The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) describes its approach to protecting the state’s ecosystems as science-based and forward-looking. How does being science-based work in a political culture that disputes science? And how does one pursue a forward-looking approach when the future looks so different from the past?
To find out, I spoke to Ted Hollingsworth, who directs TPWD’s Land Conservation Program. He explains how the Department uses the best science to conserve habitat, while acknowledging that with more and more species pushed towards extinction, they have to make hard choices.
Resources on the episode on Texas Parks and Wildlife ‘s Way of Protecting Species:
- Info about the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD):
- TPWD on the Web.
- TPWD’s Facebook page.
- Ted Hollingsworth is the Director of the Land Conservation Program, which you will find inside the TPWD’s Infrastructure Division.
- The Land and Water Plan, which serves as TPWD’s mission statement:
- The Plan lists the following goals for TPWD:
- “to conserve, manage and restore terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and to protect the rich natural and cultural legacy of Texas.”
- The Plan embraces a science-based approach:
- “Relevant science informs the TPW Commission.” TPWD wants to use “the best available science.”
- The Plan’s approach is also forward-looking:
- “Science and experience … help TPWD anticipate changes and address emerging issues that impact plants, fish and wildlife resources. Relevant science informs the TPW Commission.”
- The Plan lists the following goals for TPWD:
- Acronyms used by Ted Hollingsworth:
- TXDOT: Texas Department of Transportation.
- TCEQ: Texas Commission on EnvironmentalQuality.
- EPA: U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency.
- HOA: homeowners’ association.
- GLO: Texas General Land Office.
- The Aoudad Sheep:
- Ted Hollingsworth mentions the invasive Aoudad Sheep. Here is an article by The Atlantic on the problem, “Texas Can’t Quit the Aoudad.”
How Texas Parks and Wildlife Protect Species – Episode Transcript
To view the episode transcript, click here to open the pdf file.