Our Wild Texas – April 2023

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Living With Our Coyote Neighbors

Coyote family, video link

Coyotes moved into Texas when wolves disappeared. These adaptable canines can swim, eat almost anything and have strong family bonds. But can they really be outrun by a roadrunner? Find out in Ranger Lane's video All About Coyotes.

It's not unusual to see coyotes in a city. But like all wild animals, you want them to keep a healthy distance. So don't attract coyotes by leaving food outside or letting your pets roam free, and keep pets on a leash when you walk them.

If a coyote gets too close for comfort, don't run – look it in the eye, wave your arms and make loud noises until it's gone. If you see one, report it on iNaturalist. For more on sharing space with coyotes, watch our video Urban Coyotes

3 Ways You Can Save Water for Wildlife

Otter in water at Brazos Bend SP, video link

Water is the first link in the chain of life in Texas, and our wildlife gets it from the same places that supply our water. The more we draw from those sources, the less water is left for them. Try these 3 ways to help save water for wildlife

  1. Use a shut-off sprayer to wash your car or use a commercial carwash.
  2. Convert turf grass to groundcover, native plant beds – watering lawns is one of our most water-wasteful habits, converting even part of your lawn helps. 
  3. Collect and reuse rainwater for watering your plants, car washing, etc.

A surprising variety of rebate programs for water-saving tactics are offered by many utility providers/cities – check with yours.

Want to help get the word out about water resources and the wildlife they support? Join us as a volunteer Texas Waters Specialist, we provide free training.

Build a Rainwater-collection Barrel – It’s Easy!

Rain-collection barrel on porch, video link

Texas can conserve over 32 billion gallons of water annually by collecting rainwater from just 10% of our residential roof area. 

Save water for wildlife by collecting roof runoff with a rain barrel – use the water for plants or to wash your car. They're easy to make, watch the short video How to Build a Rain Barrel


Chill Out Video: Warbler Woods

Warbler at Warbler Bird Sanctuary, video link

Warblers and wrens and red dragonflies, oh my! Can you I.D. all the wildlife in this 2-minute video shot at Warbler Woods Bird Sanctuary? Hint: the butterflies are not monarchs. 

Monarch license plate ad, with link

Join the City Nature Challenge 4/28-5/1

City Nature Challenge, video link

Over 400 cities across the world will participate in this year's City Nature Challenge, the free and fun wildlife-observation contest. 

Join us! YOUR unique observations will help biologists better understand the wildlife of Texas – plus, your community needs your participation to win. It's easy:

  1. Find wildlife (animal, plant or fungus) 
  2. Take a picture or record a sound anytime from 4/28 to 5/1
  3. Share using iNaturalist online or the iNaturalist app

If you don't see your city listed, join the global community. It's a great excuse for spending your day (or night) with wildlife! Check the FAQ page for more info.

A message from our non-profit partner Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation: 

Enhancing the Wild in Texas State Parks

Donate to support state parks, with link

2023 marks 100 years of Texas State Parks, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is raising $2 million to fund much-needed projects at all state parks across Texas.

Many projects will enhance wildlife viewing opportunities. From a pontoon boat for marsh tours at Sea Rim State Park, to a Braille Trail to enrich the auditory experience for vision-impaired visitors at Caddo Lake, to spotting scopes and binoculars at parks across Texas, these projects will delight visitors for years to come.

A group of Centennial Champions are also going wild about this effort by matching all gifts dollar-for-dollar!

Give back to the park closest to your heart. Donate today!

Did You Know?

Hummingbird poster with link

Cornell Lab of Ornithology is offering a free download of their Hummingbirds of North America poster.  

Swarovski Optiks, with link

Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers: 

Nature Lovers - Visit El Paso, with link

Summer at Moody gardens, link

Our Wild Texas is made possible in part by the generous support of Toyota:

Toyota

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