From the Sergeant's Desk

Troopers and Volunteers,

We have had a very busy spring travelling around the Great State of Texas sharing the story of the Buffalo Soldiers. We could not do our jobs without the help and support of our amazing volunteers.  We truly appreciate what you do to preserve the history and legacy of the buffalo soldiers and the many frontier men and women.  Your commitment to this mission as well as introducing Texans all over to the outdoors and an active lifestyle are what keeps our message alive. 

Spring is a time of rebirth and new beginnings and we have taken that to heart. The Buffalo Soldier Program for some time has been under construction to improve our reach throughout the state. This includes training others throughout the state to share the mission of the Buffalo Soldiers program of Texas Parks and Wildlife, and supply our partner organizations, state parks, and individual volunteers with materials for programming. With all the changes mentioned we have come to a point where our volunteer procedures and system have changed.  We are excited to announce the agency has unveiled a new volunteer management system (VMS) which requires all volunteers to complete an online profile and background check, sign up for volunteer opportunities (programs) and keep up with their working volunteer hours. Some of you may already be entered into the VMS in which case you will need to log in and verify your account is still active.  All future programs and training events will be placed online in the VMS as a volunteer opportunity and if you’re interested in participating in a program we’re hosting or invited to attend you must sign up for the opportunity before the close date of the opportunity online. 

In addition to the volunteer management system the Buffalo Soldiers program has also initiated a new volunteer recognition program.  You, the volunteers of the state, are the reason we’re where we’re at now as a program and we would like to recognize all of you efforts through our new Buffalo Soldiers Hall of Fame plaque which will be on display several times a year during programs and at the headquarters building.  Guidelines for making it into our volunteer hall of fame are as follows,

·         Complete an online profile in the VMS

·         Complete a training class with the buffalo soldiers outreach staff

·         Complete a minimum of 150 hours of volunteer work with or for the buffalo soldiers program of TPWD

·         Maintain hours within the VMS

To log into the VMS and create or update your volunteer profile please visit: http://tpwd.texas.gov/volunteer/. Once there you can choose any category you wish to apply for an opportunity with.  Buffalo Soldier opportunities will be found under state parks, then a search for buffalo soldiers.  The first opportunity we will have for volunteers to help us out will be our Frontier Days at Lake Brownwood on May 12th – 13th. We need as many volunteers as possible to help out with different stations at this event.  Please contact Luis Padilla at Luis.Padilla@tpwd.texas.gov to sign up for the Brownwood and Abilene events or if you have any questions or concerns about this new process or the hall of fame plaque.

Respectfully,

1st. Sgt. Luis Padilla

Buffalo Soldiers Heritage and Outreach Program – Texas Parks and Wildlife

Office – 512-389-8569

Cell – 512-844-3526 

Join us out on the trail! 

For more information please visit our website at: 

TPWD - Buffalo Soldiers