Archive for May, 2010

Land Steward Nominations

Monday, May 31st, 2010

This is Passport to Texas

Texas Parks and Wildlife recognizes and honors private landowners for habitat management and wildlife conservation with the Lone Star Land Steward Awards Program.

A land steward is just somebody who just manages and takes care of their land. These folks are very committed to conservation, and maintaining healthy lands under their management.

Linda Campbell is program director for private lands and public hunting.

Each year we open the nominations in June, and anybody can nominate a landowner for recognition in Lone Star Land Steward. So we receive nominations through November. Our biologists in each of the eco-regions visit each of the nominees, and then make a recommendation to those that should be awarded the Lone Star Land Steward award for that eco-region.

Biologists visit nominated landowners who have managed their property for a minimum of 5 years, to evaluate their practices.

They talk with the landowner or the manager. They try to evaluate what types of management actions that they are undertaking. They look at their motivations and really what makes them special in terms of taking care of the resources under their control.

Find Lone Star Land Steward nomination forms on the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

Our show receives support from the Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for the Private Lands and Public Hunting Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Boating Safety–Staying Safe on the Water

Friday, May 28th, 2010

This is passport to Texas

We’re on the threshold of summer, which means more Texans will be on the water…and they won’t be alone.

:07—I’m Sgt. Chopan with the police department with the Grand Prairie lake Patrol unit. I’m just wanting to check to make sure you have all your safety equipment on board. You have your life jacket?

Lake Police, like Sgt. Chris Chopan, and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens will be on the water, too.

:06—Lake patrol is sometimes is good because the public likes to see you, whereas when I’m driving in a car they usually don’t want to see me.

Everyone aboard a boat must wear a life jacket.

:09—Do you take the dog out often? Yeah, we’ve got three of them and they all have life vests. Sometimes, it’s amazing, you know, they’ll put lifejackets on their dogs, but they won’t put lifejackets on their kids.

Even people in the water need to think safety first.

:21—Not safe for you to be here, No good. No bueno. Too many boats. Twenty-four feet of water, no life jacket, inflatable swim ring, and we wonder why we have to come pick them up later. I’m almost tempted to pick him up and get him out of there – what do you think? This is not illegal probably, but it sure is dumb.

You can play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun as long as you remember that Nobody’s Waterproof… Visit the Texas parks and Wildlife website for more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Boating Safety–Don’t Drink & Boat

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

This is Passport to Texas

It’s illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; the consequences of doing so can be devastating. Just ask Kay Rock.

:15—At three o’clock in the morning, my husband and I were awakened by a policeman and a chaplain knocking at our front door. As soon as I saw them, I knew it was something bad. And the only question I had was, ‘which child is it?

The boat carrying Kay Rock’s 22 year old daughter was struck from behind. The driver of the other boat had been drinking at a lakeside bar…and in an instant, Debbie Rock’s name joined a growing list of boating fatalities.

:28—And I’m sorry, but this is kind of a hard part. Is that Debbie was not just a number on a court docket; and she was not just a number on the coroner’s report. She was a real, real person. And she had a lot to give. And that is one of the reasons that I want to stress the fact that bad things happen to really great people, and they don’t have to.

The choice is yours. You can play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun as long as you remember that Nobody’s Waterproof. Visit the Texas parks and Wildlife website to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

TPW Magazine–Going Coastal

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

This is Passport to Texas

Memorial Day weekend is the gateway to summer, and when we start thinking seriously about how to fully enjoy time away from school and work. Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine editor, Louie Bond, says the June issue may provide just the inspiration you need.

Well, in June, the sun’s shining down so beautifully, and we’re not really tired of the heat yet, and for me, the perfect place to go in June is the beach. You, know, the sea breezes, and the wonderful ocean to play with. So, in June we’re going to focus several articles on saltwater fishing.

And, one of my favorites is called “Pier Pressure”—p-i-e-r- pressure. And it’s about all those wonderful people who hand out on piers. They don’t want to go out on boats. They’ve got their spot, they’ve got their friends on the pier, they’ve got their ice chest full of goodies and their chairs. This is where they hang out. It’s a whole other culture; it’s a great bunch of characters, and the fishing there has its own unique style as well.

In addition, we’ll be introducing you to a very unusual Legend and Lore character named Billy Sandifer who’s a Vietnam vet, who has found quite a bit of relief living out there on the beach, and guiding tours, and has become one of the best saltwater guides in the state. So, pack your best beach togs and head down south and join us on the beach.

Thanks, Louie

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Calling All Wildlife

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

This is Passport to Texas

Next time you’re in the untamed outdoors, and want to attract native wildlife—kiss the palm of your hand.

:10—[kissing sound] I can do that to a bobcat that’s sitting out there behind a bush at a hundred yards, and it’ll start him towards me almost immediately. It just sounds delicious.

Gerald Stewart is a consultant for Johnny Stewart wildlife calls. Gerald’s father, Johnny, created a business featuring recorded animal sounds.

:23—Dad realized early on in the development of the business, that these sounds could be used by quite a wide variety of people. Photographers, nature lovers, bird watchers, hunters, researchers, or people that just want to simply show their grand kids [raccoon call] the eyes of a raccoon coming through the grass at night…just for the joy of being able to see something wild, literally a few feet away from them.

Screech owls are common in residential neighborhoods, and are a good animal to call when you’re with children.

:15—[screech owl] It’s easier to call screech owls with children around. Screech owls are a gregarious little bird, very social. And will put up with human presence. After a minute or two of being there, humans can just start talking and milling around and the little screech owl just sits in the tree.

Learn about native wildlife by logging onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife web site.

That’s our show for today….with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program… For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.