program has seven certified communities, overseeing care and action on more than 75,000 acres of city-owned parklands. BCT certified communities are taking tremendous steps forward for birds, wildlife and future generations.

New Monarch Butterfly Conservation License Plate Available for Texas Drivers

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be launching the long-awaited Monarch Butterfly conservation license plate on June 21 that will raise money to help conserve monarch butterflies and other native Texas, non-game, at-risk species.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week May 15-22 Brings Attention to Harmful, Non-Native Plants and Wildlife

AUSTIN – During National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) May 15-22, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wants to help Texans learn more about how invasive species affect our state’s natural resources and how everyone can help in slowing their spread. In honor of NISAW, May 15 is also designated National Clean, Drain, Dry Day to promote boater behaviors to prevent the spread of invasive species.