Posts Tagged ‘Texas Parks and Wildlife’

Jun
07

Fun at the Texas Amphibian Watch Workshop at the Houston Zoo

Posted by in amphibians,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,Texas

Texas Toad

 Amphibians are small but mighty.  They have been called the birds of night, which anyone that has been outside by a pond at night can understand.  Their vocalizations often fill the night air.  Frogs and toads work diligantly to keep insects in check and are vital to the survival of many other species. But besides that these little creatures are full of character, they come in many shapes, colors and sizes.  Their distinct calls allow us to connect with them without even seeing them.

Coastal Plains Toad

Last Friday,  the Houston zoo hosted a Texas Amphibian Watch family workshop.  It was designed to help familiarize  participants with local amphibians.   Fun was had by all!  During a lesson on frog calls the Zoo’s auditorium was filled with beautiful froggy singing voices as all of the participants mimiced frog vocalizations in an effort to thouroughly learn them. Everyone got to hike through the wilds of Herman park to listen and watch for our slippery little friends.

Woodhouse Toad

 

This program offered everyone the opportunity to help conserve amphibians in Texas by learning how to collect information about local frogs and toads for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.   Participants were very excited to become scientists in their own back yard!

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May
16

The new Conservation Annual Report is here!

Posted by in community-based conservation,Conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,Texas

Houston Toad release

So, what has the conservation department been up to over the past year?  I am sure you hear snippets here and there about the work we do, but we wanted to make sure we had a way for people to get a full scope of what the Houston Zoo is doing around the world to ensure that the endangered species we house here at the zoo will continue to thrive in the wild.  With the help of our partners we are endeavoring to ensure the security of the planet’s biodiversity.  

 

Attwater's prairie chicken chick

Our report tells of a lot of great progress in wildlife conservation this year.  You can read about the observation of female captive bred Attwater’s prairie chickens raising their chicks in the wild.  The goal in wildlife conservation is not just to save species, we also seek to improve the lives of the local communities.   You will enjoy the story of how children in Rwanda love to dress up and learn about wildlife through plays and dance.   This report will inspire you and bring you up to speed on the depth of our efforts.   

“This report is full of human partnerships and friendships that give us hope for the future, as science alone cannot save a species“  a quote from the Houston Zoo Director, Rick Barongi.

Click here to read the Conservation Annual Report.

 

 

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Aug
16

Texas

Posted by in amphibians,Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Endangered Species,Field Research,Sea Turtles,Texas,What You Can Do

Everything is bigger in Texas, and the biodiversity is no exception. Ten recognized eco-regions are home to an amazing abundance of wildlife and plants in the Lone Star State. Over 80 species of mammals, 600 plus species of birds, more than 250 species of reptiles and amphibians and countless thousands of species of invertebrates can be found in Texas. Of the nearly 6,000 species of plants found here, at least 325 are endemic and found nowhere else in the world.

North American River Otter

Our Houston toad head-start program has seen over 30,000 tadpoles and toads released to their natal ponds this year alone. One of the most critically endangered birds in the United States, the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken, is hatched and reared for release to augment their ever dwindling wild population. Our Education staff conducts field and science based programs for local school children to foster appreciation for this endemic grouse. Outreach programs also focus on the restoration of the black bear to the dense Pineywoods of East Texas, our vanishing coastal prairies, endangered sea turtles and local amphibian declines. In a state that is 97 percent private, we continue to expand collaboration with landowners – both working with them directly and assisting with workshops to teach them to manage their property for endangered wildlife. Other local research and field activities include turtle road mortality and mitigation, sea turtle nest patrols, and assistance with ongoing graduate projects with local universities.

Attwater's Prairie Chicken chickThe Houston Zoo’s conservation mission is to make the Houston Zoo a leader in conservation as it relates to the survival of threatened wildlife, the wise use of natural resources, and the appreciation of our natural world by our zoo visitors. We take wildlife conservation in Texas seriously and we would like for all Texans to appreciate the State’s unique habitats and heritage.

Want to hear more about what makes Texas so special? Then join us on November 17th for a very special speaker event featuring Carter Smith, Executive Director, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 6:30pm-8:00pm in our Brown Education Center. Link here for tickets.

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Jun
16

Keep Texas Wild! Horned Lizards

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Texas,Travel

Just received a note from some friends at Texas Parks and Wildlife promoting Horned Lizards: 

Everyone loves horny toads, but for many Texans the fierce-looking yet amiable reptile is only a fond childhood memory. Once common throughout most of the state, the horny toad (or Texas Horned Lizard) has disappeared from many parts of its former range over the past 30 years. However, for those horny toads left, the best time to see them is now—from May through August in West and South Texas. Take some time to learn more about this native Texan and what you can do to help conserve the few that are left.

Yes, I know Houston is not in West or South Texas. But many of you travel across the state throughout the summer so keep an eye out for these little reptiles.

You can find a nice article on the Horned Lizard at Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Join the Texas Horned Lizard Watch Program, Join the Horned Lizard Conservation Society, or my favorite – Watch the Legend of Old Rip! The Lizard who apparently survived 31 years in a time capsule in Eastland, Texas beginning in 1897. “He’s our most famous citizen – he’s dead, but he is still our most famous citizen”.

Four Fun Horned Lizard Facts:

1. Horned Lizards are reptiles with scales, claws and eggs laid on land. However, the horned lizard’s scientific name, Phrynosoma, actually means “toady-body,” based on the lizards’ short, fat body shape
2. Horny Toads squirt blood from their eyelids at their targets, which usually consist of canine predators, such as foxes, coyotes and even dogs. 3. The primary source of food for Horned Lizards is ants- harvester ants that is! They can eat over 100 per day.
4. Scientists continue to research why the Horned Lizard has declined so dramatically in many parts of the state. Their disappearance has been blamed on many factors, including the spread of the red imported fire ant, changes in land use, collection for the pet trade, and environmental contaminants.

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May
19

Keep Texas Wild!

Posted by in Texas,Travel,What You Can Do

Many of us drive. At least while the human carrying flying dragons are on strike, we need to drive. So here is something which takes little effort and will help Keep Texas Wild.

State of Texas Conservation License Plates! 

Show your support for wildlife! Put a Horned Lizard plate on your vehicle, trailer or motorcycle and help conserve wildlife diversity by funding a vast array of projects that help protect native species such as the state’s official reptile, the Horned Lizard. All projects funded by this plate are used to implement the Texas Wildlife Action Plan. That and you have always wanted that state’s official reptile on your license plate anyway so what is keeping you from doing this?

Go to http://www.conservation-plate.org/index.phtml and apply now for one of the state’s specialty plates to protect wildlife.

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Feb
15

Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Weekend

Posted by in Diamondback Terrapins,Texas,What You Can Do

kid and mom with trapTexas Parks and Wildlife Department officials announced drop-off sites for the 8th Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, scheduled this year from Feb. 19 to 28.

During this 10-day period, all Texas bays will be closed to crabbing with crab traps, and any traps left in the bay will be presumed to be abandoned and considered litter under state law, thus allowing volunteers to legally remove any crab traps they find.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the coast-wide effort to remove the numerous wire mesh traps that have been lost or abandoned since last year’s cleanup.

To facilitate volunteer trap removal efforts this year, TPWD will provide facilitated trap drop-off sites at several locations along the coast Saturday, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to noon, weather permitting. Additionally, at all sites, dumpsters marked with banners will be available to receive traps for the duration of the closure.

Volunteers can work at their own pace during the closure as time and weather permit, but traps cannot be removed prior to Feb. 19 or after Feb 28. Last year, volunteers, with the aid of numerous sponsors, removed more than 1,900 traps bring the total removed since the program began to 25,974.

Thanks to the donations of the Coastal Conservation Association, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, and others,  volunteers can arrange to pick-up free tarps, gloves, trap hooks and additional information at their local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Field Stations. TPWD requests that volunteers record and submit information about the number of traps that they collect as well as any sightings of diamondback terrapins.

For more information about the Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program and how you can volunteer, please contact your local TPWD Coastal Fisheries Office or Art Morris at the Corpus Christi Field Station: (361) 825-3356, art.morris@tpwd.state.tx.us; or Tonya Wiley at the Dickinson Marine Lab: (281) 534-0131, tonya.wiley@tpwd.state.tx.us.

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