Texas Parks and Wildlife

A unique recycling program is underway, returning old oyster shells to Texas bays. As part of a decades long program to restore Desert Bighorn Sheep to West Texas, about 30 bighorns have been released at Big Bend Ranch State Park. A North Texas researcher investigates the health of our most productive native pollinators, and how we might simply help the bee.

Meet a team of biologists tasked with investigating oil spills or other environmental disasters affecting Texas wildlife. Since 1999 the Lake Fork Sportsman's Association has worked to protect and promote Lake Fork's natural resources. Join some folks who are building rainwater catchment systems that are designed to provide water for bighorn sheep and other thirsty animals in the desert.

Some invasive ants are driving biologists crazy, but new research into control methods is underway at the lab and in the field. Victor Emanuel has been chasing birds for over 70 years and inspiring thousands of others to do the same. Dating back to 1885, the Head Family has worked to preserve the Pigfoot Ranch's pristine native prairie savannahs and its crystal-clear creeks.

Texas state ornithologist Cliff Shackelford answers all your bird questions on his "Bird Calls" radio show. One of Rick Torres' passions is leading families on night hikes at Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Exploring the depths of Texas' artificial reefs, documenting species of fish and coral, and monitoring the health of our reefs are all in a day's work for members of the TPWD Artificial Reef Program.

Searching for hidden game, weapons, missing people, or playing with a tennis ball, it's all in a day's work for canine commissioned Texas Game Wardens. Chad Norris is working with a lot of different groups and people to save San Solomon Springs. How many different birds can be seen in a day, a morning, or from just one spot? Follow some folks on the Great Texas Birding Classic to find out.

Follow along as biologists struggle to save one of the most endangered birds in all of Texas, the Attwater's prairie chicken. Hurricanes cause terrible damage to coastal habitats. Rebecca Hensley is leading a team to monitor and preserve these valuable lands. The Texas Outdoor Family program helps to get folks with little camping experience outside for some weekend fun.

Archeologists are working with tribal elder at Palo Duro Canyon State Park to unearth century-old artifacts and more accurately interpret area history. Nicolette Ledbury's passion is recruiting and providing opportunities for minorities, veterans, and women at Texas Parks & Wildlife. Check out the Gus Engeling WMA, where the bottomland hardwood swamps make it the place for wintering waterfowl.

For more than 45 years, Alan Haynes of Tyler has demonstrated a commitment to promoting fishing and conservation of our natural resources. The overriding goal at the Lochridge Ranch is to enhance and conserve the native ecosystem. The Lyndon Baines Johnson State Park and Historic Site is all about history, complete with a farm depicting life on the farmstead as it was back in 1918.

Texas Game Wardens help protect our lands, our waters, our fish, our wildlife, our property, our environment, but also our lives. By keeping their Central Texas farm in agriculture for more than a century, the Vacek family honors their heritage. North Deer Island is one of the largest rookery islands on the Texas coast, but it is slowly eroding away, threatening the birds that nest there.

Meet a mechanic and mountain-biking musician who has been taming trails in San Angelo State Park for decades. The bison that roam the prairies of Caprock Canyons State Park have some little friends. Check out the park's prairie dog town and the fury animals that call it home. Take a look at efforts underway to save one of the most threatened coastal birds in Texas, the black skimmer.