A break in inclement weather conditions, as well as a day full of family-friendly activities, welcomed about one thousand visitors and community leaders who turned out for the grand opening of Resaca de la Palma State Park this past Saturday. The new park is operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and is named for the shallow, flooded oxbows that existed before reservoirs changed the Rio Grande, preserves 1,700 acres of disappearing native riparian and wetland habitat in the ever-growing metropolitan area of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. It’s the largest of the three state parks in the nine-site World Birding Center network and underscores the region’s renown as a premier birding destination, an area home to more than 500 avian varieties, including locally popular species such as the green jay and the chachalaca.

TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith, State Parks Director Walt Dabney and various other staff members and local dignitaries spoke to the crowd. The day included a ribbon cutting to commemorate the official opening of site facilities, mariachi bands, an art display and contest from local students, interpretive tours for birding, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies, and various exhibits and activities that included everything from Buffalo Soldiers and the Gladys Porter Zoo to the Last Chance Forever birds of prey show. With the opening of Resaca de le Palma, eight of the nine World Birding Center sites are now complete and open to the public, with the final site still under development at South Padre Island.

Texas’ newest state park, and the last of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) three World Birding Center sites, opens this Saturday in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Resaca de la Palma State Park near Brownsville will host a grand opening celebration Dec. 5, though it opened quietly months ago. The 1,200-acre park near the southernmost tip of Texas is the largest of the nine sites that comprise the World Birding Center, a project begun by TPWD in partnership with local communities a decade ago, now nearing final fruition. South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, the final wing of the WBC, is under construction and slated to open in spring 2009. The other World Birding Center sites are: Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park (WBC headquarters), Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, Estero Llano Grande State Park (Weslaco), Harlingen’s Arroyo Colorado, Old Hidalgo Pump House, Quinta Mazatlan (McAllen) and Roma Bluffs.

Not a state park in the traditional sense (there is no overnight camping), Resaca de la Palma caters to bird watchers, butterfly enthusiasts and other nature lovers who seek an up-close view of wildlife in a natural setting. Like Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley, Resaca visitors must park at the visitor center and walk, bicycle or take the free tram into the park. The park’s centerpiece is a restored resaca (an ancient coil of a river bed once filled by Rio Grande floodwaters), but it also includes marshes, dense thorn-scrub, and mature palm and ebony forests. The new state park was made possible in large part by increased funding provided by the Texas Legislature in 2007, which helps pays the salaries of 14 full-time and part-time employees, among other expenses. Interpreting the park story for the visiting public is a major focus, with staff and exhibits, trails and observation decks, guided tours and other activities, all designed to teach visitors about the area’s unique natural and cultural resources.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing moving the South Zone second split of dove season deeper into January, but otherwise is recommending minimal changes to the 2008-09 Early Migratory Game Bird Proclamation. TPWD staff announced the proposed dove and teal season calendar during the Regulations Committee meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, Wednesday, May 21.

The proposed dove season in the North Zone would run Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; the Central Zone would be Sept. 1-Oct. 30 and reopen Dec. 26-Jan. 4, with a 12-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; and the South Zone would run Sept. 20-Nov. 2, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 20 with a 12 bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The Special South Texas Whitewing Zone, which now encompasses land west of I-35 and south of U. S. Highway 90, would open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two Saturdays and Sundays in September and reopen Sept. 20-Nov. 2 and again from Dec. 26-Jan. 16. The daily bag limit is 12 birds, not more than four (4) mourning doves during the first two weekend splits and two (2) white-tipped doves. (more…)

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Upland Game Bird Advisory Board is recognizing the conservation efforts and contributions of two Texas-based chapters of Quail Unlimited. The Alamo Area Chapter of Quail Unlimited provided about $12,000 in funds that have been utilized in habitat enhancement activities and in the acquisition of equipment required to accomplish such. The most recent contribution went towards acquisition of a no-till drill to be used in providing enhanced habitats for upland birds; habitats that will not only benefit quail, but a diversity of other wildlife as well.

The South Texas Chapter of Quail Unlimited, since 2001, has contributed about $95,000 towards habitat enhancement activities and equipment purchases to accomplish such, including some $15,000 which was used toward purchase of a 4×4 tractor for use on the Daughtrey WMA.

“This level of participation and contribution represents the true spirit of the public/private partnership focus at Texas Parks and Wildlife,” said Deborah Clark, Upland Game Bird Advisory Council chair. “Specifically, these donations support improving habitat management efforts that are the foundation of providing prime hunting opportunities to a broader populace who might not otherwise have access to these and other WMA around the state. The Upland Game Bird Advisory Board is proud to recognize and publicize the generous contributions of these two Quail Unlimited chapters.”

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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Eddie Hines of Bonham was honored for his work with the National Wild Turkey Federation in a ceremony before the TPW Commission here March 27.

Hines was named the NWTF Enforcement Officer of the Year for Texas. Paul Ferrell, East Texas regional director for the NWTF, cited Hines’ ongoing community involvement, his work in youth education and his work with other law enforcement agencies in northeast Texas.

Hines also was instrumental in forming a Fannin County chapter of the NWTF and helped raise more than $16,000, some $3,000 of which will be used for Texas projects such as wild turkey habitat enhancement and restoration and education. (more…)

On March 26, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted changes to hunting and fishing regulations designed to create additional recreational opportunities while effectively managing the state’s natural resources.

As part of the annual regulations review process, public input and discussion among agency staff two proposals related to upland bird hunting were withdrawn. Staff recommended turning to the Commission’s newly appointed Game Bird Advisory Committee for further discussion on potential changes to quail and pheasant regulations.

One other proposal, which would have extended regulations allowing the take of catfish by means of bow and arrow, was also withdrawn. As of September 1, 2008, taking of catfish by means of bow and arrow will no longer be legal. (more…)

A myriad of organizations working to save the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle recognized Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees for playing key roles in helping to recover the turtle, which nests only in Texas and Mexico.

“The Kemp’s Ridley still the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world, but we’re moving in the right direction,” said Patrick Burchfield, Ph.D., director of the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, and a lead coordinator for the bi-national turtle recovery effort involving Texas and Mexico.

“In 1985, only 702 Ridley turtles came to nest on beaches at Rancho Nuevo in Mexico. Last year, at our six bi-national turtle camps in Mexico we had about 6,000 nesting turtles return. And in our state, a record 128 Kemp’s Ridley nests were found on Texas beaches. This could not have happened without the hard work of many people, including four Texas Parks and Wildlife employees who have consistently championed funding and support for this cause for many years.”

At the TPW Commission meeting March 27, Burchfield and several partners took turns recognizing the four TPWD employees. Several awards were presented from commercial shrimping organizations. A little history explains why shrimpers are applauding the Ridley’s recovery. (more…)

2008 Photographer/Landowner Symposium: Ranch Nature Photography For Fun And Profit Images for Conservation Fund (ICF) and Texas Agrilife Extension, in conjunction with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department present Nature Photography Symposium: Ranch Nature Photography for Fun and Profit to unite landowners and photographers in the new enterprise of Private Land Nature Photo Tourism for Conservation.

The Saturday, March 29th Symposium will be held at Texas A&M Kingsville. For more info, go here.