A partnership between the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Playa Lakes Joint Venture and other conservation organizations has recently filled three new Farm Bill wildlife biologist positions in the Texas Panhandle.

With whooping cranes now making their way back to Texas for the winter, biologists are hoping this year will see a record number of the endangered birds in the state.

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

Gov. Rick Perry has named TWA Life Member Dan Friedkin of Houston chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, and appointed Bill Jones of Austin to the commission effective Sept. 1, 2011. The commission oversees the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Texas Wildlife Association supports Proposition 8 on the November ballot that amends the state constitution to provide for taxation of open-space land devoted to water stewardship purposes on the basis of its productive capacity.

At the very tip of South Texas in Estero Llano Grande State Park, Christopher Sandoval stands at a trail head waiting for visitors. Sandoval is interning this summer with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.