Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Looking to reach new heights in your state park experience? You will do just that when you visit Sheldon Lake State Park. Our State park guide, Bryan Frazier explains.

56—it’s right in east Houston. And you have this oasis of nature preserve with an environmental learning center. There’s great fishing. There’s a 12-hundred acre reservoir, and it’s all on the part property, but the real news here lately is we’ve got a new observation tower. Great for birding and great just to see the views. You can see all the way down to San Jacinto Monument in one direction, and all the way to the Houston downtown skyline in the other. And you’ve got a good view of the 400 acre preserved prairieland that we have there. But this was something funded with donations—all of it was. So, no state dollars, no tax dollars were used in the construction of this. And that’s something that’s very important with the economy that we’re in. We’re able to provide this service and this unique perspective of Houston and further encourage the things that are popular there, with something from donations. And that is the John Jacob observation tower, which is having its grand opening this month at Sheldon Lake State Park.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Fishing doesn’t have to be an expensive sport. In fact, it’s once of the most economical activities you and your family can enjoy together. And this Saturday, it just got better, because this Saturday is Free Fishing Day!

04—You will not need a license in order to fish anywhere in our public waters.

Ann Miller oversees the Aquatic Education program at Parks and Wildlife. Free Fishing day is the cornerstone event of National Fishing and Boating Week. And while it is free, Miller reminds us that it is not a free-for-all.

09—Actually you will have to abide by the same rules and regulations as any other fishing day you just will not have to have a license in order to fish.

You don’t have your own fishing gear? That’s not a problem. You don’t need to own a rod and reel to fish during this free fishing event. Ms. Miller explains.

17—We do have a tackle loaner program so that people can actually borrow equipment. The tackle loaner sites are also on our website, so that you can look up…just put in tackle loaner in the search…and they’ll give you the nearest location where you can go borrow equipment to go fishing.

Find additional information about fishing in Texas and free fishing day on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series…reminding listeners that June fourth is Free Fishing Day in Texas .

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Texas Parks and Wildlife recognizes private landowners who demonstrate outstanding stewardship with the Lone Star Land Steward Awards. Meet these dedicated men and women in June on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series. Producer, Don Cash.

57—One of the award winners that we’re going to look at is the Duval County Ranch in the South Texas Plains. And this ranch has had over a hundred years of being heavily overgrazed.

These are just a couple of examples of landowners doing the right thing by their land. And we’ve got a Lone Star Land Steward winner every week this month on the television show.

Thanks, Don

Check your local listings.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

During extended periods of drought, when the risk of wildfires is highest, your plant choices and their
placement in the landscape could make your home vulnerable to fire damage.

While we do want to encourage the use of shrubs and brush around the home, we don’t want to encourage it right up against the home. Especially things that are extremely flammable…

Such as yaupon holly and cedar. Marks Klym coordinates the Texas Wildscapes program for Parks and Wildlife. In cooperation with the Texas Forest Service’s Firewise program, Klym’s program endeavors to educate homeowners about plant choices that are hot, but not readily flammable.

Something that’s got a higher water content. Things that don’t tend to take fire from the ground towards the roof, because the roof is a sensitive area in most homes. Things that don’t take fire from the ground up into your window frames, which is another very sensitive area. You want to avoid our tall native grasses, because they have a tendency to dry out and become a firebox. Certainly, the other thing you can do is use that area for your hardscapes. Things like rock walls…walkways. These become a good barrier that the firs has difficulty jumping, unless you’ve got forty mile an hour winds.

We have the link to the Texas Fire-wise website, at passporttotexas.org.

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

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