Passport to Texas

Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, December 2013, cover art by Clemente Guzman

TPW TV: An Inspired Artist Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When Texas Parks and Wildlife TV producer Abe Moore decided to shoot a segment on a wildlife artist for the PBS series, he didn’t have to look any further than Parks and Wildlife’s own Clemente Guzman.

58—He’s just so good at painting wildlife. It’s just a natural gift that he has.

So, we followed him from the beginning of a project to the culmination of the finale, and it’s just a great picture he did. So, you can see the story and the painting that he finished the last week in November on the TV show.

Thanks, Abe.

Check your local listings.

That’s our show for today…Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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

Father and son fishing at sunrise on jetty at South Padre.

Outdoor Story: A Father's Commitment Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fort Worth native, Ryan Spencer says his father made a conscious commitment to spend time outdoors with him and his brother, even though his dad wasn’t much of an outdoorsman.

15—He wasn’t a lumberjack, you know. He didn’t know everything about the outdoors or anything like that. But, he made a commitment to my brother and myself that we were going to get outside. So, for the next seven years every single month we went camping as a family. It was amazing.

This exposure to nature had a profound impact on Ryan, and caused a ripple effect; today Ryan is a Park Ranger with the Texas Outdoor Families program.

36—If you’d asked me maybe three years ago, I probably would have told you I was going to be a lawyer. I managed to get an internship with Texas Parks and Wildlife; I worked out at Guadalupe river State Park for a good while. While I was there I just really developed this profound sense of accomplishment from helping people enjoy state parks. They’re such a wonderful resource, and they’re all over the state of Texas, and they can do so much for a family that it was just a no brainer. And as soon as I got the opportunity to get on board with Texas Outdoor Family – I jumped at it. Because, I knew that it was going to give me a chance to really make a difference in a lot of people’s lives, and I’ve been blessed to be able to do that ever since.

For Ryan, Life’s Better Outside.

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

Geocaching in a state park.

Camping: Maximizing the Experience Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s fall camping season, and Robert Owen with the Texas Outdoor Family program says if you keep the following suggestions in mind, you’ll have a great time on your next campout.

57—Plan ahead for your activities. Make sure you have a good pair of comfortable shoes to go along with your weekend; while you’re spending time on the trail you’ll want to keep your feet comfortable. Bring some water and sunscreen along regardless of the season. I like to bring along a GPS unit when I camp because I do enjoy Geocaching as a sport. Bring along that fishing equipment – the fish always tend to bite better in the cooler months. And also [bring some] binoculars – the winter months provide great opportunities for bird watching at Texas State Parks, and wildlife watching as well. Would you say that going to www.texasstateparks.org is a good place for people to begin their camping trip? Absolutely. It’s broken down into a map view, so you can find a park that’s nearby home or if you’re looking for a reason to get out and explore someplace new. It will tell you all about what the park has to offer; you can check out the park map there, and get a feel for what each campsite may offer. And, there may be a schedule of interpretive activities as well.

Thanks, Robert.

Go to texasstateparks.org to plan your next campout… because Life’s Better Outside.

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

Children enjoying outdoor activities on a campout.

Camping: What to Bring on Your Campout Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Do you avoid overnight camping because you’re afraid you won’t get your beauty rest?

05—The folks that do avoid camping tend to think that it’s not comfortable. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re concerned you’ll be counting sheep instead of sawing logs on an overnight campout, Robert Owen with the Texas Outdoor Family Program says a blanket, pillow and a few other items will have you sleeping like a baby in Mother Nature’s embrace.

45—I always like to bring either a foam pad to sleep on or an air mattress – and even cots are getting especially popular now. Sleeping bags often have a temperature rating on them, so you’ll want to make sure that you know what your overnight lows are going to be; maybe even subtract a couple of degrees from that just to be safe, and make sure your sleeping bag is rated for that temperature. We have some tips for folks who are going to spend the night outdoors when the temperature starts to drop: air mattresses –they can actually cool you off over night. They might be very comfortable, but it’s like sleeping on a pillow of cold air. If you can insulate yourself against that pillow of cold air, it’s really going to make you more comfortable overnight. All that means is laying a blanket or sleeping bag below you – between you and the air mattress – and that goes a long way.

Tomorrow Robert Owen returns to tell us about maximizing your camping experience.

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

Camping at Inks Lake State Park

Camping: Choosing a Site Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Fall camping season is here, and Robert Owen –an avid camper who works with the Texas Outdoor Family program—offers suggestions for choosing a campsite for your overnight adventure.

43—What I look for in a campsite is a bit of privacy. I enjoy a quiet end of the park; a place where the family can settle down and enjoy peace and quiet of nature. Nearby nature trails – looking for a trail that offers the family something to do right off the back of the campsite is always a real benefit. Also, I always like to reasonably close to water if the park offers water so that all those recreational opportunities are there. I also look for a campsite that has level ground. There’re no safety concerns like low hanging limbs or anything like that, that might interfere with my evening. And proximity to the restroom. You always want to make sure you’re within a comfortable distance of the restroom.

One of the best ways to ensure that close proximity to the restroom is to arrive early on the day of check-in to get the best choice of campsites.

Tomorrow Robert Owen returns to tell us what to bring on a camping trip.

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