Wildlife & Conservation
Texas Fireflies Spark a Singular Sense of Wonder — And They're Surprisingly Diverse
Our state may have been the ancestral home of the beloved lightning bug.
Scientists Dig Into Soil to Help the Houston Toad Make a Texas-Size Comeback
Texas' only endemic toad requires very specific conditions to thrive.
- A Great Texas Birding Classic Team Tallies Hundreds of Species on a Trek From Big Bend to the Coast Story by Jennifer Bristol
- Third Annual Bird Bingo Contest Begins Story by TPWD Staff
- Vireos Occupy a Special Place in the Texas Bird Landscape Story by Sneed B. Collard III
Quinta Mazatlán Opens the Center for Urban Ecology
South Texas landmark reimagines child's play with its latest addition.
Ask a Grackle: Why Do You Keep Shouting at Us?
It turns out that I'm pretty loud.
Wexford Ranches Receive Conservation Award
Owners have been stewarding land through generations at the South and West Texas properties.
Recent in Birding
Young People Are Falling in Love With Birding
Bird-watching is an accessible and enjoyable way for youth to connect to nature.
Story and photos by Jessica Alexander
Third Annual Bird Bingo Contest Begins
The game soared to new heights in 2025 with more than 2,500 birds spotted.
Story by TPWD Staff
A Great Texas Birding Classic Team Tallies Hundreds of Species on a Trek From Big Bend to the Coast
The annual competition challenges participants to find as many species as possible.
Story by Jennifer Bristol
Upper Texas Coast Provides Vital Resting Spots for Migrating Birds
Coastal woodlots serve as lifesaving stations as birds make the long journey across the Gulf.
Story by Denise Viosca Gary
Vireos Occupy a Special Place in the Texas Bird Landscape
Black-capped vireos are the most well-known, but others deserve recognition as well.
Story by Sneed B. Collard IIIRecent in Wildlife
Big Bend Bighorns
The charismatic desert sheep are back in their former stomping grounds.
By Kristen Tibbetts
From Mortgage Banker to Wildlife Technician
How one man made a radical career change.
Story by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Speedy Pronghorn: Made to Move
Speedy pronghorn face challenges they can’t outrun.
Story by Paula Levihn-Coon
Laughing Gulls Make Their Presence Known All Along the Texas Coast
Their ha-ha-ha chortles sound like birdy laughter.
Story by Sheryl Smith-Rodgers
Stick Bugs Are Masters of Disguise
These insects, which can grow up to seven inches long, survive by blending in.
Story by Pam LeBlancRecent in Plants
Poison Ivy: Here’s What You Need to Know
If it has leaves of three, let it be!
Story by Melissa Gaskill
New App Helps Texans Grow Native Plants
Wild Thumb helps Texans choose the right native plants for their location.
Story by Lydia Saldaña
This Collection of Plants Helps Scientists Understand how Texas has Changed Over Time
The plant collection resides at Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Swanflowers Serve as Hosts to Pipevine Swallowtails
Inconspicuous plant sports an orchid-like bloom; butterflies feast on it.
Story by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Seeds of Knowledge: Female Pioneers of Texas Botany
Ynes Mexia was a plant collector and explorer; Maude Young was state botanist and textbook author.
Story by Louie BondRecent in Land Stewardship
Wexford Ranches Receive Conservation Award
Owners have been stewarding land through generations at the South and West Texas properties.
Story by Lerrin Johnson
Eating Seasonally and Locally Means Fresher, Tastier Food
Texas farmers harvest a bounty each year — so why is it so hard to eat locally?
Story by Stephanie Scherzer
Meet the Majestic Mountains of Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area
The 12,000-acre property is home to bighorn sheep and other desert wonders.
Story by Morgan O'Hanlon
Cross Bar Is a Special Piece of Federal Land in the Panhandle
The recreation area is the only Bureau of Land Management site in Texas. Access is coming.
Story by Morgan O'Hanlon
Recording Rock Imagery at Hueco Tanks State Park
The first comprehensive rock art survey at Hueco Tanks has yielded unrecorded pictograph panels.
Story by Eva FrederickRecent in Conservation
Cooper Wildlife Management Area Works to Restore Its Native Grassland
Biologists use prescribed burns and native seed plantings in prairie restoration.
Story by Russell Roe
Meet the Barton Springs Salamander, an Aquatic Austinite
This red-gilled resident dwells in the heart of the city.
Story by Gwendolyn Reed
Conservation License Plates Support Wildlife, Parks
Program marks 25 years of conservation on Texas roads.
Story by Tenley Jackson
Disease Leads to a Critical Crossroads For Texas Bighorn
TPWD and partners focus on fighting a deadly disease affecting the sheep.
Story by Lydia Saldaña
Land Acquired in East, West Texas for Wildlife Management Areas
The new WMA properties lie along two of Texas' most storied rivers — the Trinity and the Rio Grande.
Story by TPWD StaffRecent in Science
Scientists Dig Into Soil to Help the Houston Toad Make a Texas-Size Comeback
Texas' only endemic toad requires very specific conditions to thrive.
Story by Erin Wunderlich
Paddlefish Project Paying Off
East Texans may no longer find themselves up a creek (or river) without a paddlefish.
Story by Eva Frederick
The Great Texas Tortoise Turn-In
Texas Parks and Wildlife is preparing to release 180 captive Texas tortoises into the wild.
Story by Eva Frederick
How Do Fish Swim?
Fish make it look so easy, but the science behind swimming is complex and fascinating.
Story by Eva Frederick
Citizen Scientists Are an Essential Part of Research in Texas
Community members collect valuable data on Texas plants and animals.
Story by Eva FrederickRecent in Wildlife Management Areas
Matador Wildlife Management Area Protects a Rugged Piece of the Rolling Plains
Restored grassland habitat allows quail and other wildlife to flourish.
Story by Brandon Weaver
Old Sabine Bottom Is a Hunter’s Secret That Welcomes Hikers, Birders and More
Wildlife management area features rich river bottomlands habitat.
Story by Morgan O'Hanlon
Wildlife Management Areas Offer Public Hunting for Turkey
For spring turkey season, these spots are the land of the gobbler.
Story by Russell Roe
East Texas Wildlife Management Area Is a Watery Wonderland
Angelina-Neches/Dam B straddles an area between two rivers.
Story by Russell Roe
Texas Offers Duck Hunting on Public Land
You can find wings over the wetlands at these Texas wildlife management areas.
Story by Eva Frederick