Texas Outdoors: A Vision for the
Future
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has done a commendable job of providing all citizens with opportunities to enjoy natural, historic and cultural resources. Compared to other states, however, Texas lags considerably in its investments in park and recreation opportunities. Maintaining standards in some areas and improving them in others in the coming decades will be difficult. TPWD therefore commissioned Texas A&M University in January 1998 to conduct a study of how to ensure adequate future provision of natural, historic and cultural resources for Texas. The study recognized that Texan needs are met by an extensive system of resources and infrastructure, both public (federal, state, regional and local) and private. Therefore, various agencies, private landowners, nonprofit groups, and others helped set the study's scope and gave input throughout the process.
As an initial step, the project team participated in a parks and recreation summit with 150 delegates from various parts of the system. Vision statements developed at the summit, as well as TPWD's mission statement, served as starting points for the study. The study team conducted a major public opinion survey to supplement extensive gathering of information and opinions from conservation and outdoor recreation groups (both users and providers), local park and recreation departments, TPWD leadership, TPWD counterparts in other states, academic journals, state documents, agency reports, and many other sources. The study team used a facilitated group process to derive issues, actions, and funding strategies.
The project team produced 12 technical reports and a 4-color final report listing the four underlying themes, five issues, and approximately 100 recommendations that emerged from the study. A "source document" was also produced. It provides fuller details about the themes, issues and recommendations than could easily be included in the final report.
Further information can be obtained by contacting:
- Peter A. Witt
- Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
- Texas A&M University
- College Station, TX 77843-2261
- Phone: (979) 845-7325
- E-mail: pwitt@rpts.tamu.edu