|
View this message on our website.
| |
|
|
|
Neighborhood Fishin’ Hooks New Texas Anglers
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Neighborhood Fishin’ program is entering its third decade of introducing Texans to the joys of fishing.
Launched in 2003, the program offers close and convenient fishing opportunities in communities across Texas and is designed to recruit more anglers by bringing fishing close to home. Gulf States Toyota came on board as a sponsor early on, expanding the program across the state.
“Today’s new anglers are tomorrow’s conservation champions, and we’re thrilled that so many Texans are experiencing the fun of Neighborhood Fishin’,” said TPWD Inland Fisheries Director Tim Birdsong. “Toyota has been partnering with us for 18 years now, and we would not be able to provide this opportunity to so many Texans without them. We are grateful for the support."
Here’s how it works: TPWD’s Inland Fisheries staff cherry pick the best small lakes in public parks across the state that offer amenities like playgrounds, parking, restrooms, and great shoreline access or fishing piers. Then they up the game by regularly stocking catchable-sized catfish and rainbow trout. Because we all know that fishing is way more fun when you’re catching!
And biologists being biologists, they’ve rounded up the data that demonstrates the program is landing new anglers across the state. TPWD estimates that more than 100,000 people each year are fishing at these locations, with more than 50,000 of them being new to fishing, and approximately 25,000 children participating annually.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation also supports the program, alongside local governments and sponsors. A June 17 event at Burke Crenshaw Park in Pasadena introduced fishing to several dozen Houston high school students who participated in the Earth Tomorrow program with the National Wildlife Federation.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Gulf States Toyota employees were among the volunteers who helped these young people try fishing for the first time. The Pasadena location is sponsored by Phillips 66 and Pasadena Parks and Recreation.
FIND A NEIGHBORHOOD FISHIN' LOCATION NEAR YOU
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Meet TPWF Ambassador: Sarah Nunley Biedenharn
Sarah Nunley Biedenharn believes in giving back and supporting what she loves, and that includes Texas’ longstanding traditions of ranching, hunting, and conserving our wild things and wild places. She also believes in passing on everything she has learned to Texas’ newest generation.
A fourth-generation Texas rancher, Sarah and her sister grew up working cattle on her family’s ranch near Sabinal, west of San Antonio. “My dad taught us that we could do anything on the ranch that a man could do. The process might look a little different, but there’s no reason that we can’t get it done,” said Biedenharn. “And we did. We grew up working cattle and doing all the things that have to be done on a working ranch."
Sarah was also introduced to the traditionally male-dominated activity of hunting at an early age, going on family hunts and even completing Texas Brigades’ prestigious leadership camp as a South Texas Buckskin Brigade cadet as a teen. And, for as long as Sarah can remember, her family has been involved with the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA), regularly attending TWA’s Wildlife Convention each summer. TWA is a statewide membership organization that serves Texas wildlife and its habitat while protecting property rights, hunting heritage, and the conservation efforts of those who value and steward wildlife resources.
After attending college at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Sarah returned to the San Antonio area and her ranching roots. She began volunteering at TWA and she also joined TPWF’s conservation leadership program, Stewards of the Wild, where she was an active member of the San Antonio Chapter for five years. Stewards of the Wild and TWA, through their Adult Learn to Hunt program, partner together with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to plan, organize, and implement hunting and fishing experiences, and Sarah’s family has hosted multiple groups of young people on their ranch who are taking to the field for the very first time.
“These programs are helping to inspire and nurture the next generation of conservation advocates, and that’s incredibly important. We’re building an army of really young, really smart, motivated people who are passionate about what we love about Texas."
Sarah continues to say yes to opportunities to help spread the message and has signed on as a TPWF ambassador, where she hopes to encourage all Texans to appreciate the wildness of Texas, the vastness of our Texas spirit, and why we should be inspired to conserve it.
“If we want to be sure that the Texas we love is around for our kids and grandkids, we all need to step up and do our part."
READ MORE ABOUT SARAH NUNLEY BIEDENHARN
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Membership Giveaway: Paloma Blanco Dove Hunt
With the height of summer upon us, Texas dove season is just around the corner, and hunters everywhere are counting down the days to return to the field. Each September, TPWF ambassador John Dunaway marks the occasion by hosting the annual Paloma Blanco Dove Hunt in Brownsville.
Thanks to John and the El Capitan Hunt Club, as part of this annual tradition now in its seventh year, one lucky TPWF member and a guest will win a golden ticket to the annual Paloma Blanco Dove Hunt on September 13-16, 2024.
By joining or renewing your TPWF membership* between January 1 and August 9, 2024, you are automatically entered to win the giveaway
Become a member of TPWF today and help keep Texas wild!
JOIN TPWF TODAY
|
| |
| *The price of membership pays for TPWF membership only and not for the chance to win the Paloma Blanco Dove Hunt. Members who join or renew between January 1 and August 9, 2024, are automatically entered in the drawing. The dove hunt is scheduled for September 13-16, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas. Entry to the invite-only event, plus one hunt is the Golden Ticket. Lodging and transportation are not included. |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Save the Date: 4th Annual Gear Up Auction
TPWF’s 4th Annual Gear Up for Game Wardens Online Auction will be held on Oct. 1-3.
Mark your calendars and gear up to bid on an amazing lineup of one-of-a-kind hunting, angling, and outdoor experiences, plus an impressive collection of the latest collectible gear.
The Gear Up for Game Wardens program supports Texas Game Wardens by providing specialty gear to help them do their jobs more safely and effectively. Since 2017, generous donors have helped provide equipment ranging from thermal search and rescue drones to side-scan sonar units, night vision equipment, K-9 units, and more.
Proceeds from the annual online auction provide program support to ensure Gear Up for Game Wardens can continue its work to get much needed specialty equipment in the hands of your Texas Game Wardens.
Save the date for Oct. 1-3 and stay tuned for more details coming soon!
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
