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We just didn't break a record. We shattered records
this summer in terms of lack of rainfall.
FROM PARCHED URBAN LAWNS
TO CLOSED BOAT RAMPS AFFECTING RECREATION
TO DRIED UP WATER TANKS AFFECTING WILDLIFE AND AGRICULTURE,
ALL OF TEXAS HAS BEEN HURT BY THIS DROUGHT.
If nothing is done to meet water demands going forward,
if no new projects are built, then there could be shortages
going forward.
The good news is that there is plenty of room
for doing more water conservation to help meet some of those demands.
For example, a large part of water use in urban settings
is for outdoor watering.
If we implement conservation measures for outdoor landscapes,
we could save a lot of water.
IN AN EFFORT TO HELP,
TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE HAS CONVERTED ITS MAIN
WATER RESOURCE WEBSITE INTO AN ONLINE
DROUGHT SURVIVAL KIT.
What we see is wildlife coming up to people’s houses,
to the ranch house.
You see a lot of critters that are losing their fear of humans.
You've got deer coming into yards. You've got turkeys on back porches.
Times are tough, there's no doubt.
I think it’s only human nature to try and help out.
THE SITE EXPLAINS
WHY FEEDING WILDLIFE SUCH AS DEER, RACCOONS AND OPOSSUMS
IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
BUT PLANTING NATIVE PLANTS AND ADDING A WATER FEATURE
CAN HELP BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES.
What we have here at the Texas Parks and Wildlife headquarters
is a great example of how you can keep
your outdoor landscape looking great by using native plants,
by watering carefully
and a side benefit of being good habitat for wildlife.
TURNING THE FAUCET ON LESS WILL HELP CUT WATER BILLS
WHICH IS ANOTHER BENEFIT TO TURNING A YARD INTO A WILDSCAPE.
This is probably the nudge that many of us need
to just bite the bullet and convert that landscape to native plants.
Have this in your yard instead of dead Saint Augustine.
FOR TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE, THIS IS LEE SMITH.