If you are interested in learning more about managing land for the benefit of wildlife, make plans now to attend the second annual Managing Small Acreage for Wildlife workshop on Saturday, August 29, 2009. This workshop, hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and the East Texas Woods and Water Foundation will be held at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in Tyler (11942 FM 848).
Highlights for this year's event include presentations by Texas Parks and Wildlife and AgriLife Extension personnel on the following topics: Wildlife Management Applications of Remote Sensing Cameras; Proposition 11 - Converting Ag Tax Valuation to Wildlife Tax Valuation; How to Use Global Positioning System (GPS) Devices for Wildlife Management and Hunting Purposes; and New Market Possibilities for Forest Landowners.
Participants with their own GPS devices are encouraged to bring them to the workshop.
Additionally, the workshop will feature an outside walking tour segment before lunch to discuss and view demonstrations on the following topics: pond management, wetland management, forest management, wildlife food plots, and wildscapes. Attendees should know that the outdoor session will last approximately 1.5 hours. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens will also provide updates and answer questions related to law enforcement issues on private lands during the afternoon indoor session. The workshop will conclude with a question and answer panel session involving workshop presenters.
The workshop will begin with registration at 8:30 AM and will conclude at 3:00 PM. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the East Texas Woods & Water Foundation. This is a free event but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Call the Texas Parks and Wildlife office in Tyler at 903-566-1626 x 220 by August 26 to RSVP. Call early as the workshop may fill up prior to the August 26 cut off date.
For a full agenda of the workshop including topics and speakers, visit the Smith County Extension office web site at http://smith-tx.tamu.edu and click on the link under 'Events'.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Nature Center is located near the University of Texas at Tyler campus. From Loop 323 in Tyler, take Spur 248 (University Drive) east to FM 848. At FM 848, turn right (south) toward Lake Tyler. The Nature Center entrance will be about ½ mile down on the right. From Highway 64 East, turn left onto FM 848. Cross Spur 248 (the 4-way stop sign) and then travel about ½ mile and the entrance to the Nature Center will be on the right. Please park at the Nature Center parking area and walk the trail to the visitor center located by the pond.
