Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

[Harp glissando]

Darcy Bontempo has a dream.

I’d like to see every single car have a plate that either has a deer, a bass, a bluebonnet, or a horned lizard on it. I think that would be just wonderful.

Bontempo is Marketing Director for Texas parks and Wildlife and a huge fan of the agency’s conservation license plates— introduced in 1999. You have probably seen the plates, but what you may not realize is the money from their sales funds conservation efforts statewide.

We’ve raised more than three million dollars in less than ten years, and I think that we’re going to continue to see that increase as people become more and more interested in helping.

Each image corresponds with the program or project they fund: bluebonnets/state parks, deer/big-game hunting, bass/fisheries research and stocking. Then there is the horned lizard plate.

The horned lizard plate was our first plate. And that plate funds a wide number of projects that benefit native wildlife here in Texas—such things as the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken, the horned lizard, of course, the freshwater turtles…as well as native grasses and other species of plants.

The plates cost $30 with $22 of that going directly to fund conservation projects, and this year they can even be purchased online at conservation—dash—plate—dot—org.

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

Conservation License Plates Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Abilene State Park, acquired in 1933 by deed from the City of Abilene, has been in the park system 74 years.

And it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and opening ceremonies were held on May tenth of 1934.

Okie Okerstrom, superintended of this nearly 530-acre site, says that new funding provided by the Texas Legislature will increase staffing at the park.

For the last four years we have been very short staffed. And so, through the successful legislative session, and the great work that our representatives have done for us, we are going to be able to bring some positions back, and be able to get fully staffed again.

Visitors over the past four years would be surprised to learn of the staffing shortage.

Yes, they would be, because we try to make that as transparent as possible. We still make sure that the restrooms are clean, and that the sites are ready for them, and hopefully it’s not obvious to them.

New funding also means new interpretive programs and events. One thing that stays the same, though, is the pool.

The action happens at the swimming pool—that’s the focus of the park during the summer. We have a lot of family reunions that come to Abilene SP because we do have a swimming pool. Some of our reunions have been coming for fifty years. It’s like family coming home to visit!

Details about Abilene State Park at passporttotexas.org

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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CLICK HERE to view a video of Abilene State park

Getting Better All The Time: Abilene State Park Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas Parks and Wildlife TV producer Ron Kabele gives offers sneak peek at May programming, starting with a story about an unusual cross country trip.

And there was this guy, and he was going from Canada to Mexico riding a hand cycle.

I don’t know how many times two guys in wheelchairs ever road a bike across the United States—it might be a first.

And he was doing it to raise money. The money was going to go so that they could purchase hand cycles for other disabled kids.

The hand cycling is fun!

Another piece we have is about tent maintenance. You know, a lot of people they get out there, in the middle of nowhere, and then they have a problem with their tent.

A common problem for all tent campers are holes developing from rocks being tracked in on shoes, or rocks poking holes up through the bottom of the tent.

I went to Lake Whitney SP last year. It’s a beautiful lake.

It’s so hard to just get away and be a family. And when you can come to a place like this and for the first time you kind of realize what it’s supposed to be all about.

(Bird chirping) Another story this month is the basics of birding.

(Woodpecker) Oh, a pileated woodpecker. (Bird call)

You know, it’s kind of like a mystery game to me.

Experience the mystery when you tune in to Texas Parks and Wildlife TV on PBS.

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

TP&W TV May Highlights Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas Parks and Wildlife TV producer Ron Kabele gives offers sneak peek at May programming, starting with a story about an unusual cross country trip.

And there was this guy, and he was going from Canada to Mexico riding a hand cycle.

I don’t know how many times two guys in wheelchairs ever road a bike across the United States—it might be a first.

And he was doing it to raise money. The money was going to go so that they could purchase hand cycles for other disabled kids.

The hand cycling is fun!

Another piece we have is about tent maintenance. You know, a lot of people they get out there, in the middle of nowhere, and then they have a problem with their tent.

A common problem for all tent campers are holes developing from rocks being tracked in on shoes, or rocks poking holes up through the bottom of the tent.

I went to Lake Whitney SP last year. It’s a beautiful lake.

It’s so hard to just get away and be a family. And when you can come to a place like this and for the first time you kind of realize what it’s supposed to be all about.

(Bird chirping) Another story this month is the basics of birding.

(Woodpecker) Oh, a pileated woodpecker. (Bird call)

You know, it’s kind of like a mystery game to me.

Experience the mystery when you tune in to Texas Parks and Wildlife TV on PBS.

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

TP&W TV May Highlights Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Wildlife Restoration Program

McAllis Point on West Galveston Island has it all—algal flats to coastal prairie—making it important habitat for wildlife.

So, if this were not saved for conservation, then, it would be developed into housing, or commercial—it could be a combination of the two since it does have road frontage.

Linda Shead is with the Trust for Public Land, TPL. In cooperation with federal and state agencies, Congress, local governments, and the private sector, TPL completed the purchase of the first 60 acres of the 127 acres of this environmentally important parcel.

This particular piece of property—the sixty acres, and then the ultimate 127—will be owned by the County of Galveston. In terms of its long-term stewardship, they are looking into the idea of partnering with a non-profit organization that’s interested in doing stewardship.

While the land is permanently protected from dense development, it’s not off limits to the public.

You know, there could be a string of kayak launches on the backside of Galveston island. Bird blinds—that sort of thing. It’s really prime for being able to do that, and being a destination. And consequently, it can contribute to the economics of the island. It is particularly a birding Mecca. And this could be one of the major stops, on tours, that people do of Galveston Island to see birds.

Learn more about McAllis Point at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement Program. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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CLICK HERE to find out about West Galveston Green Printing (it’s like a blueprint, but with the environment in mind).

Wetland Month -- McAllis Point, 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download