Linking Policy
Links to the TPWD Website
Advance permission to link to TPWD's website(s) is not necessary; however, be aware that TPWD subpages may change at any time without notice. Entities and individuals linking to the TPWD website must continuously verify links to our subpages.
Frames
Entities and individuals linking to the TPWD website shall not capture TPWD pages within frames. Any link to the TPWD website should be a full forward link that passes the client browser to TPWD unencumbered.
The "Back" button should return the visitor to original site if the visitor wishes to back out.
Proprietary Rights
Entities linking to the TPWD website shall not present TPWD content as their own, or otherwise misrepresent TPWD content. Furthermore, they shall not misinform users about the origin or ownership of TPWD content. Use of any TPWD graphics is not intended to indicate any endorsement of, sponsorship of, or affiliation with a third-party website by TPWD.
Certain information on the TPWD website may be trademarked, service-marked, or otherwise protected as intellectual property. Protected intellectual property must be used in accordance with state and federal laws and must reflect the proper ownership of the intellectual property.
Accessibility
Entities that link to the TPWD website should use reasonable efforts to ensure that persons with disabilities may access their websites.
Links from the TPWD Website
The following external entities can request a link from the TPWD website:
- Governmental entities
- TPWD concessionaires
- Texas Convention and Visitors Bureaus or Texas chambers of commerce offices
- Academic institutions
- TPWD-contracted entities
- Associations that have digital content containing timely and relevant information
- TPWD Friends Groups
- TPWD sponsors or promotional partners
TPWD will consider the external entity's request to link provided that TPWD determines that the website meets ALL of the following acceptance criteria:
- provides a valuable customer service or unique service to TPWD or TPWD constituents greater than the cost or value associated with providing the link
- has content that is appropriate with respect to the purpose of TPWD
- does not burden users with non-standard formatting, lengthy download times, or intrusive advertising
- does not excessively burden persons with disabilities
- does not exhibit hate, bias, discrimination, pornography, libelous or otherwise defamatory content or advocate
- does not promote the use of alcohol, tobacco, or currently illegal substances;
- does not belong to or support a political affiliation or further the agenda of a political organization or candidate running for office;
- does not contain misleading or unsubstantiated claims
- does not conflict with the mission and purpose of TPWD
TPWD may consider requests to link to an external commercial or non-profit website not included in the list of external entities above, provided that the following conditions are met:
- the website meets the acceptance criteria; and
- the request has been approved by the TPWD Communications Director
Sponsor/Promotional Partner Links
In accordance with the Texas Administrative Code (Title 1 TAC Part 10, Chapter 206) and TPWD sponsorship policy, TPWD has authority to offer a link to a sponsor/promotional partner's website from the TPWD website if a TPWD Memorandum of Agreement has been executed with the entity and TPWD is receiving greater benefit than the external entity in this agreement.
Requirements for Linked External Websites
Websites linked from the TPWD website must meet the following conditions:
- The external site should provide the user with access to an email address and/or a customer service telephone number so that users may contact the site if there are problems with format, accuracy, timeliness, or payment processing, as applicable.
- Linked sites should not excessively burden the TPWD customer support system. If the site excessively burdens the TPWD customer support system, TPWD has discretion to take linked site off of the TPWD website.
- When the user clicks on the external website link, they should have easy access back to TPWD. One of two options can accomplish this:
- A link to TPWD can be established on the external website's main page.
- The "Back" button returns the user to TPWD.
- Linked sites should have a privacy and security policy accessible from their home page informing the user of what information is collected, how it is collected, and how it is used.
- TPWD encourages linked sites to comply with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards to ensure that persons with disabilities may access these sites. If the site excessively burdens persons with disabilities, TPWD has discretion to take linked site off of the TPWD website.
- Linked sites should notify TPWD if the site to which TPWD links becomes inaccurate or inactive.
Removal Process
TPWD reserves the right to remove links at any time. Links from TPWD will be reviewed regularly and may be removed for the following reasons:
- The link no longer points to the original information or resource to which it was intended to point.
- The website is no longer in compliance with the acceptance criteria.
- The website pointed to by the link violates the conditions for link maintenance.
- The link is permanently unreachable or remains unavailable for a period of 21 days or longer.
- The external website fails to comply with the written linking agreement, if any.
- The link request has not been renewed after a twenty-four month period
- Other good cause as determined by TPWD.
Disclaimer and Copyright
TPWD is not responsible for the content of linked websites, nor any of the third-party website’s links.
The data on the TPWD Web site and related graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. Please review the Disclaimer and Copyright policies.
Contact Information
Email us with questions and concerns regarding the linking policy.