Passport to Texas

The Edwards Aquifer

Eye on Nature

Endangered: Recovery Implementaion Program Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program, or RIP, protects endangered and threatened species in the Edwards Aquifer.

Many of these species are no more than an inch long. The Comal springs riffle beetle is even smaller…only two millimeters long.

But Texas parks and Wildlife water resources branch chief, Cindy Loeffler, says preserving the species is crucial to the ecosystem.

16 — These are, you know, you’ve heard the cliché canary in the coal mine. If we want to truly protect natural resources, fish and wildlife, these unique ecosystems. These species are indicators of the health of those ecosystems.

Loeffler also says if the program protects the identified species, it will most likely save many more in the process.

16 — We have some species that there’s very little known about. And these are in a way the tip of the iceberg of the threatened and endangered species that are found associated with the Edwards Aquifer. There are many more species that are not listed that are found nowhere else.

Many of these species — like the San Marcos blind salamander and Texas wild rice — are found nowhere else in the world…. And pumping water from the Edwards Aquifer alters the habitat, putting these species in an unstable environment.

Learn more about threatened and endangered species on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Preparing Young Hunters

Hunting: Preparing for Hunting Season Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On Saturday, September first, fall hunting kicks off with dove season. The question is: will you be ready?

04—Those hunters need to be thinking about some primary things that deal with safety.

Terry Erwin oversees Hunter Education programs at Texas Parks and Wildlife.

12 – They need to make sure they have their hunter education class completed; they need to make sure those firearms are in good, operable condition; and one of the most important things is to get out there in the field and practice.

And Erwin says dove and quail hunters would do well to get in some practice with sporting clays, because nothing is more frustrating to a hunter than to spend a day in the field with only missed shots to show for it.

10 –Sporting clays typically simulates the shooting scenarios that you’ll find in the dove field, or out in the quail fields. So, take advantage of this time and get out there an practice.

Erwin also offers some sobering advice to hunters.

08 –And don’t forget. It’s really hot out there this time of the year. Keep hydrated. Keep the liquids flowing. But remember, don’t drink that alcohol.

The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas…

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

Bull Redfish, TPWD website

Angling: Annual Red Bull Run Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Texas anglers look forward to the annual running of the bulls — bull redfish, that is.

07—It’s large schools of mature red drum – male and female – aggregating near gulf passes to spawn.

Bill Balboa is ecosystem leader for Galveston Bay system. The bull red run begins in late August, crescendos about mid September, and continues through the fall. And these fish, most over 28-inches long, give anglers a good fight.

20 –They call them bulls for a reason, and it’s because they’re very strong fish; they don’t give up easily. So generally most anglers are going to fish for bull reds in the surf using what I would consider typical surf tackle — which is a little bit heavier rod and reel, because what they can expect is a lot of long runs from this fish. They pull very hard. Much like a bull would pull if you had it on a rope.

Although anglers can reel in bull reds all along the gulf coast, their best opportunities lie north of Matagorda Bay.

08—A lot of bull red fishing occurs in Sergeant up off of Freeport; Crystal Beach and Bolivar, in that area, and off of Sabine Pass.

And redfish is good eating. Keep an eye on the Texas Parks and Wildlife YouTube channel in the weeks ahead for a cooking segment with Chef Jesse Griffiths, preparing redfish three ways.

The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas…

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

Moorhen, photo by J.M.Garg via Wikipedia

TPW TV: The Fighting Moorhens Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

One of the nice things about being outside with a TV camera is when you see something unexpected, you can record it. TPW TV Series Producer, Don Cash.

53— Producer Abe Moore and I were at Brazos Bend SP doing a story on biking at Brazos Bend, and was shooting some wildlife, and noticed what to me looked like a couple of duck-like birds having a fight. I started taking pictures and just rolled tape for awhile. I called our birding expert, Cliff Shackelford, and sent him some video and had him come in and narrate what it was I was seeing, and it turned out that they were moorhens fighting over territory.

The combination of Cliff’s narration and watching these moorhens fight is pretty entertaining. So, the Fighting Moorhens will run as one of our postcards from Texas. It’ll air the last week of August on our show, which airs on all the PBS stations around Texas. And, of course, if you happen to miss it there, you can always watch it on our YouTube channel.

Thanks, Don.

The Wildlife and sport fish restoration program supports our series and celebrates 75 years of funding diverse conservation projects throughout Texas…

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

Bastrop State Park Entrance During the Fire

State Parks: Celebrating Bastrop's Recovery Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After the wildfires last year, it’s taken coordinated efforts among public and private interests and individuals and even nature to start bringing back Bastrop State Park and the surrounding community. And one year later, our State park Guide, Bryan Frazier says – it’s time to celebrate.

55— So, to mark that anniversary of the fire, lots of activities are going to be happening in Bastrop State Park. Around Labor Day – which this year is September third – there’s going to be a Fun Run that’s going to be held by the YMCA of Bastrop, which operates the swimming pool inside the state park. And the run will go around the park. And that’s going to be from about 7:30 in the morning until about 10 in the morning. And then there’s going to be all kinds of exhibits and activities. There will be even things like how to become a firefighter at the refectory and dining at Bastrop State Park. All kinds of activities for the whole family. And then on Sunday, the Ministerial Alliance has set aside a time about two o’clock in the afternoon where there will be a fellowship service to just talk about that, you know, people are still in recovery in some respect. On Monday, September third, there will be a community potluck. The park looks great and we’re looking at how can we make Bastrop State Park even better as we look forward.

Thanks Bryan

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.