Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) is a Texas state agency that oversees and protects wildlife and their habitats. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks and historical areas. Its mission is to manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The agency maintains its headquarters at 4200 Smith School Road in Austin.^[1][2][3]

History

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department was formed in 1963, when the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were officially merged.

In 1983, the Texas legislature passed the Wildlife Conservation Act, giving the department the authority for managing fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties. The department operates 114 state parks/historical sites,51 wildlife management areas,eight fish hatcheries,and numerous field offices state wide. On January 1, 2008, several historic sites formerly maintained by TPWD were transferred to the Texas Historical Commission.

Employees

The agency employees over 3500 permanent employees, and 300 interns every summer, from every field of study. Intern programs vary but are typically 12 weeks long and go from May until August.^[4]

Organization

The department is made up of eleven divisions:

• Wildlife
• Coastal Fisheries
• Inland Fisheries
• Law Enforcement - Game wardens and deputy game wardens primarily enforce the provisions of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code but are fully empowered peace officers with state-wide jurisdiction and may make arrests for any offense.^[5]
• State Parks
• Infrastructure
• Legal
• Administrative Resources
• Communications
• Human Resources
• Information Technology

TPWD operates 93 Parks and 140 offices across the state of Texas.

Magazine

TPWD publishes a monthly magazine available both in print and online, known as TPM Magazine.^[6]

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Division, 18 officers have died in the line of duty. Included in the follow list are officers from the Texas Game and Fish Commission and the Texas Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission, which merged into the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.^[7][8][9]

See also

• List of Texas state parks
• Texas State Railroad

References

External links

• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website
• Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine