Great Texas Wildlife Trails

In 1991, Roland Wauer, a prominent National Park Service official, compiled a survey of American Birding Association membership that helped reveal the shape and scale of birdwatching activities, equipment, expenses and more. Texas Parks and Wildlife similarly recognized birding’s big educational and tourism opportunities. By 1993, the agency began investing in signage, maps, trails, boardwalks and observation stations, guided by Madge Lindsay, Ted Eubanks and others. These preparations led to the 1994 opening of the 95-site Central Coast section of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. In the years since, this birding trail segment has evolved into the Great Texas Wildlife Trails network, covering diverse ecosystems and miles of hiking and driving routes across the state. As well, recent decades have seen the trail concept spread to over 40 other states.