Tag Archives: texas parks and wildlife

December 29, 2011 · 9:15 pm

Reeling in the Top Aquatic Invasive Species in Texas

Dr. Earl W. Chilton II describes the top aquatic invasive species invading Texas lakes and waterways, including Giant Salvinia, Water Hyacinth, and Hydrilla. Although more of a riparian plant, discover why the Giant Reed poses such a threat to the water and native plants along the Rio Grande River. Dr. Chilton is the Aquatic Habitat Enhancement Program Director for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Earl Chilton, Giant Salvinia, Hydrilla, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Water Hyacinth

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December 18, 2011 · 9:16 pm

Turn the Tide Against Zebra Mussels with Texas Parks and Wildlife

Ms. Darcy Bontempo talks about the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s continuing campaign against invasives with their spotlight on the Zebra Mussel, a species that presents an insidious danger with their millions of microscopic larva. She talks about the mussels’ economic and environmental impact and key steps boaters can take to stop their spread. Ms. Bontempo is the Marketing Director for the Communications Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Our state parks need help

Texas Parks and Wildlife needs our help! This year’s drought, heat, and terrible wildfires has led to a drop in park attendance, and park visitor’s fees provide about half of the funding for our state parks.

If you can, please join me in making a donation to help our wonderful natural treasures, our state parks.

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Darcy Bontempo, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Zebra Mussel

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December 18, 2011 · 9:14 pm

Rare Texas Plants Struggle Against Invasive Species

Dr. Karen Clary describes the threat that invasive species pose to our rare Texas plants and recounts the ground-running, native Prostrate Milkweed’s struggle against the tall, invasive King Ranch Bluestem. She also talks about her two most disliked invasive plants, Giant Salvania and Heavenly Bamboo. Dr. Clary is a biologist with the Wildlife Habitat Assessment Program for the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

This video is part of Commander Ben’s “Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed” series of interviews from the 2011 Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Conference.

Learn more about our Central Texas ecosystem

Dr. Clary is also an instructor with Go Native U, which provides a great set of classes to learn more about our native environment. The classes on the flora and fauna of central Texas look really neat, especially those on our native wildflowers, plants, insects, mammals, birds, and reptiles. I look forward to attending these classes in the future!

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Filed under 2011 Texas Invasive Plant Conference, Giant Salvinia, Go Native U, Heavenly Bamboo, Invasive Species: Secrets Revealed, Karen Clary, King Ranch Bluestem, KR Bluestem, Prostrate Milkweed, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

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