Texas has been hit with a record drought over the past 15 months. The first few weeks of December saw a little relief, but forecasts call for the drought to likely continue well into next year.
Apparently the Texas parks system has been hit hard in the budget as a result, and they are now asking for people to send donations to help keep our state parks open.
Please consider donating if you love Texas state parks. You can do so at the website of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:
Record drought and heat, devastating wildfires, and a drop in visitation have led to a critical situation for state parks.
We need to raise $4.6 million to keep state parks operating, and we can't do it without you.
There are three simple ways you can help:
1. Make a year-end, tax-deductible donation.
2. Make a donation when it's time for you to renew your vehicle registration.
3. Most importantly, because visitor fees pay for about half of all park operating costs, visit a state park this holiday season.
Please act now, to help keep Texas State Parks open for everyone to enjoy. Our state parks won't be the same without you.
Thank you,
Carter Smith
TPWD Executive Director
In case it helps out, here's a scene I captured at Guadalupe River State Park north of San Antonio a few weeks ago.
