Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Most Texans live within ninety minutes of a state park… and many state parks offer holiday events to get you in the spirit of the season.

Throughout the month, Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site, in Central Texas, invites visitors to walk a glittery quarter mile long trail of lights that overlooks the quaint town of La Grange. Get a sense of how German settlers in the area celebrated the holiday in the 1850s. Admission is $3 for adults and a dollar for children.

On December 15, celebrate the “nature” of the season at Sheldon Lake State Park in the Gulf Coast region. Kids of all ages get a chance to create wildlife-inspired ornaments to take home, or to use as decorations on trees at the site.

A trip to the Hill country on December 16 is in order for the annual tree lighting ceremony at LBJ State Park and Historic site…an event started 38 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson…and made more poignant with the passing of Lady Bird Johnson earlier this year. It’s a step back in time, and it’s free.

Finally, on December 21, a visit to Government Canyon State Natural Area will put you in touch with how Native Americans celebrated special occasions. This is part one of a three-part series.

Find complete details about these and other holiday events when you visit our website passporttotexas.org.

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

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Looking for something fun to do with your family this holiday season that gets you out of the mall and into the wild? Texas State parks may have the answer.

On December 15th, Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is hosting a Holiday Celebration. At 2 pm, the park will be holding it’s annual Gingerbread House Design and Construction Marathon followed by a holiday sing-a-long with a live band concert.

If you’re in West Texas, the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center is hosting Christmas on the Border on the 17th. The season will be celebrated in true border fashion with local community performers providing entertainment. Treats will be served and Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance.

Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site and the Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway in North Texas is featuring a visit with Saint Nick on the 22nd. Visitors are invited to go back in time and see what Jolly Old Saint Nick was like in the 1870’s.

Battle Ship Texas State Historic Site, on the Gulf Coast presents Santa Swingin’ 40’s Christmas on the 22nd. Santa is on board for the occasions along with swing dancers, who will perform live.

You can find more information about these and other holiday events happening in state parks this holiday season at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Kate Lipinski… 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

The population of southern flounder in the gulf is…well… floundering.

The populations are down in the bay systems across the board for the southern flounder.

Robert Adami coordinates Coastal Bay Team fishing events, where two-person teams of experienced anglers, catch specific species for the hatchery program. In spring, teams reel in spotted sea trout, and in fall, southern flounder.

Sometimes the more experienced anglers can go out to the spots they know are good gathering spots for southern flounder. Usually those guys can get the fish and bring them to us rather quickly. They also know how to handle the fish in terms of care, transportation and trying to get them to us in the best possible health.

Participation is free. Adami says almost as soon as anglers catch them – the flounder start their new lives.

Immediately we’re going to be putting them right into spawning tanks in Sea Center Texas and in Corpus Christi to be used, hopefully, for next year’s spawning program.

Saturday morning Froggy’s Bait Doc in Port O’Conner is the staging area for the event, and next Saturday, Boyd’s One-Stop in Texas City closes this year’s Coastal Bay Team opportunities.

Find full details – including the prizes for participating anglers — at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…which provides funding for Sea Center Texas… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Coastal Fisheries Bay Team Fishing Tournament — Experienced anglers are invited to help us collect southern flounder for our hatcheries. Tournament is open to 30 two-person teams, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

All entrants must be 21 or older.

Participants may turn in up to three fish. Anglers turning in fish will be entered in three different drawings for fishing gear. Participants not turning in fish will be entered in a separate drawing for fishing prizes.

All participants will receive a shirt and cap.

The prizes, equipment and program are made possible through support from Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Held at Froggies Bait Doc in Port O’Conner on November 3rd, and at Boyd’s One- Stop in Texas City on November 10th; register at the tournament.

For more information, or if you want to become a member of the Coastal Fisheries Bay Team, send an e-mail to Robert Adami at robert.adami at tpwd.state.tx.us with your name, address and daytime phone number and which tournament you can fish or call him at (361) 939-8745.

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The first time I saw Caprock Canyons State Park I did so from overhead, viewing the…then…14-thousand acre site from inside the cabin of a twin engine plane operated by Parks and Wildlife. The year was 1985; I was a fledgling producer working in public radio, and I was awe-struck.

More than twenty years later, Caprock Canyons SP still inspires awe, and offers even more outdoor opportunities with the addition in 1992 of a 64-mile trailway…bringing the park’s size to nearly 15-thousand acres.

Deanna Oberheu, park superintendent, says on October 20th the park will celebrate its 25th anniversary and the grand opening of a one million dollar visitor’s center.

The new visitor’s center is a brand new facility; it’s over four-thousand square feet. It will have a lot of exhibit space for us to be able to tell the story about Caprock Canyons.

Exhibits won’t be in until spring, but once they are…

The exhibits are going to have to do with the Caprock Canyons Trailway, which visitors don’t get to see a lot of, the Texas State Bison herd, which is housed here at Caprock Canyons SP, and other interesting things about the people and the geology about the canyons.

Visitors may also access a platform adjacent to the new center, overlooking the Texas State Bison Herd pasture.

Find links to information about the celebration and grand opening at passorttotexas.org. That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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October 20, 2007 — Caprock Canyons SP & Trailway — Visitor’s Center Grand Opening — The opening will be held in conjunction with the park’s 25th anniversary celebration. Other special events will occur throughout the day and park entrance fees will be waived. Call for more information (806) 455-1492.

Caprock Canyons State Park & Visitor Center Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The first time I saw Caprock Canyons State Park I did so from overhead, viewing the…then…14-thousand acre site from inside the cabin of a twin engine plane operated by Parks and Wildlife. The year was 1985; I was a fledgling producer working in public radio, and I was awe-struck.

More than twenty years later, Caprock Canyons SP still inspires awe, and offers even more outdoor opportunities with the addition in 1992 of a 64-mile trailway…bringing the park’s size to nearly 15-thousand acres.

Deanna Oberheu, park superintendent, says on October 20th the park will celebrate its 25th anniversary and the grand opening of a one million dollar visitor’s center.

The new visitor’s center is a brand new facility; it’s over four-thousand square feet. It will have a lot of exhibit space for us to be able to tell the story about Caprock Canyons.

Exhibits won’t be in until spring, but once they are…

The exhibits are going to have to do with the Caprock Canyons Trailway, which visitors don’t get to see a lot of, the Texas State Bison herd, which is housed here at Caprock Canyons SP, and other interesting things about the people and the geology about the canyons.

Visitors may also access a platform adjacent to the new center, overlooking the Texas State Bison Herd pasture.

Find links to information about the celebration and grand opening at passorttotexas.org. That’s our show for today… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
__________________________________________________________________

October 20, 2007 — Caprock Canyons SP & Trailway — Visitor’s Center Grand Opening — The opening will be held in conjunction with the park’s 25th anniversary celebration. Other special events will occur throughout the day and park entrance fees will be waived. Call for more information (806) 455-1492.

Caprock Canyons State Park & Visitor Center Play Now | Play in Popup | Download