Passport to Texas

Summer Tanager

Birding: Making Backyard Birds Count Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Great Backyard Bird Count provides citizens a chance to collect data to help researchers understand birds.

15—You’re basically counting all the birds you see at that spot on the planet; and the best part is it’s in your backyard. You’re starting to really pay attention to what birds are there in the wintertime. And, it’s just a lot of fun – it’s a learning experience for everybody.

TPW ornithologist, Cliff Shackelford, says the count, February 13 through 16, is like a snapshot of bird life.

08—You’re counting both the number of species and the number of individuals per species. So, you’re getting two different numbers. Both kinds of information are very valuable.

Register at birdcount.org or ebird.org. It’s free. Cliff suggests doing your “homework” before getting started.

20—Crack your field guide open and start learning what species are even possible for your area – which ones would be in big numbers and which ones might be something rarer that you would want to get a photograph of. So, if you had, say, a Rufus hummingbird in February that might be something you might want to get a picture of just in case.

By participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count, and sharing your observations, you help expand the knowledge base of all… in the fascinating world of birds.

That’s our show… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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

Getting kids outside.

Event: Children in Nature Conference Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ryan Spenser, manager of the Children and Nature Collaborative in Austin, says the outdoors is transformative.

12— Nature changes lives; I’ve seen it firsthand. And the outdoors provides a perfect opportunity to engage; it gets kids active – mentally and physically. It recharges them emotionally. It brings families together.

And April 7 through 9 the Children and Nature Network Conference takes place at the Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, Texas.

20— Teachers can take a lot of wonderful things away from this conference; great lessons for inside the classroom and outside the classroom. Parents can learn a lot about how to get their children outside. And folks who work in the conservation field – folks who try to get more people outside – can take a lot away from it as well. The latest trends and opportunities and tools to help reconnect people to nature.

Join leaders from around the world to hear what others are doing to create nature-rich communities. Richard Louv, father of the children and nature movement, will be there.

13— After writing both The last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, he’s set the tone for the past 10 years as to how this movement is going forward. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun, and a great opportunity to see what the future holds for children and nature.

Registration is open and filling fast. Find registration information at passporttotexas.org.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series.

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

Using GPS technology to enjoy the outdoors.

Technology: Tech and Nature Summit Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For years, outdoor educators have condemned technology for the growing disconnect between children and nature. But, technology isn’t going away; so, they’re finding ways to embrace the pods the pads and the phones to get kids interested in the outdoors. In recognition of this, the first day of the Children & Nature conference this April is a Technology & Nature Summit.

11— Our kids are becoming more and more tech savvy, and it’s part of their interests. And so, as we try to get more kids outside, we’ve found technology has become a helpful resource.

Ryan Spencer manages the Children and Nature Collaborative in Austin, and says the summit will cover a lot of ground.

20— We’re going to be talking about technology and its role in reconnecting children to the outdoors. We’re going to be talking about action steps that participants at the conference can take to help get more kids outside in their own communities. And, we’re going to come together and take a look at what the role technology has – what role can it play – in reconnecting kids to the outdoors.

The Children in Nature Conference is April 7 through 9 at the Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop, Texas. Find additional information at passporttotexas.org.

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

Women on the water at a BOW Workshop.

Becoming and Outdoor Woman Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

The popular Becoming and Outdoors Woman Program from Parks and Wildlife offers weekend workshops to help women 18 years and older to develop or hone their outdoor skills.

05—The fall workshop – when registration opened – it filled up within ten days.

Heidi Rao coordinates the program and says the next workshop is April 10 through 12 in Palacios. Trained staff guides participants through a variety of activities.

17—A third of the activities that we offer are hunting and shooting and wildlife based learning. A third of the activities are fishing and boating and water based activities. And the final third of the activities are the non-consumptive such as bird-watching, astronomy, camping and backpacking.

Attendees choose activities in which to participate. Heidi adds it is a safe, supportive environment where women engage the natural world. And if the April Becoming an Outdoor Woman Workshop interests you, better contact Heidi soon.

08—From the people that could not make it into the fall workshop, we already have a waiting list growing by the day to get into the event.

So what makes this such a popular program?

02—It’s fun. It’s absolutely fun.

Find information about Becoming an Outdoor Woman on the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series, and receives funding from your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motor boat fuel… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Hiking in Big Bend

Recreation: Resolve to go on a First Day Hike Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Whether you make official New Year’s resolutions or not, it never hurts to have a plan going into the next 365 days. Kevin Good with state parks has a few suggestions for your consideration.

21—Get outdoors more and take advantage of all of the opportunities that we have in Texas: from paddling trails to hiking trails to nature viewing…. It’s too easy to get stuck in your routine and not take advantage of those opportunities. And I’d suggest that folks start of their New year with a First Day Hike.

First Day Hikes take place throughout Texas and the US. Visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website to find a First Day Hike opportunity near you.

35—First Day Hikes vary between sites, but typically, they are guided hikes led by a staff member or knowledgeable volunteer that will point out some of the best recreational aspects of a particular park. They may involve hand-on experiences, as well as educational activities along with the hikes. So, you’ll have folks not only to show you where to go and lead you on the trail, but also point out some of the topics of interest that you might see on that hike. It’s a great way to start off your new year with a healthy habit.

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