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Texas Conservation Projects

	DNA RESEARCH OFFERS CLUES TO MASKED BOBWHITE QUAIL POPULATION Thanks to Wildlife Forever and some high-tech DNA testing, wildlife managers in the Southwest have a better understanding of the endangered masked bobwhite quail. Researchers set out to determine the bird’s DNA sequence in an attempt to better manage and protect its genetic pool. “South Texas bobwhite and masked bobwhite quail form a distinct and relatively closely related assemblage,” said John Patton, senior geneticist at LGL Ecological Genetics in Bryan, Texas. As a result, South Texas bobwhite quail will be used as a model population for endangered masked bobwhite. Knowledge of the masked bobwhite’s genetic pool will help biologists better manage the species.
	INCREASING FISH PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN TEXAS Support from Wildlife Forever allowed the Choke Canyon Conservation Association of Three Rivers, Texas to purchase pumps and pipes to supply water to six nursery ponds. These nursery ponds are each two acres in size and have the potential to produce a total of 100,000 fingerling crappie, 150,000 fingerling bass, and 150,000 fingerling catfish. These fingerlings are used to help stock the Choke Canyon Reservoir, a 26,000-acre impoundment located 75 miles south of San Antonio.
	"CRITTERS OF TEXAS" EDUCATES YOUNG TEXANS Wildlife Forever partnered with the Texas Wildlife Association to create an produce an original "Critters of Texas Pocket Guide" to teach young Texans about the native wildlife of their home state. The pocket guide profiles 50 native species. Each profile includes a color photograph of the critter and information on its home range, feeding and reproductive behavior and a "Did You Know?" section that provides interesting facts unique to that species. The species profiles also help students identify the animals' tracks in the field. The Texas Wildlife Association will distribute 10,000 copies of "Critters of Texas" to students through its youth conservation education programs. The project was funded by the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. Thanks to this unique partnership, a new generation of Texans are learning to become stewards of their state's abundant wildlife.
	IMPROVED FISHING AT LAKE O' THE PINES The support of Wildlife Forever members like you was used to improve the fishing on Lake O’ The Pines near Jefferson, Texas. This grass roots project used discarded Christmas trees to enhance fish habitat on this man-made lake. The Lake O’ The Pines Civic Association provided all of the volunteer labor to complete the project. Lag screws were added to the base of each tree. The trees were then secured in small buckets of cement which provided the necessary weight to move the trees to the bottom of the reservoir and have them stand upright. State biologists were brought in to consult on the best locations for sinking the discarded trees. The trees provide a suitable but temporary habitat for fish. As a result, the Association has made this project an annual effort on the 18,700 acre body of water.