A Plea from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Well, folks, we all know that the Texas State legislature cut a lot of budgets this year in an unsuccessful attempt to balance the budget (although most of the hoopla out of the legislature made it sound like they balanced the budget--that was all smoke and mirrors.) One of the budgets cut tremendously was the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

State parks are in serious financial trouble. There are some in the state who would like nothing better than to sell off parkland to private persons and entities to raise money for state expenditures. Although the parks are public land held in trust for the public, the legislature doesn't consider them a priority. Therefore, private citizens must come to the rescue. Texas Parks and Wildlife has issued a plea to raise $4.6 million through public donations to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. I made a small donation today.

If you have the resources, please consider a contribution to this foundation or to your local Friends group.  Many parks have a 501(c)(3) Friends group to raise money for park improvements and to provide volunteer labor for projects the park doesn't have the manpower to do. Our local Lake Arrowhead State Park started a Friends group this past year. It is too new to be listed on the TPWD site yet, but should be soon as the Memorandum was recently signed. The group meets the first Thursday of each month at 7PM. If you don't have a lot of spare money, consider donating time.

Other ways to help are to visit the park and pay the entry fee ($3 per person at Lake Arrowhead) or purchase an annual park pass for admission to all of the state parks for a year.

Other organizations are getting involved to help increase attendance at the parks. For example, the Texas Ornithological Society is sponsoring a series of bird walks in state parks over the next several months to draw attention to the birdwatching opportunities and to bring in additional visitors.  I will be leading monthly bird walks at Lake Arrowhead State Park beginning in March. I'll post reminders in my sister blog, A Charm of Finches.

If we want parks to be here for future generations, we are going to have to make a personal commitment to do what we can to support the parks we have.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Volunteer Index

I noticed Texas Parks and Wildlife posted a link to their Volunteer Index. It explains the many opportunities to volunteer for various projects to support Texas Parks and Wildlife in their mission. It's unfortunate that there are never enough funds to do everything that needs to be done, but that is the way it is. In our area we have the Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists and the newly formed Friends of Lake Arrowhead State Park. Certainly with the budget picture shaping up in Texas will mean even less money for needed projects. That means if we want to have state parks with good amenities for the public, to know more about our state's environment and to monitor our resources, the extra effort is going to have to come from us. Get acquainted with these groups and others that are so important and think about volunteering. None of us can do everything, but we can all do something that will have a positive impact on our community and our environment.

Recycle Your Live Christmas Tree

If you had a live Christmas tree this year, please take it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) Inland Fisheries office by Thursday. Their office is located at 409 Chester Avenue off Jacksboro Hwy. Trees must not be flocked and can have no tinsel. The office doesn't have to be open--you can see where to drop them off in the parking lot.

Inland Fisheries uses these trees to improve fish habitat in local lakes. Trees have been placed in Lake Arrowhead already and TPWD folks and the Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists will be placing the remaining trees in Lake Wichita on Friday morning.

New Neighborhood Fishing Pond

If you have been traveling on Southwest Parkway recently, then you know the city of Wichita Falls took out the small, overgrown pond near the Y and have replaced it with a much larger, more aesthetic pond, with trails, benches, and next year, a pavillion. I have the privilege of serving on the City Park Board, and we met today at the park to see up close what is happening on this project. It is exciting to know that the City is continuing to improve parks and recreational activities for our community.

The Times Record News ran a short article and photos in today's paper.

They are putting the finishing touches on the pond and soon there should be a grand opening event of some kind. The pond will be stocked for fishing by Texas Parks and Wildlife, as is Plum Lake on Sheppard Access Road.

Once the dirt has all settled, there will be a picnic pavillion on the hill adjacent to the pond and the trail will link to the city trail system.

I encourage individuals who are interested in parks and recreation to apply for a position on the Park Board. Currently there are no vacancies, but seats open regularly. You can apply online and your application will be considered by the City Council as vacancies occur.

Have an Interest in Archaeology?

River Bend will be hosting a Texas Master Naturalist advanced training on archaeology on Saturday, May 22, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. This training is open to the public. If you are not a member of River Bend, there is a $3 admission.

The presenter is Tony Lyle, Cultural Resource Coordinator with the State Parks Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He will be talking about what archaeology is and an overview of the cultural history of the Rolling Plains. Attendees will be able to have hands-on work with artifacts.

Sounds like an interesting class. I plan to attend.

Don't Forget Trees Needed

Don't forget that Inland Fisheries could sure use your live trees for fish habitat. They haven't had many come in and plan to drop trees in Lake Arrowhead next Tuesday morning. In addition to the Inland Fisheries office, you can drop trees at Lake Arrowhead State Park if you live closer to that location.

Help Create Fish Habitat

If you get a live Christmas tree, you can donate that tree after the holidays to help improve fish habitat in Lake Arrowhead.

Normally, Texas Parks and Wildlife gets the leftover trees from various tree lots in town to sink into the lake for fish habitat. The Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalists help with this project. However, this year everyone has sold out of the live trees. Therefore, the fish need your help.

You may drop off live trees in the parking lot at Inland Fisheries at 409 Chester Avenue. Remove all lights, ornaments and tinsel. TPWD cannot use flocked trees--the chemical isn't good for the fish.

If you don't have a way to transport the tree, I can pick up in Wichita Falls (although that begs the question of how you got it home to start with--but things do change.) Just email green.wichitafalls@gmail.com.

The city also accepts trees for mulching, but I haven't seen the details for that yet. I will post when I do.