Passport to Texas

Girls riding bikes at Resaca de la Palma State Park

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In February 2015 the White House announced a new initiative called Every Kid in a Park.

06— It’s a very exciting initiative. It is something that really ties in with what we’re working so hard with here in Texas.

Jennifer Bristol coordinates the Texas Children and Nature Program at Parks and Wildlife. The new initiative waives national park entrance fees for every child in the fourth grade. Why fourth grade? Jessica says kids are still willing to spend time with mom and dad, and that it’s an impressionable time.

25—It is really the time when children connect probably the most with nature. It’s called the age, or development time, of joy and wonder of discovery. And it’s when kids really make that connection – especially with wildlife. They care about something; they understand that the actions that they take can have an impact either on the environment; it can have an impact on wildlife. And so, they want to care for it, and they start building up those bonds with it.

Texas currently waives state park entrance fees for children 12 and under, and the new White House initiative dovetails nicely with the Texas program.

06— This is just one more way that families can have those barriers reduced to access to the outdoors.

And as we all know: Life’s better outside. Discover ways to engage the outdoors when you visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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