This text explores the natural history of Texas and more than 2900 springs in 183 Texas counties. It also includes an in-depth discussion of the general characteristics of springs - their physical and prehistoric settings, their historical significance, and their associated flora and fauna.

The Texas Almanac 2022–2023 includes these new feature articles: Texas Wildlife A greatly expanded article on the wildlife found throughout the state, with an updated and revised list of mammals and all new lists of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Written by Dr. Travis LaDuc, Curator of Herpetology at the University of Texas at Austin and Dr. Drew Davis, Associate Research Scientist at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. COVID–19 in Texas Dr. Ana Martinez-Catsam, professor of history at the University of Texas Permian Basin, brings us a look at of how COVID–19 hit the state and impacted just about every aspect of our lives. You’ll also learn what the pandemic did to our economy and how it compares to the last major pandemic, the Spanish Flu of 1918. African Americans in Texas The long, and often brutal, history of African Americans in our state began in 1582 when the first African slave, Esteban, arrived as one of the four survivors of the Cabeza de Vaca expedition. Read the rest of the history up to today, and learn how African Americans have contributed to the culture of Texas, in this feature written by Dr. Merline Pitre, professor at Texas Southern University. Chapters include: Environment: Learn about the geology of Texas, as well as in-depth information about plants, wildlife, rivers, and lakes. Weather: Highs and lows of the previous two years, plus a list of destructive weather dating from 1766. Astronomical Calendar: Find the moon phases, sunrise and sunset times, moonrise and moonset times, and any eclipses and meteor showers expected for 2022 and 2023. Recreation: The places to go visit in Texas, with details on state and national parks, landmarks, and wildlife refuges. Sports: The results of championship games for sports in Texas, from high school through professional, and a list of all Texas Olympic medalists and the past ten years of Texas Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Counties: An expansive section featuring detailed county maps, locator maps, and profiles of Texas’ 254 counties. Population: Figures and the latest estimates from the State Data Center, plus an analysis of what has changed in the past 5–10 years and a comprehensive list of the population of Texas cities and towns. Elections: Results and maps from the 2020 General Election and information on voter turnout. Government: Historical documents and lists of governmental officials dating from our time as under Spanish rule to today, as well as a recap of the 87th Legislative Session, information about state boards commissions, and lists of state, county, and local officials. Culture and the Arts: Find museums, competitions and award winners, and cultural and artistic highlights from the past few years, along with maps and data about the variety of religious groups in Texas. Business, Agriculture, and Transportation: Information about all aspects of our rich economy, and how we’ve faired as a state in the past few years, packed with tables about employment, prices, taxes, and more in a wide variety of industries. And much more . . .

Technology transfer has played an increasingly important role in historic preservation during the latter half of the twentieth century, a situation attested to by the undertaking of an important congressional study in 1986 that assessed the role of federal agencies in the field. In this book leading researchers update the earlier findings and contribute state-of-the-art reviews and evaluations of technological progress in their areas of expertise.

The popular image of Scotland is dominated by widely recognized elements of Celtic culture. But a significant non-Celtic influence on Scotland's history has been largely ignored for centuries? This book argues that much of Scotland's history and culture from 1100 forward is Jewish. The authors provide evidence that many of the national heroes, villains, rulers, nobles, traders, merchants, bishops, guild members, burgesses, and ministers of Scotland were of Jewish descent, their ancestors originating in France and Spain. Much of the traditional historical account of Scotland, it is proposed, rests on fundamental interpretive errors, perpetuated in order to affirm Scotland's identity as a Celtic, Christian society. A more accurate and profound understanding of Scottish history has thus been buried. The authors' wide-ranging research includes examination of census records, archaeological artifacts, castle carvings, cemetery inscriptions, religious seals, coinage, burgess and guild member rolls, noble genealogies, family crests, portraiture, and geographic place names.

In 2023, the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife marks the 100th anniversary of the state park system. From its inception in 1923, the Texas park system has grown to 95 sites, covering more than 627,000 acres and comprising 74 state parks, 13 historic sites, and 8 natural areas. This vast collection of natural lands and public places now accommodates almost 9 million visitors each year. The Art of Texas State Parks celebrates this rich tradition, offering an engaging visual arts survey of Texas state parks as seen through the eyes of leading artists from across the state. Editors Andrew Sansom and Linda J. Reaves have collected original works from thirty of the state's most influential artists. These stunning visual works are accompanied by a thoughtful essay by William E. Reaves on the time-honored legacy of landscape painting in Texas and by Sansom's reflections on the vital place of landscape art in Texas conservation. Rounding out the collection, assistant state park director Kevin Good offers an informative profile of Texas state parks, and the work concludes with profiles of the artists whose pieces appear in this special centennial collection. The centennial of the state parks system offers the perfect occasion to create a lasting visual record of Texas parks in art while memorializing the past and ongoing development of the distinctive collection of Lone Star parks and natural areas. The Art of Texas State Parks offers readers increased awareness of Texas parklands and heightens their popular appeal through the elegant and inspired works of some of Texas' finest contemporary artists. Includes the work of these artists: Randy Bacon, Abilene Mary Baxter, Marfa David Caton, Utopia Charles Criner, Houston Margie Crisp, Elgin Ric Dentinger, San Antonio Fidencio Duran, Austin Janet Eager Krueger, Encinal Joel R. Edwards, Waco Malou Flato, Austin Gordon Fowler, Austin Pat Gabriel, Fort Worth David R. Griffin, Dallas Brian Grimm, Fredericksburg Clemente F. Guzman III, San Antonio Karl E. Hall, Houston John Austin Hanna, Fredericksburg Billy Hassell, Fort Worth Hailey E. Herrera, Bryan Lee Jamison, Huntsville Denise LaRue Mahlke, Whitehouse Talmage Minter, Waco William B. Montgomery, Elgin Kermit Oliver, Waco Noe Perez, Corpus Christi Jeri Salter, Hutto Jim Stoker, San Antonio Bob Stuth-Wade, Dublin Terri M. Wells, Austin