Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Chris Holmes, Director Interpretive Services, was honored recently by Texas Parks and Wildlife for his work with the Texas Outdoor Family program. And you can see his story this month on the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS series. Producer: Karen Loke.

60— When he was awarded this employee award, it was for all of his work with the program Called Texas Outdoor Family Workshop.

My real passion is to get people back into our parks. I think they’re such valuable places in Texas.

And what he does is get people back into our state parks that have already taken a workshop with us; we’ve taught them how to camp, how to put up a tent – all these things you can do at most of our state parks. And once you register with a workshop, you get an ID, and we can find out if you come back to a park. And Chris says, based on the information they’ve gathered so far, there’s a 40% return. So, that’s outstanding; and that’s why he won an award.

He’s probably the best thing the British have ever given to the United States.

He loves his job and he loves camping – he’s so enthusiastic about what he does. Just so dedicated to getting people into our parks. Believes our parks are the best places in the world.

So, what do you want people to know about Chris after watching this? What do you hope they take away from this?

Well, in his honor, I hope they visit a state park.

Great idea…thanks, Karen.

Catch the show with Chris Holmes this week (Dec. 9-15) on your PBS station.

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