Passport to Texas

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

The 12th annual Lone Star Land Steward Awards were handed out last month in Austin to private landowners for the innovative ways in which each manages land for habitat and wildlife.

The highest honor, the Leopold Conservation Award, was presented, in partnership with the Sand County Foundation, to a north Texas couple.

We are pleased to award it this year to 77 Ranch in Navarro County. Gary and Sue price are the owner operators. They’ve done tremendous work in restoring Blackland Prairie, grassland prairie, over many years, and are very deserving of the highest recognition.

Linda Campbell is program director for private lands and public hunting.

They have been working at this for about thirty years. They’ve taken a lot of old, worn out cotton farms; they have reintroduced native grasses… He’s a leader in the community, Mr. Price. And they are true land stewards to the absolute definition of the term. They’ve done a tremendous amount of work on their own place, and have had a lot of influence, I think, on many other landowners as well. :22

The Leopold Conservation Award comes with a $10,000 prize and the Leopold crystal award.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for the Private Lands and Public Hunting Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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

In a state where more than ninety percent of the land is privately owned or managed, it’s essential to recognize and honor the work of private landowners for their achievements in habitat management and wildlife conservation. In Texas we present them with Lone Star Land Steward Awards.

We recognize up to ten winners in each of the eco-regions.

Linda Campbell is program director for private lands and public hunting.

We also recognize a corporate winner, one from our wildlife management associations, and this year we’re recognizing a special category for conservation development.

In partnership with the Sand County Foundation, http://www.sandcounty.net/, Texas Parks and Wildlife bestows the Leopold Conservation Award to an especially deserving land steward.

And, so we have partnered with them to provide the Leopold Conservation Award in Texas to our overall statewide winner. The Leopold Conservation Award is really our highest recognition in Lone Star Land Steward.

Eco-region award recipients and the wildlife management association recipient receive $1,000 from the Foundation; while the Leopold Conservation Award recipient receives $10,000 and the Leopold crystal award.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program… providing funding for the Private Lands and Public Hunting Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Lone Star Land Steward Awards Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Susan Schulte of Manchaca, Texas, grew up on a farm, and spent nearly every waking moment outdoors. When she had daughters of her own, Susan introduced them to the wonders of nature, and does the same for their children.

With my grandchildren, we love to go fishing.

Fishing is a simple and thrilling way to experience the outdoors.

They get so excited when they catch a little fish. And it may just be a little four-inch fish. But to them it’s a monster, you know.

Schulte says first-hand knowledge is priceless.

They realize the sliminess of the worms…and the wind…the waves….the water….they experience that first-hand and that makes an impact on them, as opposed to sitting quietly and passively in front of a screen.

And fishing is just the beginning. If you’re a grandparent, spending time in nature with your grandkids not only impacts their lives, but the lives of generations to come.

Because they’re involved, and it’s outdoors. I just see such a hope for our future, you know? They’re learning. They’re learning something that they will never be able to learn in an enclosed building.

All you have to do it step outside.

That’s our show for today…with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.

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

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

We’re on the threshold of summer, which means more Texans will be on the water…and they won’t be alone.

I‘m Sgt. Chopan with the police department with the Grand Prairie lake Patrol unit. I’m just wanting to check to make sure you have all your safety equipment on board. You have your life jacket?

Lake Police, like Sgt. Chris Chopan, and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens will be on the water, too.

Lake patrol is sometimes is good because the public likes to see you, whereas when I’m driving in a car they usually don’t want to see me.

Everyone aboard a boat must wear a life jacket.

Do you take the dog out often? Yeah, we’ve got three of them and they all have life vests. Sometimes, it’s amazing, you know, they’ll put life jackets on their dogs, but they won’t put life jackets on their kids.

Even people in the water need to think safety first.

Not safe for you to be here, No good. No bueno. Too many boats. Twenty-four feet of water, no life jacket, inflatable swim ring, and we wonder why we have to come pick them up later. I’m almost tempted to pick him up and get him out of there – what do you think? This is not illegal probably, but it sure is dumb.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof. Play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun. Visit passporttotexas.org to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program..funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Boater Safety: Lake Patrol Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

It’s illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; the consequences of doing so can be devastating. Just ask Kay Rock.

At three o’clock in the morning, my husband and I were awakened by a policeman and a chaplain knocking at our front door. As soon as I saw them, I knew it was something bad. And the only question I had was, which child is it?

The accident happened several years ago, when the boat carrying Kay Rock’s 22 year old daughter was struck from behind. The driver of the other boat had been drinking at a lakeside bar…and in an instant, Debbie Rock’s name joined a growing list of boating fatalities.

And, I’m sorry, but this is kind of a hard part. Is that Debbie was not just a number on a court docket; and she was not just a number on the coroner’s report. She was a real, real person. And she had a lot to give. And that is one of the reasons that I want to stress the fact that bad things happen to really great people, and they don’t have to.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof. Play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun. Visit passporttotexas.org to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Boating Safety: A Mother's Story Play Now | Play in Popup | Download