Passport to Texas

A Texas State Park is closer than you think.

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This is Passport to Texas

With an increase in state park visitation by more than half a million over the past four years, parks stay pretty busy.

Some, too busy. In fact, the more popular parks in the system, such as Enchanted Rock, Garner, and Pedernales often close their gates early due to maximum visitor capacity.

To get around the crowds, try visiting during non-peak hours. Usually during the week. Check each park’s social media for the latest closure updates.

Of course, if you’re already there, instead of waiting in line for the gates to reopen, visitors are encouraged to consider the nearby alternatives to their favorite Texas state parks.

For example, if you find yourself on the wrong side of the gate at Garner State Park:

Lost Maples State Natural Area,

Hill Country State Natural Area,  and

Kickapoo Cavern State Park are three sites located within an hour of Garner.

And, just south of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and Pedernales Falls State Park lie four hidden gems waiting to be discovered:

Old Tunnel State Park,

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site,

Blanco State Park, and

South Llano River State Park.

Find a map of all Texas State Parks at texasstateparks.org, or download the Texas State Parks Mobile App, from iTunes or Google Play.

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.

Hardworking native bumblebee

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This is Passport to Texas

Jessica Beckham is on a quest to catch some fuzzy flying
Insects.

Today we are out here surveying bumblebees in a little roadside area of Denton County.

She’s been studying bumblebees at the University of North Texas while pursuing a Ph.D. in environmental science. Next week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS follows her efforts in a segment called The Bee Searcher.

Here in Texas, we have sweat bees, digger bees, leaf cutter bees, resin bees. About 700 to 800 species of bees that are native bees. Including nine species of bumblebees.

We know about honeybees and colony collapse disorder, but Jessica Beckham wants to know more about the plight of native bumblebees.

I’m studying native pollinators, bumblebees in particular, because native pollinators may serve as an insurance policy against these losses of honeybees.

Insect pollinators, including bumblebees are responsible for about 80 percent of the pollination of wild flowering plants and about 75 percent of our agricultural plants.

Bumblebees are great pollinators, because the bees deliberately collect pollen and they have a lot more hair than honeybees, and they move a lot of pollen from flower to flower.

View the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV segment The Bee Searcher next week on PBS. Check your local listings.

The Wildlife restoration program supports our series.

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

Some things never change.

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This is Passport to Texas

There’s a provocative article in the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine I want to tell you about. In it, author Russell Roe essentially explores evolution.

He writes that the mix of plants and animals you see around you is not what people saw 100 years ago, and it won’t be what people will see 100 years from now. He asks us to consider that “99.99 percent of all species that have lived on Earth have gone extinct.”

This thought-provoking article explains how humans are accelerating ecological change by removing established species, introducing new species, and by diverting the flow of water, among other things. He writes that by doing so, humans are rapidly changing the playing field for life in Texas.

In the article The New Natives [changed to New in Town] in the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Russell Roe tells readers it’s difficult to untangle the web of cause-and-effect that led to the mix of species we see today, adding that iconic species that once defined the character of natural regions have been lost not only from the landscape, but also from the collective memory of generations of Texans.

He closes the article by putting the spotlight on three of Texas’ iconic species to illustrate how they have changed and adapted over time.

Find The New Natives in the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

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

Bison at Caprock Canyons State Park

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This is Passport to Texas

When you visit Caprock Canyons State Park you may come face-to-face with one or more of the over 150 bison roaming freely within on the park.

You do want to give them respect.

The animals make up the official Texas State Bison herd. Donald Beard is park superintendent, and says when on the grounds, remain aware of your surroundings – which is true even if there weren’t one ton animals ambling about.

They are a wild animal and they are capable of running very fast. So, you want to give them at least a 50 yard buffer. Of course, they don’t have to follow that rule, so they could come right up to you. And if that’s the case, then what you want to do is just stand still; no sudden movements. And wait for them, they’ll just pass right on by.

As tempting as it might be: do not approach the bison, and do not feed them.

This goes for all wildlife. Every one of these. You don’t approach the wildlife. This is their territory. You have to respect that you’re in their house. So, you just give them the right of way and let them do their thing.

And you can do your thing Saturday September 23 at the Annual Texas State Bison Music Fest in Quitaque. Money raised from ticket sales funds bison research and conservation. Find the music lineup and ticket information at bisonfest.com.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Members of the Texas State Bison Herd at Caprock Canyons State Park

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This is Passport to Texas

History walks on four legs at Caprock Canyons State Park. It’s where descendants of southern plains bison, from a herd started by rancher Charles Goodnight, roam free.

It’s the official bison herd of the State of Texas. It’s a herd started by Charles Goodnight back in 1878; these animals are direct descendants of those that he captured in the wild right here in this area.

Donald Beard is park superintendent.

These are the last true remaining example of the southern plains bison. Animals that were captured by him [Goodnight] in these canyons. Kept in these canyons and never had any influence from any other animals [bison] outside of this area. So, their genetics are basically the same as they were back in the 1870s.

No fences separate visitors to Caprock Canyons State Park from the approximately 150-plus bison on site.

Awe, it’s amazing. You have to wait for them to cross the road. They can wander through your campsite. Go down to the lake while you’re fishing and take a drink. They’re just like any other wild animal in the park. You can experience them as they were – not behind a fence in an exhibition.

September 23 the 7th Texas State Bison Music Fest takes place in Quitaque. Find the music lineup and ticket information at bisonfest.com. Money raised funds bison research and conservation.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti