Where the Wild Things Are (Vol. 1, Ed. 3): ? Third time's a charm
Brandi D. Addison
Journalist in West Texas l Adjunct Faculty at Texas Tech l Writer
Howdy!?Guess who's back for round three? That's right, I'm defying all odds and sending another dose of wildlife wonders your way. If consistency were a wild animal, I think I might be taming it, one newsletter at a time. Or maybe it's taming me —?hard to say at this point.
Cheers to wild encounters and unpredictable newsletters!
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???? In the Wild
Personal works, covering all things wild flora and fauna
???????1. USFWS plans to expand 3 Texas wildlife refuges, but critics take issue with Muleshoe site?
As President Joe Biden's administration seeks to increase protections for natural lands and waters across the United States, some critics are wary of a new plan to expand one wildlife refuge in Texas.
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced earlier this year its plans to expand four national wildlife refuges, including three in Texas, to conserve habitat and protect native species.
But the finalized plan for the expansion of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Panhandle approximately 30 miles east of the New Mexico border, has received some pushback.
The Scope: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a plan in April to expand the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge by up to 700,000 acres, significantly increasing its current size of 6,440 acres. The expansion aims to safeguard critical habitats for species like sandhill cranes, pronghorn, and the lesser prairie-chicken.?The initiative seeks to preserve playa wetlands, saline lakes, and vast grasslands, ecosystems that have seen significant decline due to agriculture and energy development.
The Debate:?State Rep. Jodey Arrington and stakeholders have voiced concerns that the expansion could negatively impact local agricultural interests. Critics, including American Stewards of Liberty, argue against what they perceive as federal overreach, despite assurances from refuge management that participation is voluntary. Read more.
???????2. Is it ever OK to pick fruit off a neighbor's tree? Here's what law says.
The temptation to pick a freshly ripened apple from an overhanging tree on someone's property is strong.
But behind the allure of that sweet, delicious taste in that first bite lies a legal question: Who owns the fruit hanging over public space or over your own private property? Across many communities in Texas, ordinances grapple with balancing property rights and public access, prompting questions about where admiration ends and appropriation begins.
Many are unaware that the simple act of plucking a petal or a grape could land them in legal hot water, as Texas cities navigate the growing issue of vegetation encroaching on public spaces and the complex laws that accompany it.
Legal Landscape
What they said:?"If the trunk of a fruit tree is on your neighbors' property, the tree and the fruit it bears belong to them — even if fruit-laden branches overhang your property," the late attorney Jedediah Mannis wrote.?"This is anomalous: On the one hand, you can't legally pick up and eat the fruit. On the other hand, your neighbors can't legally enter your land to retrieve it." Read more.
?? 3.?TPWD has released nearly 1 billion saltwater fish into Texas bays.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has released nearly 1 billion saltwater fish into Texas bays over the past four decades to revitalize historic fisheries and recover native fish populations.The fingerlings, produced and raised in local and state hatcheries, accelerate the recovery of overfished stocks.
The billionth fish: TPWD will release red drum fingerlings, a highly sought-after game fish in Texas with record-high populations due to successful fishery management.
Decline of saltwater fish:?Initial declines were due to overharvesting in the 1970s. Now, recent declines are attributed to rising coastal water temperatures. The Gulf Coast has seen significant increases, with Galveston Bay experiencing an 8.9-degree rise.
New Fishing Regulations for 2023-24:
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department continues its efforts to sustain native saltwater fish populations through effective fishery management and updated regulations. Read more. ?
?? 4. North Texas city warns of alligators after backyard sighting. Are they native to the region?
An American alligator is lurking in the waters of a North Texas town.
City officials in Coppell have warned residents to be wary of local waters after a resident spotted an alligator in the creek behind his backyard.
Coppell Animal Services confirmed Wednesday that an alligator has found a home in the small city that sits about 22 miles northwest of Dallas.
North Texas sightings: Texas is home to between 500,000 and 600,000 alligators, primarily in southeast Texas along the coast and the Louisiana border. Sightings in North Texas have become more frequent and are common in the region's?freshwater lakes and rivers, including Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake and the Trinity River. Read more.
?? Beyond the Wild
Taking a step beyond the wild, this section features personal coverage over a wider range of?environmental and political issues.
Plus:?Lots and lotsof Hurricane Beryl coverage. Read it here.
?? Wild Finds
Stepping outside personal coverage and sharing excellent work from others.
Send story ideas and feedback my way! I'm always happy to hear :)