None.
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
Researchers are required to use gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.
The Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's wildlife and fish resources; provision of outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; acquisition, development, and operation of wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, state parks, historic sites, and other public lands; conservation education and outreach; cultural and historical interpretation; and the regulation of fishing, hunting, and boating activities. The Department is composed of ten major divisions which carry out the functions and duties of the agency: Wildlife, State Parks, Coastal Fisheries, Inland Fisheries, Communications, Law Enforcement, Infrastructure, Administrative Resources, Legal, Information Technology, and Human Resources. An Executive Director, selected by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, administers the department. In 2005, the agency employed the full-time equivalent of 3,038 people.
The Parks and Wildlife Department is governed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission, initially composed of three members, increased to six members in 1972, and as of 1983, composed of nine members, appointed by the Governor with approval of the Senate. Members serve six-year overlapping terms. The Commission chairperson is appointed biennially by the Governor. The Commission meets quarterly or more often as needed. Its chief responsibility is to adopt policies and rules to carry out the programs of the Parks and Wildlife Department.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) had its beginnings in
1879. In 1879, the 16th Texas Legislature authorized the Governor to appoint a
fish commissioner to ensure compliance with an Act for the preservation of
fish, and to build fish ways and fish ladders (Chapter 92, 16th Legislature,
Regular Session). In 1881, the Office of the Fish Commissioner was established
(Chapter 78, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). It was created for the
In 1895, the Office of the Fish and Oyster Commissioner was created by House Bill 55, 24th Legislature, Regular Session, with the commissioner appointed by the Governor as before. The duties included the protection of fish, turtles and terrapin of the bays and coastal waters of the state, protection of natural oyster beds and reefs, and the protection of the location of private beds. The Commissioner had the authority to appoint Deputy Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office. In 1907, protection of wild birds and wild game was added to the responsibilities of that office, which became the Office of the Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner (House Bill 379, 30th Legislature, Regular Session). This Commissioner appointed Deputy Game Commissioners to assist in carrying out the duties of the office
The single commissioner was replaced by a six-member commission in 1929 and the agency became the Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (Senate Bill 83, 41st Legislature, Regular Session). The commissioners were appointed to six year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate, and were to be selected from different sections of the state. The chair was appointed by the Governor. Duties of the commission included administering the state's laws relating to game and fish; preventing pollution of streams; issuing hunting, trapping, and fishing licenses; collecting fees, taxes, and fines; conducting research; and proclaiming and enforcing open seasons and bag limits on game and fish. The commission also operated fish hatcheries and sanctuaries, administered game and hunting preserves, supervised oyster beds in the state, controlled and exterminated predatory animals and fish, and educated the public in the preservation of wildlife and fish and game resources of the state. It had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out their duties. The name was changed to the Texas Game and Fish Commission in 1951 and the size of the board was increased to nine members (Senate Bill 463, 52 Legislature, Regular Session).
The State Parks Board was created in 1923 (Senate Bill 73, 38th Legislature, First Called Session) to investigate prospective park sites in the state and report to the Legislature with recommendations, and to solicit and accept donations of land for state park purposes. The State Parks Board was initially composed of five members, appointed by the Governor with the approval of the Senate to six year terms, and they were to be state officers. The number of board members increased to six in 1937 (Senate Bill 484, 45th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was to begin locating sites for the establishment of the state parks system. It also directed and managed state parks created, except the historical parks which were managed by the Board of Control and/or several separate commissions. The Parks Board was also charged with locating, designating, and marking historic grounds, battlegrounds, and other historic sites in the state, and erecting markers and monuments at such sites. The board also had the authority to create rules and regulations as necessary to carry out its duties. The primary function of the board between 1923 and 1933 was to acquire lands for parks through donations. In 1933, federal funds became available for state park development and the board worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Park Service for the development of better park sites for a state parks system. The CCC provided labor during the 1930s to improve state park lands and facilities. In 1949, the state historical parks were transferred to the State Parks Board, except for the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Battleship Texas, and the Fannin Battlefield, which were still controlled by their respective commissions--the San Jacinto Battlefield Commission, the Battleship Texas Commission, and the Fannin Battlefield Commission (House Bill 120, 51st Legislature, Regular Session). Jurisdiction over the Fannin and San Jacinto Battlefields was transferred to TPWD in 1965 (House Bill 102, 59th Legislature, Regular Session). Battleship Texas was transferred to TPWD in 1983 (House Bill 586, 68th Legislature, Regular Session).
In 1963, the State Parks Board and the Game and Fish Commission were merged to form the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife (House Bill 21, 58th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1967, the Historic Structures and Sites Act was passed by the 60th Legislature, House Bill 58, Regular Session, charging the Parks and Wildlife Department with stewardship of the state's cultural heritage sites. In 1983, the Legislature passed the 1983 Wildlife Conservation Act (Senate Bill 94, 68th Legislature, Regular Session), which gave the agency the authority to manage fish and wildlife resources in all Texas counties. Prior to this act county commissioner courts set game and fish laws in many counties, and other counties had veto power over Department regulations. In 1985, the legislature granted the agency authority over shrimp and oysters (Senate Bill 609, 69th Legislature, Regular Session).
(Sources: Enabling legislation, numerous years;
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's natural and cultural resources, provision of outdoor recreational opportunities, conservation education and outreach, and interpretation of cultural and historical resources. Types of records present include administrative correspondence, memoranda, proclamations, photographs, newsletters and other publications, reports, papers, clippings, Attorney General opinions, news releases, and organization charts. Records are dated 1909, 1929, 1934-2004, bulk 1963-1999. The administrative correspondence and history project files document the early years of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (1963-1975), with a few files documenting actions of the Game and Fish Commission and the Texas State Parks Board. The news releases document all activities of the Parks and Wildlife Department. Topics of the records include the appropriations, pending legislation, rules and regulations, appointment and resignation of commissioners, management of and activities at state parks and wildlife areas, hunting and fishing activities, grant applications, dredging, environmental studies, resource conservation and development, water resource projects, game warden school, land acquisition, fish hatcheries, water quality management, and pollution reports and complaints. Correspondents include TPWD commissioners and staff with various state and federal agencies.
This series was removed from the overall TPWD finding aid due to the
electronic file size limitations imposed by the online finding aid web site
(TARO). If you are reading this electronically, click on the following link to
access the overall finding aid,
To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.
These records have been organized into four series by State Archives staff.
(Identify the item and cite the series), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administrative records and other materials. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
News releases and organization charts were appraised by the State Archives staff as archival on October 18, 1999. The series administrative files largely consists of administrative correspondence, a series reviewed and appraised as archival on October 18, 1999. The departmental history project research files have not been appraised. For more information about the appraisal of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's records, see the appraisal report done by State Archives staff on file in the search room of the Archives and Information Services Division. It is not available online.
Lisa Hendricks, June 1996
Laura K. Saegert, January 2006, July 2006
Accession numbers: 1996/102, 2000/100, 2000/150, 2002/212, 2003/086, 2003/157, 2004/185, 2006/094
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on May 3, 1996; January 28 and May 10, 2000; August 27 and December 10, 2002; May 14, 2003; and July 2, 2004; and by the Legislative Reference Library on March 27, 2002 (reaccessioned for control purposes on January 5, 2006).
News releases are posted on the agency's website
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's natural and cultural resources, provision of outdoor recreational opportunities, conservation education and outreach, and interpretation of cultural and historical resources. Types of records present include correspondence, memoranda, reports, news releases, clippings, Attorney General opinions, publications, proclamations, maps, photographs, contracts, and copies of pending legislation. Records are dated 1909, 1935, 1944-1975, bulk 1963-1975. Topics of the records include appropriations, pending legislation, rules and regulations, appointment and resignation of commissioners, grant applications, dredging, environmental studies, resource conservation and development, water resource projects, game warden school, land acquisition, fish hatcheries, hunting licenses, water quality management, and pollution reports and complaints. Administrative correspondence is present for a few commissioners and chairmen and consists of letters and memoranda generally between the commissioner and the TPWD executive director or other staff. Other correspondence files are topical and include correspondence of TPWD staff with other state agencies, such as the governor's office, the Water Development Board, legislators, and regional water authorities; and with federal agencies, including the Deparment of the Interior, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, the Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Agriculture. The bulk of the topical files document wildlife activities as opposed to actions concerning state parks. Proclamations issued by the executive director discuss wildlife conservation or hunting and fishing activities. Black and white photographs are primarily of game wardens or wildlife activities, with a few of State Parks Board staff. Publications consist of reports and magazines published by either the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Game and Fish Commission, the Texas Agriculture Extension Service, or Texas A & M University. Also present is the text of a speech, with attachments, given by the TPWD executive director Pearce Johnson to the Texas Conservation Foundation in 1970 about the proposed purchase of Mustang Island by the state of Texas for a state park.
Some material is foldered by topic, but does not otherwise appear to be in any apparent order. Records remain in order as received from the agency. Loose materials were foldered by State Archives staff.
(Identify the item), Administrative files, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administrative records and other materials. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Accession numbers: 1996/102, 2002/115
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on May 3, 1996; and from the Legislative Reference Library on March 27, 2002.
None.
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
The maps are too large to photocopy.
Researchers are required to use gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.
Lisa Hendricks, June 1996
Laura K. Saegert, January 2006
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's natural and cultural resources, provision of outdoor recreational opportunities, conservation education and outreach, and interpretation of cultural and historical resources. Types of records include correspondence, memoranda, newsletters, news releases, annual reports, articles, clippings, papers, notes, timelines of notable dates in TPWD history, directory of TPWD employees with original photographs attached, and multiple editions of drafts of a departmental history written by committee. Records are dated 1929, 1934-1980, bulk dating 1966-1973. Records are research files used by a history committee appointed in 1973 to write a general history of the Parks and Wildlife Department and its predecessor agencies, the Texas State Parks Board and the Texas Game and Fish Commission (Texas Game, Fish and Oyster Commission). Committee members were staff members of the department and included Joan Pearsall, D'Arcy James, and H. Levesque. The committee's history was to include mandates, goals, activities and organizational changes of the department. It was also to include lists of the names of commissioners and executive directors in office for each year.
Records are in the order received from the agency with a small amount of reorganization undertaken by State Archives staff to correct obvious misfiles. Loose materials were foldered by State Archives staff.
(Identify the item), Departmental history project research files, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administrative records and other materials. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Accession number: 1996/102
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on May 3, 1996.
None.
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
Researchers are required to use gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.
Lisa Hendricks, June 1996
Laura K. Saegert, January 2006
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's natural and cultural resources, provision of outdoor recreational opportunities, conservation education and outreach, and interpretation of cultural and historical resources. Records present are news or press releases, a few newsletters, brochures, pamphlets and information sheets. These records provide information about activities of the agency that the agency considers to be of public interest, including hunting, fishing and boating activities and regulations; management of and activities at state parks and historic sites, including development of new parks/sites and renovations of existing parks/sites; wildlife conservation and management; notice of upcoming commission meetings and hearings; game warden training schools; appointment of new commissioners or hiring of high level executive staff; and other topics. Dates covered are about 1960-1999, bulk dating 1975-1998. The bulk of the releases are those released in a press packet. It was issued weekly until mid 1977, when it became a bi-weekly publication. Special editions were issued if warranted. A few press releases are present for the Texas State Parks Board.
These records are arranged in two groups, Publications and news releases, and News releases. Publications are filed first in the first group, followed by news releases. Some news releases are mixed in with the publications. Each set of materials is filed in roughly chronological order by year, with some minor rearrangement done by State Archives staff. The materials in the second group, news releases, are filed in chronological order by date of issuance, as received from the agency.
(Identify the item), News releases and publications, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administrative records and other materials. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
News releases were appraised by State Archives staff as archival on October 18, 1999. The publications have not been appraised.
Accession numbers: 2000/150, 2006/094
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. on May 10, 2000; and from the Legislative Reference Library on March 27, 2002 (reaccessioned for control purposes on January 5, 2006).
None.
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
None.
Laura K. Saegert, January 2006
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for the management and conservation of the state's natural and cultural resources, provision of outdoor recreational opportunities, conservation education and outreach, and interpretation of cultural and historical resources. Records are organization charts of the agency and its divisions, dating 1991-2004. These charts illustrate graphically the administrative structure of the different functional units within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
These records are arranged by State Archives staff in chronological order by year.
(Identify the item), Organization charts, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department administrative records and other materials. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Organization charts were appraised by the State Archives staff as archival on October 18, 1999.
Accession numbers: 2000/100, 2000/150, 2002/212, 2003/086, 2003/157, 2004/185
These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. on January 28 and May 10, 2000; August 27 and December 10, 2002; May 14, 2003; and July 2, 2004.
None.
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).
None.
Laura K. Saegert, January 2006