Texas conservationists welcomed the end of the 89th Legislature on Monday, celebrating a handful of wins and dodging a long list of bad bills that would have undermined the state’s ability to manage wildlife and protect deer herds from Chronic Wasting Disease. Perhaps the most visible victory for wildlife advocates came from the quick and passionate rejection of a bill that would have abolished the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Many other bills, including several supported by deer ...

Everything you will ever need to know to win any argument about the future of our American public lands--special and crucial episode with Walt Dabney. Understanding the background and history of our public lands is critical to safeguarding them for the future. Texas-born Walt Dabney started his National Park Service career in Yellowstone in 1969, worked as a ranger from the Everglades to Alaska, and was the Superintendent of the National Parks in Southeast Utah from 1991-99, completing ...

Last week, a pivotal moment unfolded in Washington, D.C.—one that showcased the strength of a united outdoor community. Deep within the text of a must-pass budget reconciliation bill lurked a late-night amendment threatening nearly half a million acres of America’s public lands. Held in trust by the federal government for all citizens, these lands—from forested ridges to river canyons—faced the prospect of being sold off under the guise of one-time budget relief. For many, the fight began at ...

There are a few things that I know to be absolutes in my realm of existence: government is and should be by the people for the people, that efficiency and effectiveness are two indispensable characteristics of any organization, that conservation action isn’t cut and dry but exceptionally complex and often complicated, and that the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is the crown jewel of wildlife and habitat management organizations in these beautiful United States of America. As of ...