San Antonio, Texas—The Texas Brigades is gearing up for the newest addition to their family, the Waterfowl Brigade. The camp will start this summer near Palestine, Texas. It will focus on teaching youth about managing land to benefit various waterfowl species and the importance of wetlands management. The Texas Brigades host five different camps each summer.The deadline for applying is March 15, 2012. Participants must be between 13 and 17 years of age, and submit a complete application for consideration. Camp dates and locations are as follows: South Texas Buckskin located on the Southern Star Ranch in Uvalde, June 3-7; Rollins Plains Bobwhite located at Centennial Lodge in Coleman, June 16-20; South Texas Bobwhite located on the 74 Ranch in Campbellton, June 24-28; Bass Brigade located on the Warren Ranch in Santa Anna, July 15-19; North Texas Buckskin located on the Stasney’s Cook Ranch in Albany, July 15-19; and finally Waterfowl Brigade located at the Big Woods on the Trinity in Tennessee Colony, July 22-26. The Texas Brigades’ mission is to educate and empower youths with leadership skills and knowledge in wildlife, fisheries, and land stewardship to become conservation ambassadors for a sustained natural resource legacy. “I feel that the launch of the Waterfowl Brigade is a great and needed step in expanding the reach of the Texas Brigades,” said former Brigades cadet Josh Pearson. “It will open new doors for them to new ideas.” The Texas Brigades was established in 1993 by Dr. Dale Rollins, Extension Wildlife Specialist with Texas AgriLife Extension, who came up with the idea for the Brigades as a way to expand Extension’s educational efforts by developing wildlife ambassadors. “I think waterfowl is a good way to reach more kids, and I think the Texas Brigades has a lot of resources that can help make it a success,” said Sarah Coffey, former cadet, “Also, since they [ducks] require a different habitat, it is a good way to learn about another ecosystem.” Not only is the Texas Brigades looking for cadets this up and coming summer, but they are also looking for adult volunteers who are interested in participating and would like to gain the Texas Brigades experience. For more information, call 855-TXBRIGS (210-556-1391) or log on to www.texasbrigades.org,
