Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

In June, the Texas Archaeological Society (TAS) offers a Field School where folks dig in the dirt to explore our state’s history. Bryan Jameson is Field School Committee Chairman.

I have people who come up to me and I’ll mention archeology and they think of dinosaurs, and archeology obviously is the study of the people of the past. That’s why archeology sites are so important.

The 2007 Field School takes place in Menard, and celebrates the historic site of Presidio San Saba.

This year represents the 250th anniversary of Presidio San Saba. We’re going to do some excavations at the Presidio with the intent of hoping to define more of the architecture, features that we may find to help us figure out what the daily life of these people in an 18th century post would have been like.

TAS promotes the importance of archeology with hands-on activities and education during the summer event.

We’re trying to educate everyone as much as we can as to the importance of archeology and this is one way to accomplish that. Archeology sites are a very limited resource. So, hopefully by people coming and attending and being part of it, they realize exactly what we are trying to say to them. Preservation of our history can only be accomplished by these means.

Field School is June 9th through 16th. Register online at www.txarch.org…. the deadline is May 31st.

Tomorrow, getting kids involved in archeology.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

This weekend, explore bats, bugs, birds, and more during guided field trips and workshops at WildFest San Antonio.

WildFest San Antonio is going to be San Antonio’s first birding and nature festival, and we’re going to have over seventy different programs going on all weekend long at about twenty-five different locations spread out through Bexar county.

Gail Dugelby, a Nature Preserve Officer for Medina River Natural Area, says the Alamo City is an ideal location for the fest because it’s a crossroads.

Just in Bexar county alone we have 4 different eco-regions converging all on itself. So, when we say that we’re a crossroads, we get to be a crossroads of culture, as well as a crossroads of ecosystems. We’ve got this abundance of diversity.

WildFest offers participants a chance to enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the area.

Our goal is to educate the residents and the visitors about the unique natural and historical environments and increase the awareness of nature in and around San Antonio.

WildFest is May 4th through 6th throughout San Antonio. Most tours are limited to 15 to 20 people, and charge a fee. Other events are free. Visit www.wildfestsanantonio.com for complete details.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texans don’t need much encouragement to kick up their heels and celebrate. And this Saturday, several state parks celebrate May Day and Cinco de Mayo.

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site is a stately, one hundred thirty year old manor, that faces Aransas Bay. And Saturday, May fifth, this jewel of the Gulf Coast Region celebrates spring, with May Day festivities. If you’re so inclined, go ahead and show off the moves you’ve learn on “Dancing with the Stars” when you trip the light fantastic around the maypole. Or play period games with the kiddos, enjoy old-fashioned pie-eating contests and create beautiful flower crafts. There’s live music, a petting zoo…from 10 to 4 pm.

Not to be outdone, Sebastopol House State Historic Site in Seguin, located in the Prairies and Lakes Region of the state, offers it’s version of May Day festivities. It is a free family event packed with music, a maypole dance, demonstrations, a climbing wall, games, free kid’s prizes and much more! Families are invited to come enjoy time together at this historic setting from 11 to 4.

Cinco de Mayo marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. And on Saturday, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, offers family activities with a Hispanic theme including games, dancing, music and food, from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Reduced admission for adults, and free for kids under 12 years.

For entrance fees and directions to these events, go to the Texas Parks & Wildlife website.

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

How many times have you thumbed through a Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine in a waiting room or at a friend’s home, and thought: I’d love to have this delivered to my home? That can be arranged. Plus, everyone who subscribes now is automatically entered to into a
drawing…

…to win a thousand dollar Academy Sports and Outdoors gift card. Which they can then go and select whatever outdoor gear they want, and hopefully get out and enjoy themselves this summer.

Darcy Bontempo is Director of Marketing at Texas Parks and Wildlife. The magazine offers readers plenty of inspiration to learn about and play in the outdoors.

There are going to be some really special stories to focus on. In May, which is the birding issue, we’re going to have a story about Hawk Man; a very interesting character that’s well worth learning about.

June is the coastal fishing issue, and there’s a wonderful story on kayak fishing, as well as one on river rats – people that really know how to fish Texas rivers. And then in July, we move to lakes. And that’s the state of lakes.

This issue will give our readers insights into the life cycle of lakes, as well as some fascinating stories. So, there are all kinds of things you’d never know if you didn’t read Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

No purchase is necessary, but everyone who subscribes to the magazine by July 31st is automatically entered. Find a link to the complete rules and information on how to enter the drawing 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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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration Program

A day of fishing is one of the simplest, most relaxing, and inexpensive outings you and your family can experience together. If your family’s never gone fishing before… and think it’s something you’d like to try…or if you used to fish, but haven’t been in a long time… and want to brush up on your knowledge…Texas Parks and Wildlife offers free fishing clinics at state parks during the Family Fishing Celebration.

It’s just been a wonderful program around all of these different state parks that are participating in our family fishing celebration. It’s been a wonderful experience for everyone.

Ann Miller, who oversees angler education, says the kiddos will find the clinics especially appealing because of added incentives.

They can win a first fish award if they are catching their first fish. Many of them will receive learning materials, such a fish identification cards. They might also even get a chance to win some pretty nice door prizes by becoming involved in these clinics. So, they’re a lot of fun. Kids will have a great time. They’ll come with probably some fishing gear to get themselves started with, too.

Visit passporttotexas.org for a list of fishing clinics around the state.

That’s our show…sponsored by the Sport Fish Restoration Program… funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuels…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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