Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Washington-on-the-Brazos is the Birthplace of Texas.

09—This is where 59 delegates convened, in a little unfinished building on the Brazos River, and drafted the declaration of Independence.

They declared their independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, and on March 17, adopted a Constitution for the Republic of Texas, naming an interim government.

Ginger Moreland is administrator of the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association. This year marks the 175th anniversary of this event, and that calls for a weekend-long celebration February 26th and 27th at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site in Washington, Texas.

15—We have a lot planned this year to commemorate the occasion. We will be full of the Texas army, and craftsmen from the period, demonstrators that can show you how to quilt, or make lace, or knives, all those kinds of things.

Mooreland said this year her group launched a signers association project, which traces the genealogy of the 59 signers of the declaration. They invited the descendants to attend the event, and so far, 1,000 confirmed.

14—Sunday, particularly, we have a special program. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson will be out there to make a keynote address. We talks with the Senator to have her this year, because she is a descendant of one of the 59 signers.

Find more information about the celebration of 175 years of Texas Independence on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

The Guadalupe bass has been on the decline for many years, and it’s time to use everything we’ve got to keep the state fish in our rivers…starting with the Llano River in central Texas.

07—The south Llano is in pretty good shape, but it has its issues as all do.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Director of Watershed Policy and Management Gary Garrett says in the past, biologists have stocked rivers with the Guadalupe bass. Now, they’re combining that with other methods, including working with landowners to create a more sustainable habitat. And all this isn’t just for the fish.

10—It’s working with landowners and getting them to understand that if they’ll do A and B and quit doing C, or whatever, not only will that help the Guadalupe bass, but it will help them.

Texas Parks and Wildlife fish biologist Tim Birdsong says that’s because both fish and people like healthy rivers.

12—The areas that Guadalupe bass are found in are these beautiful, pristine country streams, and also the recreational value of the bass is fairly high.

In other words, good land management protects the bass and can lead to healthier ecosystems, prettier landscapes and better fishing for all Texans to enjoy.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program, providing funding to conserve habitat for Texas sport fisheries.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

It won’t be long now before spring arrives, and with it the urge to take a road trip. Start your planning with the March issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Editor, Louie Bond.

69—So, this month, we’re going to take you way out west to visit the Texas State Bison herd. Our own Russell Roe went out there and he delves into not only the history and the breeding of this iconic herd, and talks about how they were once nearly extinct, but also they also have new territory to roam out at Caprock Canyon State Park. And with this new territory comes a chance for the public to interact even more with these wonderful creatures. And, if that’s not enough for you, we’ll send you all over the state, because we have picked a couple of dozen of our top natural wonders—we call it the best of Texas, naturally. And we have a wonderful piece written by Katharine Hunter. And I’ll give you a few examples of some f the things we’re going to share. For example, the best little shop of horrors in East Texas, the Big Thicket National Forest, with its carnivorous plants. The best place to get catty would be the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge where you can see some of the rare plants that we love so much in Texas. The best party with the stars, of course, would be at the MacDonald Observatory, and the best place to catch a sail, would be on the Elisa down in Galveston. So, it’s a whole host of natural wonders for you to enjoy this March.

Thanks, Louie.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Dr. Larry McKinney isn’t shy about sharing his affection for the Gulf of Mexico.

19—It is one of the most beautiful places in the world…when you get out into the gulf, be it in the Laguna Madre, or the coral reefs of the Flower Gardens, or the Florida Keys, or the area off the Mississippi River where you see huge pods of whale—we even have giant squid. It’s an incredibly beautiful place, biodiverse and productive. It’s a hidden treasure, and it’s well worth our protecting.

McKinney is the Executive Director of the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, at Corpus Christi, Texas A & M, and appears in this month’s hour-long TPW PBS documentary The State of the Gulf-America’s Sea.

14—I think this upcoming documentary on the Gulf, will give individuals a framework to learn about the Gulf, and will hopefully pique their interest to go and learn more. But it’s a wonderful coverage of all the aspects of the Gulf of Mexico that makes it important to all of us.

These aspects include environmental, economic and recreational value. To fully understand and appreciate the resource, you have to engage the Gulf.

14—Go fishing, boating, swimming. Go to the beaches, go to our parks that surround the gulf—certainly there are some wonderful ones here in Texas. Get out into that environment, and you’ll see why it’s worth protecting, and I think you’ll take the actions that are necessary to make sure we have it, not only for us, but for our kids.

The State of the Gulf-America’s Sea airs on most Texas PBS stations February 24, Check your local listings.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…supporting conservation efforts in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

At more than 600 thousand square miles, the Gulf of Mexico is the world’s ninth largest body of water, yet its value is unsurpassed.

13—Oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico accounts for nearly half of our oil and gas that comes into the United States, and similarly for fisheries, the same thing. But also, it’s one of the most incredible, biodiverse and productive areas of the world.

Dr. Larry McKinney is Executive Director at the Hart Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, at Corpus Christi, Texas A & M. You’ll meet him this month on the one-hour video documentary from TPW called The State of the Gulf-America’s Sea.

21—Well, I try to make the point in our documentary that the Gulf is a balance between economic needs and the environment, And we’re going to continue to need oil and gas in this country for many years to come—no matter how well we develop alternative energy sources (which we should). So, we’re going to have to find a way to balance the need to develop economically and to maintain the environment. And that’s the key to success in the Gulf of Mexico.

The documentary airs on most TX PBS stations February 24.

14—I hope that people will come to understand how important the Gulf of Mexico is to them, frankly no matter where they are. I mean, if you drive a car, use plastics, eat seafood, if you run water, if you fertilize your lawn, you have an impact on the Gulf of Mexico, and it has an impact on you.

Discover your connection with the Gulf this month on The State of the Gulf-America’s Sea. Check your local listings.

That’s our show…with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…supporting conservation in Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The State of the Gulf--America's Sea, 1 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download