Passport to Texas

State Parks: Palo Duro Pavilion Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is one of the most stunning parks in the Texas State Park system. This month we celebrate the opening of a new facility at the site, made possible by a generous donation from a fellow Texan. Bryan Frazier has details.

59—Palo Duro Canyon is one of those iconic places that people from all over seem to know about and know what it is. And it is one of our flagship parks from a total outdoor recreation standpoint. It’s the second larges canyon in the US. Thousands of people go there very year to see it—and it’s just a fantastic place. And a gentleman by the name of Mac Dick came forward with a large sum of money and said he wanted to make a donation for a group facility. Not just any group facility, but one that was build like the old CCC style—with the native stone and the native materials. And we’re going to have that. And we’re having a ribbon cutting April 12th and the public’s invited to come see. It’s set in that beautiful scenery—that rust colored dirt and rock that is so famous in the Panhandle—and it’s built with those native stone materials so it blends right in. it’s absolutely fantastic…and we couldn’t be prouder of the partnership with this gentleman who has come forward and said he not only wants to be identified with the park, but he wants to help do something that will generate revenue for years to come.

Thanks, Bryan.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Earth Day Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment…and thus began the annual celebration of the planet called Earth Day.

2012 marks the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day, and millions of people worldwide are gearing up for it. But a once a year celebration is useless if that’s where it ends. So I want to challenge everyone listening, to do something every day to care for Mother Earth.

What kinds of things can you do? Perhaps plant native plants that use less water and provide food and shelter for wildlife. Or take a ceramic coffee mug to the office instead of using disposable cups. Perhaps you could make sure to properly dispose of monofilament fishing line so it doesn’t harm aquatic life.

In addition, when camping, leave your campsite in better shape than you found it. Or, your stewardship goal might be to spend time with your family outdoors instead of inside with the television—because you’re no good to nature with a remote in your hand.

Mix it up, and add new earth friendly activities to your list every week…or at least every month. As for me, I plan to be better about composting my kitchen scraps, and being more mindful about water use around my home. I also plan to plant a bird and butterfly garden this year.

What will you do?

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

TPW TV: The Pronghorn Puzzle Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Once abundant in the Trans-Pecos region, pronghorn antelope populations have declined dramatically. A segment on this month’s Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series looks at efforts to understand this trend. Producer, Alan Fisher.

57—Pronghorn are a really beautiful animal and they were once all over the plains and across the west. But, some of the pockets are now starting to maybe have some trouble adapting to the changing state.

You used to be able to drive from Valentine to Marfa and see, maybe, two or three hundred of them just from the highway, and now you’re lucky if you see one.

It’s an iconic species, and I think it’s easy to look at as a flagship species for grasslands. These areas are changing; the open range of yesteryear has been fenced off and been broken up a bit. It may make species like the pronghorn a little more vulnerable. So, I follow a group of biologist who are out capturing baby pronghorn fawns [Good catch] and collaring them with radio tracking collars.

We got one. It’s a big one, too. Okay, baby. Okay.

The Pronghorn Puzzle airs the week of April 8th. And you can also see it on YouTube.

Thanks, Alan.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and conservation programs in Texas.

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

State Parks: Whole Earth Helps State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Heat, drought, and wildfires kept visitors from state parks last year, which severely reduced revenue. Citizens wanting to help have donated more than a million dollars to support parks. And businesses, including Whole Earth Provision Company, are helping, too. Bryan Frazier has details.

62—They approached us and said they would like to help the cause of state parks. They’re the host sponsor for the Banff Film Festival every year here in Austin, and all of the net proceeds will benefit state parks. The second thing they’ve offered to do is for the entire month of April to make state parks a beneficiary of donations at their counters—when people check out with their merchandise, they ask if they’d like to make a donation to state parks. And for every $20 that’s donated, Whole Earth Provision Company will then give customers a free $5 gift card that can be used on site at Texas State parks. And it’s companies like that, that are making a difference. So really, collectively, people across Texas are saying they’re concerned about state parks and they want to help. And now what we’ve seen is businesses stepping up in a very valued partnership allowing us to do things that we otherwise couldn’t do.

Thanks, Bryan.

Go to texasstateparks.org to find out how you can help state parks.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet: supporting outdoor recreation in Texas because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Share Your Love of Angling Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

You don’t have to be a great angler to be a great Angler Education Instructor. If you love the sport find joy in introducing young people to it—Texas Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from you.

09—In the instructor class, we give them all of the tools and the knowledge and skills they would need to teach kids the junior angler program.

Before retiring, Ann Miller coordinated the aquatic education program for TPW. She encourages any adult angler with time to share, to help kids learn to fish.

24—Many adults out there are anglers themselves, and really want to share that love of fishing with the younger generation. And this gives them the opportunity to do that. Many adults also are working already with different youth groups and our junior angler program is just a wonderful addition to their potpourri of things that they can do with kids.

Miller says she finds youth group leaders attracted to the Junior Angler program because of the positive on the children they mentor.

11—They do want to have a positive outlet for their energies and enthusiasm and, kids just love it. So, this is something that they can do to steer kids in the right direction.

Find information about the volunteer angler instructor program on the TPW website.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series and works to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.