For a long time, I have been lamenting with Governor Goodhair the fact that Texas has no long-term land use plan. Mr. Blowdry assured me that everything is fine. However, I see hundreds and hundreds of acres of Harris and Montgomery County forest being clearcut to the dirt for "Friends of Rick Perry" (Bob Perry and his pandering ilk of developers). Here is an opportunity to present a viewpoint of the insanity of this type of "dumb growth."
I got an email from Defenders of Wildlife with the following information:
State officials have been working for years on a strategy to protect threatened species like the lesser prairie chicken and to preserve habitats such as parts of Texas's gulf coast prairies and marshes. Now you have a chance to share your thoughts on the state's long-term plan to protect Texas's animals and wildlife habitat!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
In July, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will hold a series of public input meetings on their strategy at zoos across the state. Come learn about the department's plan to conserve Texas's rich and diverse wildlife and wildlife habitat and offer your comments at these meetings:
MEETING DETAILS:
• Austin: 7-9 p.m., July 11, Texas Parks and Wildlife Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Road, (512) 389-4800
• Houston: 7-9 p.m., July 13, Houston Zoo, 1513 N. MacGregor, (713) 533-6500
• Dallas: 1-4 p.m., July 14, Dallas Zoo, 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway (I35-E), (214) 670-5656
• Waco: 7-9 p.m., July 14, Cameron Park Zoo, 1701 North 4th Street, (254) 750-8400
• Lufkin: 7-9 p.m., July 18, Ellen Trout Zoo, 402 Zoo Circle, Lufkin, Texas 75904, (936) 633-0399
• Abilene: 7-9 p.m., July 19, Abilene Zoological Gardens, 2070 Zoo Lane, Nelson Park, (325) 676-6085
• Lubbock: 7-9 p.m., July 20, Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289 (806) 745-1216
• El Paso: 7-9 p.m., July 21, Magoffin Home State Historic Site
• San Antonio: 7-9 p.m., July 25, San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium, 3903 North St. Mary's Street, (210) 734-7184
• Brownsville: 7-9 p.m., July 26, Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold Street, (956) 546-7187
• Corpus Christi: 7-9 p.m., July 27, Texas State Aquarium, 2710 North Shoreline, (800) 477-4853
To provide the state with the best input, we suggest you review the strategy before the meetings. More information and draft materials for the Texas comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy can be found at:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/grants/cwcs/ Note: Since many meetings are after hours, only the Dallas Zoo will have normal exhibits open for the public.