Urgent Press Release for ALL Texas Anglers Important Public Hearing you MUST attend!

Tuesday, November 15th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Lone Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road (FM 1484) Conroe, Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — On Nov. 17 and 18, 2005, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin will convene the first statewide conference in Texas on non-native invasive plants as part of the Pulling Together Initiative. Conference planning is led by a coalition of interested parties who recognize the importance of creating networks of information about the potentially negative impacts of non-native invasive plant species. The coalition includes: the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas Forest Service, Houston Area Research Council, Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, National Biological Information Infrastructure, and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

AUSTIN, Texas — “Protect Rivers to Conserve Bays” is the theme for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s upcoming Coastal Expo events. “Rivers are the lifeblood of Texas bays. They protect and nourish the plants and animals that create ecologically healthy and economically beneficial estuaries,” says Larry McKinney, Ph.D. and Coastal Fisheries Division Director at TPWD. At Coastal Expos, visitors interact with crabs, fish, and other coastal animals while learning about freshwater inflows, coastal conservation issues and beach habitats. The expos will be held in Marble Falls and Edinburg. Admission is free. Activities include touch tanks with a wide variety of live coastal animals such as sea urchins, sea squirts, crabs. At the glass-bottom stream, visitors will learn about animals’ natural habitats and how bugs can indicate pollution levels in water. Participants will also have an opportunity to solve a mysterious fish kill, paint images of coastal fish, identify beach objects by touch, and learn about fishing, boating safety, and other coastal issues through a variety of fun and educational devices. TPWD is partnering with Lower Colorado River Authority for the Marble Falls event. The World Birding Center-Edinburg and the City of Edinburg are partnering to bring Coastal Expo to Edinburg. TPWD Department divisions that contribute their time and staff include: Coastal Fisheries, State Parks, Communications, Wildlife, Inland Fisheries, and Law Enforcement. Local volunteers are needed and will be given a short training class the day of each event. No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt. Coastal Expo details are as follows: * Marble Falls — March 11-12 at Johnson Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Those interested in volunteering should contact Frank Falkstein at (512) 397- 6718 or frank.falkstein@lcra.org. * Edinburg — March 16-17 at Edinburg Municipal Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a Friday evening event from 6-10 p.m. Those interested in volunteering should contact Kris Shipman at (956) 381-9922 or moliva@edinburgwbc.com.

SAN ANTONIO — The recent acquisition of 421 acres of significant endangered-species land increases the total acreage of the Government Canyon State Natural Area in San Antonio to 8,622 acres. The acquisition, announced Feb. 3 by The Trust for Public Land, is part of a 12-year effort by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, local agencies, residents and conservation groups to protect land located over the Edwards Aquifer, which is the primary source of drinking water for the City of San Antonio. Government Canyon provides a remarkable recreation destination for area-residents and is scheduled to open on June 4. The property, known as Canyon Ranch, is crucial to the completion of the state natural area because it is situated between two properties previously acquired by TPL. The property is also extremely important for the protection of nine federally-listed endangered invertebrate species, including three small eyeless beetles, a small eyeless harvestman, and five other small spiders, including the Madla’s cave spider. “TPL is pleased to be a partner in the effort to preserve Canyon Ranch,” said Amy Wanamaker, TPL project manager. “It is a treasure-trove of native plants and wildlife.” Approximately 70 percent of the property will be owned by TPWD. The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Water System will each own 15 percent of the property. TPWD will manage the 421-acre site. “This is an example of how working together we can do great conservation projects for the people of Texas that we could not have achieved alone,” said Walt Dabney, TPWD’s director of state parks. “It is one more component of a longstanding partnership between TPWD and TPL in the conservation of urban-fringe landscapes and high-value habitat in San Antonio.” TPWD applied for and secured a $3.5 million U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grant that included a funding match from the City of San Antonio and SAWS. The local funding came through the City of San Antonio’s Proposition 3 Program that authorized a 1/8 cent sales tax increment to locate and purchase undeveloped land in the Edwards Aquifer’s recharge and contributing zones as a means of protecting the aquifer from pollution. “We are appreciative to all of the folks that have worked so hard to make this happen,” said Bob Pine, administrator for the Austin Ecological Services Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Preserving Canyon Ranch will not only safeguard the Edwards Aquifer, but also will help a number of endangered species.” U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn and U.S. Representatives Henry Bonilla and Pete Sessions were extremely supportive of the federal grant. This acquisition is also part of the Edwards Aquifer Land Acquisition and Park Expansion Program for permanent protection of the city’s drinking water. TPL has pursued projects associated within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone since 1990, protecting more than 11,500 acres over the Aquifer. “We are so delighted to have acquired this property to protect the Edwards Aquifer,” said former San Antonio City Council member Bonnie Conner, who represents District 4 as a member of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors. “This is a significant accomplishment made possible by the citizens of San Antonio through their vote in 2000.”

CONROE, Texas — Managing Private Impoundments for Better Fishing will be the goal of ‘Bass 102’ scheduled for March 19 at the Lone Star Convention Center. “Private pond owners who attend will benefit from learning complete management techniques for how to improve their ponds and lakes for better fishing. Participants will also benefit from speakers with over 100 years of combined experience and nationally known for their expertise in fish pond management,” said Michael Masser, Extension Fisheries Specialist at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at TAMU. The statewide workshop will be co-hosted by Texas A&M University’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Pre-registration by March 4 is $50 per person or $75 after that date and at the door. Complete program proceedings of pond management information will be provided for each participant. The program starts with talks about pond ecology and pond-renovation techniques. Experts about other aspects of managing private waters for better fishing will speak about topics including water quality, stocking and management strategies, improving existing ponds, aquatic vegetation management, troubleshooting problems, and the seminar will conclude with an ask-the-experts panel. Also, three continuing education units for private, commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators recertification will be offered to participants. A trade show will run concurrently throughout the event and exhibitors are invited to set up booths for $200 per booth.