Environment & Natural Resources Archives | Texapedia

Bison hunted from railroad line for sport.

Texas History The Courthouse Era (1875-1900)

The Great Bison Slaughter of the 1870s

Hunters swept across the Texas Plains in the 1870s, killing bison at a shocking pace that nearly wiped them out.

Texapedia StaffJuly 16, 2025

River Authority Dam Texas Lady Bird Lake

State Agencies

River Authorities of Texas

Learn about the state agencies that manage dams, reservoirs, and parks in Texas's major river basins.

Texapedia StaffNovember 21, 2022

State Agencies Texas Heritage

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

General overview of the structure, functions, and budget of Texas' leading wildlife conservation agency

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

State Agencies

Railroad Commission of Texas

Learn about the history, structure, and programs of this misnamed state agency, which regulates oil and gas—not railroads.

Texapedia StaffNovember 20, 2022

pexels photo 15976832

Executive Branch State Agencies

Texas General Land Office

The Texas General Land Office manages millions of acres of public land. This article provides a summary of the GLO's structure, governance, and functions.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

State Agencies

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Understand the role of Texas' leading environmental regulatory agency, its programs, structure, and history.

Texapedia StaffNovember 18, 2022

20th Century History

The Texas City Disaster of 1947

In April 1947, Texas City’s petrochemical hub was shattered by an ammonium nitrate explosion so powerful it shattered windows miles away and was felt across the Texas Gulf Coast. Its aftermath transformed disaster planning and chemical transport rules.

Texapedia StaffOctober 3, 2025

Local Government

Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) are boards of local farmers and ranchers in Texas that work to improve soil and water quality.

Texapedia StaffNovember 16, 2022

Texas Dam Oil Painting C

State Agencies

Texas Water Development Board

TWC is essentially a state-run "infrastructure bank" that finances water and wastewater projects across Texas, expanding critical infrastructure for the growing population.

Texapedia StaffNovember 19, 2022

us drought monitor texas oct11 22 1.jpg

State Agencies

State Climatologist of Texas

Based at Texas A&M, the state climatologist provides drought data, climate projections, and historical weather analysis to support disaster response, water planning, and infrastructure policy.

Texapedia StaffMay 19, 2025

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The basic nature of humanity is unchanging through the ages. Politics changes, technology, the economy, the environment, culture—all change. Yet humankind tends to repeat the same follies and to forget hard-learned lessons, age after age. For this reason, the ancient book of wisdom known as Ecclesiastes observed, "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, 'See, this is new'? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Eccl. 1:9-11, ESV).

The study of history reminds us of the pitfalls, challenges, and triumphs of our forebears. It is not always a happy story (“All things are full of weariness," Eccles. 1:8), but it is a worthy pursuit for those seeking wisdom. History gives us not only knowledge of the past but also understanding of the present age: how it came to be, the forces that have shaped it, and insights into the nature of humanity itself.

As you explore Texas history, we invite you to imagine yourself living in another age. Try to picture yourself in the shoes of different people—leaders and common folks alike. This is how history becomes more than a ledger of events; its telling and retelling invite us to reflect, imagine, and grow.

There is no single “correct” way to read or write history. Yet beware of idealized versions of the past—simplistic, black-and-white narratives with distinct ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys,’ often crafted for political ends. Such histories are easy to grasp and may feel morally compelling. But wisdom doesn’t necessarily come from reading history in a simple, idealized way. Instead, try grappling with nuance, search out details, ask probing questions, and consider perspectives that may not align with your own.

History need not be boring. At its best, it is a discipline that sharpens the mind, cultivates empathy, and helps us to know ourselves more deeply.

— Texapedia Staff

Texapedia is not affiliated with any political party, and the articles on this site are written in an encyclopedic tone. Yet a project like this is inherently political in a broader sense: it deals with government and civic life, and our stated mission is to equip citizens with knowledge to “reform what is lacking in their government while conserving what is good about it.”

This sounds simple enough, since we live in an age of abundant knowledge: search engines, AI chatbots, and digital repositories can provide us with reams of information on almost any topic in an instant. Yet many Americans are too distracted to take in any of it. Ours is also an age of addictive social media, viral outrage, and “bingeworthy” entertainment.

There is also a crisis of authority. Americans no longer know who to trust, what information is reliable, and how to separate noise from substance in public discourse. The information environment is chaotic and disputatious. Information is rarely presented in coherent, organized ways that provide context and detail. Instead, many Americans learn about the world around them through TikTok, Instagram reels, 100-word tweets, or cable news sound bites. The nation is more politicized than ever—yet less connected, less communal, less trusting.

Here at Texapedia, we look on these developments with concern. You can read more of our perspective in the essay Toward Civic Renewal: Recovering Sobriety in a Frivolous Age.

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