TPWD 50TH ANNIVERSARY: The Texas Parks and Wildlife 
department turns fifty this year ... [05 " ... it's creation."] ... we'll 
do just that ... ahead on Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Fifty years ago the State Parks Board and the Texas Game 
and Fish Commission merged.

03 -- To create what is now the Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department.

Carter Smith is TPW Executive Director.

37 -- There was a lot of angst and anxiety over that merger and 
acquisition and what would that mean: Would the state's fish and 
wildlife and their conservation somehow be diluted by the merger 
with the State Parks Board, or would state parks suffer because of 
too much emphasis on fish and wildlife and law enforcement and 
other programs? But I think any objective person looking back on 
the past 50 years and all the attendant accomplishments and 
milestones that have come from the creation of this department 
would have to call it an unqualified success.

State park acreage has increased tenfold since the merger; 
the agency reintroduced desert bighorn sheep to their 
traditional range in Far West Texas. TPW developed a 
world class largemouth bass fishery, and created myriad 
opportunities for Texans to enjoy the outdoors. And that's 
just a fraction the accomplishments from the first fifty 
years. 

15 -- There's been some extraordinary synergies that have come 
from the creation of this fine agency that is so rich with lore and 
legacy and history and heritage and meaning to all Texans. And 
Looking back it seems like an awfully good idea at the time.

Tomorrow: Looking ahead to the next fifty years. Until 
then, spend time outdoors and share it with others, 
because Life's Better Outside.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.



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