Passport to Texas

The stars at night….

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This is Passport to Texas

The Passport to Texas radio series from Texas Parks and Wildlife tells stories about our state’s natural world in 90-seconds a day. It offers a taste of the outdoors, but if it leaves you wanting more—you’re not alone, and you’re in luck.

Later this month, TPW adds to its audio offerings when it debuts its new long-format podcast Under the Texas Sky. It’ll cover some of the usual topics, and some unusual ones as well. It’s hosted by yours truly.

In the first podcast you’ll meet Cassandra and Chris Neve [NEEVE], a twenty-something year old sister and brother from Austin. They’re out of practice when it comes to spending time outside. So, we’re hooking them up with outdoor enthusiasts and experts, and plan to follow them for a year as they keep audio diaries of their experiences.

Also in that podcast, I speak with an eco-therapist about the emotional benefits of time spent in nature, and how to overcome anxieties about spending time outdoors.

I also chat with a nutritionist about the best fuel for an active outdoor lifestyle. And, I check in with one of my colleagues who has her finger on the pulse of all things outdoors. She provides us with the resources we need to plan our next adventure.

Go to underthetexassky.org for details about the podcast, including where to stream or download it. You can also find out how you can be on it.

And remember: Life’s better outside… Under the Texas Sky. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

The mysterious power and irresistible draw of Jacob’s Well inspire a push to protect the underwater cave and springs.
Written by Joe Nick Patoski
Read by Cecilia Nasti

At first sight, Jacob’s Well appears to be a deep, dark hole at the bottom of a pool of creek water — nothing more. Pay attention to how the hole, about 15 feet in diameter, has perpetually gushed pure artesian water out of the ground since before humans first wandered around this part of what is now known as the Hill Country, and it takes on deeper meaning. Listen to stories about it, and it becomes something much more than just a special natural place…

You can read the story in its entirety on the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine’s website.

To hear this story in its entirety, click on the icon below.

Groundwater Gusher Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For whooping cranes and other species, life depends on the health of Texas bays.
Written by Carol Flake Chapman
Read by Cecilia Nasti

Two distant white blobs stand out against the grayish horizon on an overcast day as the 75-foot Wharf Cat chugged slowly across Aransas Bay on its way to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Bracing myself on the boat’s observation deck, I focus my binoculars on the marshy southwest edge of the refuge and then nearly drop them in excitement as the blobs resolved themselves into a pair of huge birds feeding in a shallow pond….

You can read the story in its entirety on the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine’s website.

Click on the icon below to hear this story in its entirety.

Bird By Bird, Fin By Fin, Drop By Drop Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

When photographer Richard Stone sets out to capture nature with his camera he never leaves home without… his mountain bike.

You get to see much, much, much more…as a wildlife and nature photographer I get more places on a bike that I do in a car.

And Texas state parks offer a wealth of scenic variety for biking…including mountains.

You can bike on a beach, you can bike in Big Bend Park, you can bike in the Hill Country State Natural Area with the horses, there’s many different places, East Texas through the Pineywoods, even Bastrop to Buesher State Parks…there is a tremendous diversity.

There is also a wide range of trail users, which means riders have to share the road.

We always yield the trail to hikers, because they have the right of way…and to equestrians…give the walkers the right of way. Control your bicycle, plan ahead, control your speed, don’t skid your tires, don’t leave any traces on the park.

Texas Parks and Wildlife offers an online brochure listing state parks with bike trails as well as their degree of difficulty. We have a link to it at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…thank you for joining us…For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Mountain Biking in Texas Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

People who don’t live in Texas are usually surprised by the amount of water we have here, as well as the extensive and diverse angling opportunities available in the state.

If freshwater fishing is your thing, and bass your bag, then Lake Texoma, near Oklahoma, Falcon Lake on the border with Mexico, Caddo Lake near Louisiana, and even the White River Reservoir in the panhandle have healthy bass populations just waiting for you to reel them in. Each lake also has plenty of species like catfish and crappie for your angling pleasure.

For some… saltwater angling is a passion — and if it is for you — consider Goose Island State Park, where you won’t find any geese, but you will find prolific waters of Aransas, Copano and St. Charles Bays. Mustang Island, meanwhile, offers primitive camping on a first come first served basis, as well as prime opportunities to get into the surf and pull in rockfish, red fish and maybe sea trout, as well as other sport fish.

Come to passporttotexas.org where you’ll find useful links to help bring out your inner angler.

That’s our show…made possible by the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing, shooting, fishing and hunting in Texas.

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

Fishing in Texas--Landing Your Inner Angler Play Now | Play in Popup | Download