The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced that in October they will be hosting the first Panhandle Wildlife Conference in nearly thirty years. The conference, which is being organized in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech University and the Texas Wildlife Association, is aimed at providing landowners and land managers in the Texas Panhandle with up-to-date information on a variety of topics related to wildlife management.

TPWD Panhandle District Leader, Brad Simpson, shared the department's goals for hosting the conference, stating, "This conference was designed with the Texas Panhandle landowners and land managers in mind. We want to showcase not only what is going on in the Panhandle but also provide land managers the opportunity to see and hear up-to-date information on a variety of topics."

The Panhandle Wildlife Conference will take place on October 20th and 21st and will cover a wide range of topics, including irrigation, ranching, deer movement and diseases, and many more. The conference will feature expert speakers who will share their knowledge in different sessions scheduled throughout the two days. In addition, there will be roundtable discussions with experts in their respective fields.

Announcement of Conference | https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20230926a

The conference will kick off with a keynote speech by Mike Carter, the Joint Venture Coordinator with Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV). Carter, who holds a master's degree in Zoology from Oklahoma State University, has extensive experience studying and working with birds in their natural landscapes. His keynote speech will focus on the "Shifting Baselines and Changes in the Texas Panhandle Landscape."

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department plays a vital role in protecting and overseeing the natural landscape and resources that Texas provides. Established in 1963, the department manages fifty wildlife management areas and over eighty state parks, historical sites, and natural areas. With its thirteen different sectors dedicated to specific areas of outdoor recreation and protection, the TPWD works to maintain the health and prosperity of Texas' landscape and wildlife.

The Panhandle Wildlife Conference offers a valuable opportunity for landowners and land managers in the Texas Panhandle to stay informed about the latest developments in wildlife management. It will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing challenges, and exploring solutions to ensure the continued conservation and sustainable use of wildlife resources in the region.