Passport to Texas

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

I met with Phil Durocher, Director of Inland Fisheries, on a day when a noisy construction crew was working outside his window. But the racket didn’t distract him from the topic of our interview – fishing in Texas.

Fishing is big business in Texas. And on the freshwater side alone, it’s estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of about a four billion dollar a year industry.

One fish that draws anglers to Texas from across the country is the large-mouthed bass.

The bass are the number one fish in fresh water. It’s estimated that over half of all the fishermen in Texas fish solely for bass. It’s a big part of our business, and it’s the most popular fish in the united states.

And Durocher isn’t shy when it comes to sharing what he’d like to see for bass angling in Texas.

It is big business, and we’d like to get all of it in Texas if we could.

He may get his wish after the first annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic takes place at Lake Fork next month.

It’s going to be a one million dollar tournament. I don’t know what they purse is going to be for individuals, but the total package is one million dollars.

We’ll learn about the tournament on tomorrow’s show.

We’ve been working with them and have developed a format where they’re going to actually weigh the fish on the boats as they catch them, and release them on the spot.

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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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

This month the Barrington Living History Farm at Washington-on-the-Brazos honors 19th Century women with the interactive event “True Texas Women.”

We feel that Texas women were the backbone of the New Republic of Texas. Their stories are not told. You know, the men get the credit- they were the soldiers, the politicians and all. We think that there’s truth that the women kept the home fires burning.

Janice Campbell is a Domestic Interpreter. Visitors will get a hands-on opportunity to learn popular 1800s women’s crafts, and social customs.

Last year, we had an activity that we called “charm strings,” and all this is, is stringing buttons on pieces of thread. Women were doing this in the mid-19th century. It was almost as young boys collecting baseball trading cards today; women were collecting and trading buttons.

True Texas Women allows younger generations to appreciate women who made contributions to our state.

What we’ve seen happen over the years, not only adult women coming and enjoying this event, but we’ve seen groups of young girls. And we want those girls to understand we have a rich woman’s history here in Texas and it’s going to be up to them to carry this on.

True Texas Women is Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25th.

That’s our show …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

March second marks 171 years of Texas Independence. To celebrate… the birthplace of Texas — Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site – has festivities planned for the entire family this weekend.

We transform the park back into the early 1800s. We have costumed performers and interpreters walking around. Folks actually feel as though they’re back in the 1800s.

Beth Taylor, Executive Director of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association, describes the site.

It is a 293 acre site, which encompasses Independence Hall, which is a replica of the original building, which was destroyed by fire. We also have The Star of the Republic Museum. This is the only museum dedicated to the Republic period of Texas.

Students who visit will discover a very familiar painting in the Star of the Republic Museum.

This appears in 95% of the textbooks that 4th and 7th grader read. It is the signing of the Texas Declaration. It’s really neat to hear these kids say “Hey Mom, that’s in my textbook!” And they get to see how big and how beautiful and bold that painting really is.

The Texas Independence Celebration is March 3rd and 4th from 10 until 5 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site in Washington, Texas. Entrance fees for the weekend will be waived.

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 observe the 171st anniversary of Texas Independence at the “Birthplace of Texas” Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site.

Washington, Texas, is the birthplace of Texas. It is where Texas independence was declared. The “Declaration of Independence” was drafted in just one day and it was signed unanimously on March 2nd, 1836.

Beth Taylor is Executive Director of Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association.

What we do during that celebration each year is we transform the park back into the early 1800s, specifically the Republic period, which is 1836-1845. We have costumed performers and interpreters walking around. Folks actually feel as though they’re back in the 1800s.

Visit this Sunday and you’ll have your cake and eat it, too!

The highlight of the weekend celebration will be Sunday at 2pm- there will be an interactive ceremony. This event will be hosted by “The Eyes of Texas” Ron Stone. This ceremony will conclude with Texas’ largest birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.

The Texas Independence Day Celebration is March 3rd and 4th from 10AM until 5PM. All entrance fees for the weekend have been waived. Find details at www.birthplaceoftexas.com .

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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