Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Encyclopedia
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
state agency that oversees and protects wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
and their habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
s. In addition, the agency is responsible for managing the state's parks
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
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
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
.
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
Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
.
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.Organization
The department is made up of eleven divisions:- Wildlife
- Coastal Fisheries
- Inland Fisheries
- Law Enforcement - Game wardenGame wardenA game warden is an employee who has the role of protecting wildlife. Game wardens may also be referred to as conservation officers or wildlife officers...
s 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. - 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.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.| Officer | Date of death | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Game Warden Harry Raymond | |
Drowned |
| Captain Joe Williams | |
Drowned |
| Game Warden Dawson R. Murchison | |
Gunfire |
| Game Warden Richard Moore Wynne | |
Automobile accident |
| Game Warden Gus A. Engeling | |
Gunfire |
| Game Warden Claude Keller | |
Aircraft accident |
| Game Warden John David Murphree | |
Gunfire |
| Game Warden Joe Marshall Evans | |
Automobile accident |
| Game Warden Lloyd Dean Gustin | |
Drowned |
| Game Warden Ronnie L. Germany | |
Gunfire |
| Game Warden James Eugene Daughtrey | |
Automobile accident |
| Game Warden Franklin Bruce Hill | |
Drowned |
| Game Warden William Barry Decker | |
Drowned |
| Game Warden Michael Charles Pauling | |
Vehicular assault |
| Game Warden Wesley Warren Wagstaff | |
Automobile accident |
| Game Warden Justin Hurst | |
Gunfire |
| Game Warden Teyran (Ty) Patterson | |
Drowned |
| Game Warden George Harold Whatley Jr. | |
Heart attack |