- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
-
Official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department logo
The headquarters of the department
A sign indicating the direction of the headquartersThe 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]
Contents
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
Boats & Licenses Building in AustinThe 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]
Officer Date of death Details Game Warden Harry Raymond Sunday, September 14, 1919 Drowned Captain Joe Williams Sunday, September 14, 1919 Drowned Game Warden Dawson R. Murchison Tuesday, December 20, 1938 Gunfire Game Warden Richard Moore Wynne Monday, November 1, 1948 Automobile accident Game Warden Gus A. Engeling Friday, December 14, 1951 Gunfire Game Warden Claude Keller Wednesday, February 22, 1956 Aircraft accident Game Warden John David Murphree Sunday, December 8, 1963 Gunfire Game Warden Joe Marshall Evans Thursday, May 6, 1965 Automobile accident Game Warden Lloyd Dean Gustin Monday, March 25, 1968 Drowned Game Warden Ronnie L. Germany Sunday, July 29, 1973 Gunfire Game Warden James Eugene Daughtrey Friday, December 8, 1978 Automobile accident Game Warden Franklin Bruce Hill Saturday, May 26, 1990 Drowned Game Warden William Barry Decker Saturday, May 26, 1990 Drowned Game Warden Michael Charles Pauling Thursday, August 2, 2001 Vehicular assault Game Warden Wesley Warren Wagstaff Tuesday, August 5, 2003 Automobile accident Game Warden Justin Hurst Saturday, March 17, 2007 Gunfire Game Warden Teyran (Ty) Patterson Wednesday, May 30, 2007 Drowned Game Warden George Harold Whatley Jr. Friday, October 10, 2008 Heart attack See also
References
- ^ "Directions to TPWD Headquarters." Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Accessed August 28, 2008.
- ^ "Directions to TPWD Headquarters." Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Retrieved on July 6, 2010.
- ^ "City of Austin Development Map Viewer." City of Austin. Accessed August 28, 2008.
- ^ "TPWD Activities and History". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2006-04-26. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/about/history/. Retrieved 2006-09-11.
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.tpwmagazine.com/
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
External links
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Categories:- State agencies of Texas
- State law enforcement agencies of Texas
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