(music plays)
[Carter Smith] As we reflect on the last 50 years there's
many milestones that we're proud of. A state park system that is literally doubled in size,
providing recreational opportunities to over 8 million Texans and their families. The department
has helped save the redfish from the gill netters, placed bighorn sheep on many a mountaintop
in West Texas, brown pelicans come off the endangered species list, we've got aplomado
falcons restored south Texas, more deer, dove and duck hunters than any other state.
By any measure, we have a lot to be proud of in the last 50 years.
[Dan Friedkin] Texas has created a wildlife management plan
program many years ago and this is a program that has increased in size significantly.
And it's a way of managing species holistically. It's a habitat-based management and a science-based
management program and it really benefits the wildlife of our state.
[Carter Smith] The origins of the department really go back
to the late 1800s with the creation of the Oyster Commission. By 1923 the Texas State
Parks board was created under the leadership of Governor Pat Neff. And then in 1963, under
the leadership of then Governor John Connelly, who helped foster the merger of the Game and
Fish Commission and the Texas State Parks board. And out of that was born the Texas
Parks and Wildlife department.
[Dan Allen Hughes] In 1988 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
authorized the purchase of Big Bend Ranch, now the Big Bend Ranch State Park. It's the
biggest park in our park system, over 300,000 acres. It doubled the amount of park holdings
that the department had at that time. The Big Bend acquisition was very important. It
just showed the goal and mission of the department and the commission to acquire more land, more
state parks, more areas for our citizens to be able to go out and recreate. Following
that have been some other big purchases, Devils River Ranch, Palo Pinto Ranch. Big Bend Ranch
was kinda the first big one that got us looking at the opportunities.
[Dan Friedkin] It's really all about people who have a passion
for this state and want to contribute in meaningful ways. And use their resources and their talents
to help protect this state and to help keep everything that's unique
about this state for future generations.
(music plays)
[Lee Bass] The department's had many keystone achievements
over the last half century. That on everybody's list at the top items has to be the conservation
and enhancement of our freshwater and our saltwater fisheries. They're better than they've
ever been. My father, Perry Bass, was on the Parks and Wildlife Commission from '77 til
'83. Having spent most of his life fishing the coastal waters, my father could see firsthand
that the stocks of redfish and speckled trout were declining; that the commercial pressures
on those fisheries was increasing and that there was a burden that the resource couldn't
bear. And he became passionate about protecting that resource for future generations of sportsmen.
And took on the battle along with Walter Fondren, GCCA and many others who led the charge to
help get legislation, known as the redfish bill. There was also an effort to enhance
the fishery by starting a hatchery program. The first redfish fingerling ever born in
captivity was in 1983. And since that time there have been millions, probably hundreds
of millions, of redfish from our state hatcheries that have gone into our bays and enhanced
what's now a vibrant fishery.
Having sound science has allowed Texas Parks and Wildlife to make sound resource decisions
and also to enhance the public support of those decisions.
[Dan Friedkin] Creating a science-based management system
and making decisions about wildlife resources that are based on strong science, has been
a discipline that's been very important for Texas Parks and Wildlife. And has helped improve
and perpetuate species across the state in ways that are very unique.
(music plays)
[Carter Smith] One of the emerging trends has been a heightened
increase in conservation philanthropy. And we've recognized the power of matching public
and private investments to achieve our fisheries and wildlife and parks-related goals.
[Dan Friedkin] I think one of the key objectives for the
department, going forward, is to create meaningful private-public partnerships with the State
of Texas. We have to get partners, corporate partners, individuals who are passionate about
the wildlife resources of this state, engaged and involved, for future generations and the
benefit of our children and our grandchildren. Most people don't realize that Texas has 11
unique eco-regions. That's more than any other state. As we know, 95% of this state is privately
owned. So, one of the great accomplishments of the department is working with landowners,
and working with partners, to have a wildlife management plan that's based on very sound
science and based on habitat.
[Lee Bass] Texas Parks and Wildlife has led the nation
in creating private lands programs, working with private land owners, to enhance opportunity
for sportsmen. Today there are over 30 million acres enrolled in wildlife management plans
in cooperation with the department. It's a huge number.
I think Texans by nature take pride in their land; they take pride in their stewardship
of their land. And to be recognized as a Lone Star Land Steward is the highest achievement
that a steward can
[Lee Bass] I think our state and Texas Parks and Wildlife
has three great challenges going forward. One is water
[Carter Smith] All roads in life lead back to water. And
so we take a big vision approach to it.
[Lee Bass] Habitat's another great challenge. How do
we maintain and enhance habitat for our natural resources in the coming years?
[Dan Friedkin] One of the things that we recognize on the
commission, and I think most Texans understand, is that we have a very unique state. And we
need to protect it and do everything we can to enhance our cultural and natural resources.
[Lee Bass] Another great challenge is how do we maintain
Texans' connection with the outdoors in an increasingly urbanized environment?
[Dan Friedkin] The hunting and fishing that we've done in
this state has created a lot of opportunities for our family to be together, to spend time
in the great outdoors and to do things that we all enjoy. Our vision and our goal is to
make that approachable for more Texans and to create opportunities for more families
in this state to enjoy the outdoors.
[Carter Smith] Just as our lands and waters have changed,
so, too, have the faces of Texas. When the agency was created back in 1963, we were a
decidedly rural state. Today, we're a decidedly urban state. Texans are increasingly disconnected
to the outdoors and natural resources. And so, much of our effort today, really, is taking
programs to where the people are.
[Dan Friedkin] I've never seen such a dedicated group of
individuals who are all working toward a common goal and common mission. I think that's pretty
unique, particularly for a state agency.
[Lee Bass] My vision for Texas Parks and Wildlife going forward is to build on our strengths.
We have the finest fish and wildlife professionals, we have the finest game wardens, we have the
finest park professionals. We have a strong commitment to science and a strong commitment
to maintaining opportunities for Texans to enjoy our natural resources.
[Carter Smith] If we think about the next 50 years, we want
to leave our lands and waters and fish and wildlife and parks better than what we found
them. Our vision for our home ground is a place where all Texans are connected to and
care for the great outdoors. We want a very vibrant state parks system that's accessible
and available to all Texans. We want fish and wildlife populations that are bountiful
and flourishing on both public and private lands. And ultimately, we want a stewardship
ethic that resonates with all Texans and helps encourage them to take care of this place
that we call home.
Imagine the next 50 years.
[Dan Friedkin] Join us
[Lee Bass] Join us
[Dan Allen Hughes] Join us
[Carter Smith] Join us in keepin' it wild.