Passport to Texas

Family takes time to view wildlife while on a state park hike.

State Park Hiking Events for National Trails Day Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saturday, June 6th is National Trails Day–a nationwide event organized by the American Hiking Society to create awareness about the variety of trails across the country.

You can go to any park any time and find a trail to explore, but on National Trails Day parks statewide host special guided hiking events. We’ll focus on two events out west.

If you are in the El Paso area, the Wyler Arial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park hosts a 7 a.m., mile-long hike up Ranger Peak with a short Leave No Trace workshop prior getting underway. At the top of Ranger Peak you can enjoy a 7,000 square mile view of three
states and two nations. This hike is moderate to strenuous due to the incline.

Big Bend Ranch State Park offers a round trip 1.5 mile hike that starts at 9 a.m. June 6th and will take in the spectacular panoramic views from the top of the ridge trail. It’s a strenuous 2.5 hour hike; they recommend wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants, and bringing at least 20 ounces of water with you.

In fact, anytime you go hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and bring plenty of water, a snack, and a walking stick if you like.

For more information about National Trails Day June 6th and to sign-up for these and other guided hikes, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, or call the parks directly.

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

Hiking at McKinney Falls State Park in November 1974.

National Trails Day Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Saturday June 6th is National Trails Day. And as it happens, hiking is a popular activity at Texas State Parks.

05- Our trails really give people an opportunity to experience everything about state parks.

Thomas Wilhelm works with state parks, and says hikers and walkers of all abilities have the unique opportunity to experience nature up close and personal on the trails during National Trails Day, June 6th and every day.

12- We have hikes from beginner level paved hikes all the way to very difficult hikes. So, regardless of your skills or your interests –
there’s a trail that’s perfect for you [in a state park].

This includes equestrian trails and ADA Accessible trails. The trails in Texas State Parks offer hikers opportunities to experience native flora and fauna, as well as solitude, peace and calm. And, for those who like to exercise their brain along with their bodies…

15-There’s also opportunities with interpretive hikes that have panels along the way that explain what’s happening. So, you’re either learning something about nature or about history — or whatever it may be. So it’s both a relaxing experience or an enlightening experience.

Celebrate National Trails Day June 6th by finding a trail that’s just right for you at texasstateparks.org.

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.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Springtime is Watch out for Snakes Time Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Now that spring is here, you know you’ll be spending more time outdoors. And, when you do, my advice: watch your step…literally.

07—Probably most people who spend any amount of time hiking in Texas have been within arm’s reach of a diamondback and never knew it.

Andy Gluesenkamp is a herpetologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Don’t let what he just said about the big, scary venomous Western Diamondback Rattlesnake — the deadliest snake in North America –keep you locked up indoors.

07—Diamondbacks would by and large much prefer to avoid contact than get in some sort of fisticuffs with a large animal like a human.

These snakes play defense. They usually hang out in the vicinity of fallen logs, brush piles, and rocks. If they think you don’t see them, they’ll lie perfectly still and let you proceed on your merry way. They don’t court trouble. However…

14—If they feel threatened by you, the first thing that they’ll do is buzz that rattle. On rare occasions when somebody reaches their hands into a crevice, or is picking up firewood and grabs a snake or steps on a snake—then they’re going to react violently. And that’s when people tend to get bitten.

You know what you have to do. Find more information about snakes on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website.

The Wildlife Restoration program supports our series and works to restore native habitat in Texas.

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

Fishing: Gateway to outdoor obsession.

Health: Benefits of Time Spent in Nature Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

With more than a million acres of public parks and wild spaces in Texas, opportunities to get outside abound, and so do the health benefits of being active outdoors.

Adult men and women should carve out at least 30 minutes a day for some kind of physical activity. For children, that time grows to a full hour. Regular body-moving, heart-pumping movement builds muscle and develops balance and flexibility – among other benefits.

From daytime and guided night hikes, to star gazing, bike and equestrian trails, bird watching, to swimming, rock climbing, paddling, and geocaching – state and local parks offer a chance to get outside no matter your interest or ability. Your imagination is really the only
thing standing between you and what you can do outdoors.

Of course, you can always go to the gym to log your 30 minutes of activity a day, but when nature is your fitness center your workouts will all seem like play. Side stepping puddles, leaping up rocks, and traversing up and down hills exercise your balance and stability in
addition to the cardiovascular system…not to mention what being in the wide open spaces breathing fresh air can do for your peace of mind.

The outdoor alternative is also more affordable than the gym, as many state parks offer low-cost admission. So go ahead and get out, because life’s better outside. Find a park or scenic trail near you at texasstateparks.org.

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.

He’s not heavy, he’s my hiking partner…

Parks: Hikes with Homeless Dogs Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Every Thursday morning at nine, visitors to Davis Mountains State Park in west Texas meet for a guided hike…with homeless dogs.

10— We usually have more people than dogs. We usually give one dog to a family and then a third of the way through the walk we’ll stop and then we’ll switch the dogs to different people so everybody has a chance.

Ranger, Tara Poloskey, coordinates and guides the hikes with shelter dogs from the Grand Companions Humane Society in Fort Davis (http://www.grandcompanions.org/); both hikers and dogs benefit.

17—The visitors need dogs to walk when they leave their dogs at home and they’re missing their dogs. And, also, the dogs at the shelter don’t get a lot of socialization and maybe they’ve had some pretty hard histories. They need to get out and get socialized and learn how to walk on leashes to make them more adoptable.

Tara Poloskey says the program is popular with Davis Mountains SP visitors.

14—Everyone is happy to see the dogs; visitors know they’re helping the dogs. And, I do talk some about the park while we’re walking, so it’s a good mix of interpretation and dog walks. And, for the dogs, it’s a wonderful way for them to socialize and get used to different people.

Sometimes hikers even adopt the dogs.

05— In fact, today we had two. A total of five, actually, over the course of a year, but today we had two.

Find details about hikes with homeless dogs in the calendar section of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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