An agency is born
While we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as we know it today, the mission of protecting the state’s natural resources actually began in 1895 with the creation of the Fish and Oyster Commission. A Game Department was added in 1907, and a State Parks Board was created as a separate entity in 1923. In 1963, all interests were merged to form the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
For two decades after that, county governments could veto TPWD regulations, but passage of the Wildlife Conservation Act in 1983 gave the agency authority to manage fish and wildlife resources for all counties in Texas.
Texas parks began to bloom before 1963, of course. The work of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s laid the foundation for the park system we have today. So many years later, park visitors are still moved by the nostalgic beauty of the Bastrop State Park cabins, the iconic Indian Lodge and Palo Duro Canyon’s rugged rock buildings.
Through challenges and triumphs, the philosophy behind the agency’s mission — “to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations” — has been its guiding force throughout the past five decades.
Crown jewels of parkland
The Texas Legislature began acquiring land tracts for preservation as early as 1883, and by 1963, there were 58 parks, designated back then as recreational, scenic and historical parks and state historic sites. Big changes came in 1967, with the first-ever bond issue for a $75 million state park acquisition and development program.
With these funds, parks like prehistoric Dinosaur Valley and the urban oasis of McKinney Falls were birthed. The soothing waters in parks like Pedernales Falls, Galveston Island, Lake Livingston and Guadalupe River give Texans respite from summer’s heat. Enchanted Rock draws climbers to its mystical summit, and each fall, scores make the pilgrimage to Lost Maples to see the riotous display of color. Natural wonders like Devil’s Sinkhole and historical treasures like Seminole Canyon have been protected and preserved during the past half-century. In 1988, Big Bend Ranch State Park became the largest tract ever acquired. Its 215, 000 acres doubled state parkland.
Source: www.tpwmagazine.com
Exposition
by DylanElk Herbert took a bite of his ham sandwich. It was the first ham sandwich he had since his Dad was killed last week when a container full of Hondas fell on him when we was working on the docks at Long Beach in his capacity as a dock foreman for Oceanic Pacifica Inc, whom he had worked for for 30 years, ever since he had gotten out of the Marine Corp, or rather was discharged after that messy business back in a back water village in the Nam.
Herbert asked Linda for more mustard. Lisa was tired as she had 3 kids at home and a long gone deadbeat dad for a husband, his name was Hal and he was last seen by a friend of a friend in the Fremont Street area of Las Vegas getting his fix of Oxygen at an outdoor O2 kiosk outside of Binions
See the stars of 'Duck Dynasty' at the 4th Annual Tennessee Valley Hunting and .. — whnt.com
.. with stars of the hit TV show “Duck Dynasty,” receive fishing tips from a Bassmaster Classic Champion, and tour over 500 sporting manufacturers' booths during the 4th Annual Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo at the Von Braun Civic Center.
Hunting and Fishing Expo features TV celebrities, water-skiing squirrel and .. — whnt.com
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – If you have an interest in the outdoors, the South Hall of the Von Braun Center in Huntsville is the place to be. It's the home of this year's Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo.
