Justin Thigpen

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The mission of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) 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. Since our inception in 1895 as the Fish & Oyster Commission, with Texas Game Wardens providing "Law Enforcement off the Pavement,"​ and with the addition of the Game Department in 1907, we became the Texas Game & Fish Commission. When we merged with the State Parks Board in 1963, we became Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Some TPWD highlights: * Our Coastal Fisheries Division manages resources in 4 million acres of saltwater to sustain fisheries populations and ensure that stocks of commercially and recreationally important species are replenishable. Visit Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson to learn more and to volunteer! * Our Inland Fisheries Division works to protect and enhance freshwater aquatic resources across 1.7 million acres of public impoundments and 191,000 miles of rivers and streams. Learn more at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens and to volunteer! * Our Wildlife Division conducts annual population surveys of 1,200 species and helps develop wildlife management plans for over 30 million acres of private lands. *Texas Game Wardens enforce the TPWD code + all regulations; the Texas Penal Code & selected statutes + regulations applicable to hazardous materials and more. *TPWD's Texas Outdoor Family Program hosts worskhops at State Parks around the state where your family receives hands-on experience learning basic outdoor skills. We provide all the equipment, too! Check out "Texas Outdoor Family"​ on our website for complete details. *We have lots of volunteer opportunities where you may help us provide outdoor recreation; manage our natural and cultural resources and more! Select "Volunteer"​ on our home page to get started! #BetterOutside #TxStateParks