Passport to Texas

Volunteer at Texas State Parks

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Volunteers donate more than a half-million hours of service worth over $17-million dollars annually to all Texas Parks and Wildlife programs.

They get to work with really friendly and knowledgeable staff, and they have a great time just being outside and enjoying nature, themselves, as part of their giving back.

Audrey Muntz is the new volunteer coordinator for Texas state parks, and says anyone with an interest can find a volunteer opportunity in parks that suits them.

We have hundreds of opportunities throughout the state at state parks. Some of them are one time; some of them are short term. And, the majority of them are ongoing.

One of the most coveted long-term volunteer jobs is state park host. In exchange for their services, they receive a campground site.

Those individuals serve up to 24-30 hours a week in exchange for being able to keep their RV in the campground. And so they can help with a huge variety of things, from keeping the grounds clean, to fee collection. And they are the face of the park in many ways, and help campers get to know and learn the park and keep it as beautiful and clean as they can for all of our visitors.

Park host commitments range from two to six months; and, established volunteers often move from one park to another.

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

Goliad State Park and Historic site during Rio! Rio!

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When visitors set foot on the grounds of Goliad State Park and Historic site and see the exquisitely restored 18th Century Mission Espíritu Santo, they may think the site is intended for quiet contemplation only.

Well, that’s one of the misconceptions people find when they come here.

Jared Ramirez is a park ranger at the site.

They’re coming to visit an historic site, and they don’t realize that we actually have full hook-ups for trailers. We have water and electric sites for camping. We have a lot of people that enjoy our paddling trail and fishing as well. We have a little bit of everything, and our visitors really are surprised when they come out and see us.

But there’s still an opportunity to delve into the history of the site. Including in November, with the annual Rio! Rio! Event.

We’ll have historic reenactors all throughout the Mission grounds; blacksmiths, stonecutters—a little bit of everything. We have a few thousand people come to that event every year. What is the point of Rio! Rio! To show a little bit about Mission lifeways. The types of materials they were working with back then. The way they would cook. The way they would build. Just a little bit about the life in the 18th century.

Find details about Rio! Rio! And other events and activities at Goliad State Park and Historic site—as well as all Texas State parks—in the calendar section of the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

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

Chapel at Goliad State Park and Historic Site

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About halfway between Victoria and Beeville on HWY 59 South you’ll find Goliad State Park and Historic Site.

Well, we have—we feel—one of the hidden treasures in the state park system: the historic Mission Espiritu Santo, which is a Spanish mission that was established in 1749. So, it’s one of the oldest sites in Texas.

Jared Ramirez is a park ranger at the site. The moment you walk onto the grounds and see the buildings, you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

They are representative of the Franciscan missionary style, dating back to the 18th century. They are very similar to the missions in San Antonio; situated in a really beautiful site right next to the San Antonio River.

Ramirez says many visitors to Goliad State Park and Historic Site never knew it existed until they passed it headed to the coast.

A lot of people pass us up on their way to the coast; a lot of fishermen on their way to Rockport. Many visitors stop and ask, ‘What’s that building?’ And they come in, pay their three dollars, and are really surprised at what we have to offer. It really does stand out.

Goliad State Park and Historic Site offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. And we’ll talk about those on tomorrow’s show.

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

Bison Music Festival

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This is Passport to Texas

The official State Bison Herd has more than doubled in size since 1997—that’s when Texas Parks and Wildlife took possession of the animals at Caprock Canyons SP.

I believe there were around 50 or so when SP became the caretaker. There’s about 130 or so that are in the herd right now.

They’re descended from the original southern bison herd that thundered across the plains before European settlers reduced their numbers to near extinction. Donald Beard is superintendent at Caprock Canyons State Park, and says more bison are on the way.

We’re getting more cows into the breeding age. So, we’re going to see a population explosion before too much longer.

Plus: the Texas Legislature named the bison the state mammal. With all this good news, we need to celebrate. So, on Saturday, September 17, the 6th Annual Texas State Bison Music Festival takes place south of the park in Quitaque, Texas.

The festival this year will be headlined by Texas icon, Robert Earl Keen. Tickets are $30 for general admission. And, the concert starts at about 3 p.m. and the vendors start at about 9 a.m. Come all day and bring your lawn chairs.

Campsites are available and there’s a$10 cooler fee. Find complete details and music line-up, plus tickets for the Texas State Bison Music Festival at bisonfest.com.

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

Operation Game Thief Clay Stoppers Shootout

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This is Passport to Texas

Operation Game Thief Texas belong to the International Wildlife Crime-Stoppers Association.

And I’m proud to say Texas is the leader. Texas leads because of the way we’re structured and the way we operate. Texas offers cash rewards up to a thousand dollars for information leading to arrests and convictions.

Lt. Lewis Rather oversees Operation Game Thief. Generous public support provides money for rewards and education.

We have 14 information and educational. We’re very lucky in Texas, and so we’re very thankful to have the program.

September 23 a fundraiser—Operation Game Thief Alamo Area Clay Stoppers Shootout—takes place in San Antonio. Teams and individuals take aim to raise money for Operation Game Thief.

We have a lot of fun down there. You can come and shoot, and if you’re a top winner, you can win a lifetime hunting and fishing license from Parks and Wildlife. We have great auction items. Raffle items. A great lunch provided by OGT board member, Jimmy Hasslocher. We have a lot of 4-H youth teams coming to shoot. A lot of our paralyzed veterans and wounded warrior teams are coming to shoot. So, it’s going to be a big event. And if you have a chance, come out and support what Game Wardens do for Texas, for wildlife, for all of us.

Find complete registration details for the September 23 fundraiser—Clay Stoppers Shootout Alamo Area Clay Stoppers Shootout—at www.ogttx.org

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

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