Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Fragmentation of old growth forests in the southeastern US and Texas, prime ivory billed woodpecker habitat, may have contributed to the species’ “extinction.” Yet, reports in 2005 said that after nearly 60 years in oblivion, the woodpecker had been rediscovered in Arkansas.

We’ve been getting a lot of calls since that announcement in oh-five, from people in east Texas that are wondering why there’s all this hoopla over ivory bills, because they’ve had them in their yard for years.

Cliff Shackelford is a non-game ornithologist with Parks and Wildlife. While the ivory billed woodpecker is the largest woodpecker north of Mexico…

We didn’t do a very good job telling people there are two big woodpeckers. And the other one is a common bird in the eastern third of Texas, and that is the pileated Woodpecker.

That’s the bird people have spotted, said Shackleford. It’s an easy mistake to make, too, as the woodpeckers are similar in size and appearance.

They’re black, white and they have some red on them. But the big difference between the two, when they’re perched on the tree, the ivory billed has a white backpack. So, the folded wings give it the look like it’s carrying a white backpack. Whereas in the pileated, there’s no white. It’s just continuously dark on the back.

Log onto passporttotexas.org for links to more information about the ivory billed woodpecker, and what to do if you think you’ve seen one.

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

Woodpeckers: Pileated Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Back in April 2005 a national announcement proclaimed the Ivory-billed woodpecker, considered extinct, had been re-discovered in an area in Arkansas known as the Big Woods.

And it was definitely the most exciting news that anyone can remember in the birding circles.

Cliff Shackelford is a non-game ornithologist with Parks and Wildlife.

There have been a lot of skeptics that have seen the documentation – it’s a little fuzzy – but there have been lots of people going back to the site, and have had glimpses. But no one’s been able to secure that really golden shot of the bird.

A team from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ivory-Billed Woodpecker research project has a team on the ground in Arkansas looking for this elusive bird.

The exciting thing is that this bird possibly has survived after sixty years of not being detected in the US; and the last sighting of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker in Texas was in November 1904. So, it’s been a long time since that bird has been in Texas. It occurred in the eastern third of the state, roughly, in mature river-bottom habitat.

Many east Texans claim to have seen Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers, but tomorrow we discuss a case of mistaken identity.

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

Woodpeckers: Ivory Billed Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Today, the word chat is synonymous with online instant messaging. But when you ask David Todd what chat means to him, he’ll tell you:

Conservation History Association of Texas.

Todd coordinates this Austin-based non-profit, the purpose of which is two-fold.

One is to compile stories from individual conservationists, environmentalists, around the state and document their lives, and try to give them a little bit of the recognition we feel they’re due for their many different contributions. The other side of it is more one of education.

Visit the organization’s website texaslegacy.org and learn of statewide conservation efforts.

We have about 400 hours of interview taped with about 190 conservationists. The neat thing about it is that there is a huge diversity, a great breadth of conservationists. Some are rich, some are poor, some are well educated, and some not so. Great diversity of kinds of work. But the common denominator amongst all these people is… They’ve got an ethic. They’ve got an interest in stewardship. An interest in continuity and what their grandchildren may inherit.

There’s more information at passporttotexas.org.

Our show’s receives support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…working to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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When you visit www.texaslegacy.org you will be able to:

• Learn about the narrators
• View a timeline of environmental history
• Choose a region to explore
• Search a database about conservation
• Watch videos about conservation topics
• Use the curriculum for your class
• Find out about the project partners

Conservation History Association of Texas Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Wetlands are an integral part of the natural water system of Texas, and only sustainable when viewed as a whole in which all of the parts are preserved and protected. This thinking is the inspiration behind a new general wetland walk podcast for Texas, and a site specific podcast about the Spring Lake wetlands at Aquarena Center in San Marcos.

Well, it’s a really unique ecosystem because it’s home to five and maybe six endangered species. They’ve just recently discovered the Comal Riffle Beetle in Spring Lake. And so it’s critical habitat; and it’s protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. And, recreational activities are prohibited in Spring lake. And that does make it a really special place.

Lisa Korth is education coordinator for the Freshwater Resources program in San Marcos. The podcast is a collaborative effort between Parks and Wildlife, Texas State University-San Marcos and Texas Watch.

TPWD [Texas parks and Wildlife] has a framework for interpretation that starts with experience. And it leads to awareness, understanding, caring about and caring for, and ultimately leading to stewardship. So, by creating that first step – that outdoor experience – we are hopefully creating stewards for our natural resources for future generations.

The wetland walk podcast is available for download at passporttotexas.org. Find it under web exclusives.

That’s our show for today… we receive support from the Wildlife Restoration program…providing funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement Program.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Wetlands Walk -- Endangered Species Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Texas Parks and Wildlife, in conjunction with Texas State University-San Marcos and Texas Watch, developed a podcast that takes listeners on a wetland walking tour.

Well, we created a Texas wetlands podcast. And then we also have another version that’s site specific for the Aquarena wetlands, which are at Spring Lake in San Marcos.

Lisa Korth is education coordinator for the Freshwater Resources program in San Marcos.

Wetlands are an integral part of the natural water system of Texas. Because it’s really only sustainable if we view it as a whole in which all of the parts are preserved and protected. And that was a real inspiration to create this podcast.

Korth says she believes the wetlands walk podcast will help to create a more enriching outdoor experience for those who take part.

At Texas Parks and Wildlife we think life is better outside. And so, we’re trying to come up with as many outreach opportunities as we can to get people outside, and this is a great way for someone to go to a wetland and have something that they can take with them on their mp3 player, or their phone, to learn about the importance of wetlands as a natural resource.

More on wetlands and where to download the podcast on tomorrow’s show.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Wildlife Restoration program…providing funding for wetland conservation through the Private Lands Enhancement
Program

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti
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Texas Treasures: Wetlands [You will need Adobe Reader]

Wetlands Walk Podcast Play Now | Play in Popup | Download