Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

There’s something new and different at Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo this year, and it’s called geocaching.

Geocaching is a fun, fun, family activity that gets moms, dads and kids, and whoever else, into the outdoors, to try to find a prize. The prize has been put there by other geocahers; you use a GPS unit, and wander around and try to find out where they prize is hidden.

Expo Director, Ernie Gammage.

At Expo, we’ll have a new geocaching activity that will actually train people on how to geocache; and we’ll have GPS units for those who don’t have their own, so you can actually try it out, and yes, we will have prizes stashed around Expo.

This activity is in keeping with the agency’s mission.

Because it’s a reason for people to go into our state parks. There is probably no better place to experience the variety, the topography, the flora, the fauna of Texas than in our state parks; and what a great place to geocache and see all of these wonders.

Expo is Saturday and Sunday, October sixth and seventh from nine to five…on the grounds of Parks and Wildlife HQ in Austin….and its free. Find links to more information when you log onto passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Learn more about Geocaching: http://www.texasgeocaching.com

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

When it’s so hot outside that you can fry an egg on the sidewalk, a lot of us wish for the life of a fish. We’d love to spend all day in the wet stuff. But a fish’s life is no walk in the water park.

When the water’s warmer it holds less oxygen.

Cindy Contreras is in Resource Protection at Texas Parks and Wildlife. She says fish are between a rock and a wet place in summer through early fall because as water that’s been heated loses oxygen; and as fish warm up they need more oxygen.

So it kind of creates a bind, or a squeeze on them, as the water holds less and less, but they continue to need it. Also other organisms in the water, like bacteria and insects, anything that’s living in there is going to be using that same oxygen.

Texas Parks and Wildlife stocks sport fish in reservoirs across the state. And according to Contreras summer heat causes the water in those basins to stratify.

The top layer is warmer and lighter, and rests upon a cooler, heavier layer of water. And typically the lower levels will not have very much oxygen or any oxygen.

And so the fish flounder in the warmer water… which is as good a reason as any to go fishing.

Take them out. Get them before they succumb.

Our show is made possible by 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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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

Texans love making the trek to Austin the first weekend in October for the annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo. This free annual event offers visitors a chance to experience a wide variety of outdoor activities, including fishing.

You know, fishing is one of those things that the whole family can enjoy. There are no winners; there are no losers. They call it fishin’, they don’t call it catchin’. And, it’s a lot of fun to do, and you can get the basics and also tips at Expo.

Expo Director, Ernie Gammage.

As far as learning more about how to fish, one of the highlights is the big bass tub, which is a “ginormous” aquarium full of real fish, with an expert angler on top, throwing his line and lure, and showing you how to work it.

Expo extends angling opportunities to children, too.

Well, the kids can actually catch a trout or a catfish, and if it’s their first fish, they’ll receive a “first fish certificate,” with a photograph of them holding their prize. Those are great, and my grandsons have got those on the wall.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo is from 9 to 5, Saturday and Sunday, October sixth and seventh on the grounds of Parks and Wildlife HQ in Austin….and its free. Find links to Expo at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration program… providing funding for the operations and management of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center.

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

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Next month Texas Parks and Wildlife headquarters in Austin will be transformed into an outdoor enthusiast’s playground during Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo.

Expo is a festival of the great outdoors. It’s a little bit of everything that you can do from fishing and shooting to camping, kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking…and it’s just a great, great family event.

Ernie Gammage, Expo Director.

Expo is held the first weekend in October, Saturday and Sunday – open nine to five – and it’s free.

Gammage recommends using Expo as a springboard to outdoor activities in Texas.

The idea is to come to Expo and find your passion. What are those things that really seem to be fun to you? And then go out and explore them.

And there’s plenty to explore at Expo.

Lots of new, fun activities at Expo this year, including: geocahing…a family camping demo site….there’s some information about invasive species, which is a growing problem in the state of Texas. And country star, Kevin Fowler, will be visiting with us on Sunday.

When you visit Expo you can also enjoy Sea World’s Amazing Animals, the Birds of Prey show, and activities for the entire family; remember, getting children outdoors is one of the most important things we can do for them.

Find links Expo information at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Find out more about Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo when you click here.

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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

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