Passport to Texas

Cool clear waters at Garner State Park.

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This is Passport to Texas

The cold, crystal waters of the Frio River that flow through Garner State Park in Uvalde County, have attracted people since prehistoric times.

 That is some of the best water in the state, I would say.

The water attracts them, but the bounty, beauty and relaxed vibe keeps them coming back. Melissa Gaskill is a freelance writer living in Austin; she wrote about this 75-year-old park for the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Garner has special meaning to many Texans, including Gaskill.

 I love it. I think, to me, it’s just kind of a heritage. A piece of Texas that’s been special to me since I was little. Special to my parents. Now it’s special to my children. And I hope one of these days—not in the too distant future—my grandchildren.

Vintage structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps dot the landscape, and in summer the pavilion—with its jukebox filled with diverse musical offerings—swarms with activity.

Yeah. That’s the first place I ever got asked to dance—the Garner Pavilion. I danced with my kids there when they were little. I see other people dancing with their children and grandchildren there. The Pavilion is a very special place.

Read Melissa Gaskill’s story about Garner State Park in the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine.

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

Fireworks over San Jacinto Monument

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This is Passport to Texas

The July Fourth weekend is upon us, and with it comes fireworks.

Yet when celebrating our nation’s birthday at Texas state parks: bring the barbeque, watermelon and the outdoor games…but leave the fireworks at home. Sorry folks.

It is a Class C misdemeanor to possess fireworks in State Parks. Now, we’re really not trying to put a damper on your Independence Day fun, it’s just that parks are no place for things that explode. And the only things that should be sparkling at night are the stars above.

Within the state park system we have a variety of wildlife and plant life… and despite the rains we’ve had this spring…devastating wildfires can flare up with a single runaway spark and destroy it all.

Moreover, many visitors choose a state park setting to get away from the hustle and bustle of a city soundscape. And they cannot abide the big booms and rat-a-tat-tat of these holiday explosives. And we want everyone to enjoy themselves in state parks.

And if you enjoy fireworks, some State Parks do facilitate public pyrotechnic displays. And you can find out which ones will be whooping it up this July Fourth weekend when you log onto the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

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

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Texas Game Wardens always hone their skills; and in a segment airing the week of July 3, the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS takes you on their HUET training.

H-U-E-T. Stands for Helicopter Underwater Egress Training.

Producer, Bruce Biermann, says game wardens are not immune to the dangerous situations in which they often find themselves.

Our game wardens get into a lot of precarious situations whenever there’s flooding and they have to go out and rescue people. And part of their training is what to do if they, themselves, get in trouble. For example, the helicopter goes down over a body of water.

A controlled pool environment at NASA was the site of the training. Using multiple GoPro cameras, Biermann takes viewers into the helicopter-like structure, and under water with the game wardens.

I think I had six tiny little cameras on the game wardens’ helmets, all over the inside, on the outside. So, it really gave the viewer the effect of being in the water with them. So, when the unit flips upside down, you’re going upside down through the water with them. The audio…where it sounds like you’re above the water, and then gurgle…gurgle…when it goes underneath… So, it really takes the viewer deeper into what the game wardens are feeling when they’re training.

View this segment on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV show the week of July 3. Check your local listings.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation supports our series and helps keep Texas wild with the support of proud members across the state. Find out more at tpwf.org.

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

Keep unloaded firearms locked in a gun safe, separate from ammunition.

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This is Passport to Texas

If you own a firearm, you owe it your family and your community to keep it stored properly when not in use.

All firearms in the home should be locked, and separate from the ammunition; [the ammunition] preferably in a locked location as well.

Steve Hall, hunter education coordinator at Texas Parks and Wildlife, also says when not in use, always keep firearms unloaded.

 And so, [we want to] make sure that kids don’t do like we did when we were kids: “Oh, what’s this? Let’s load that, and let’s put this in there…” [These are] the kinds of things that you don’t want kids doing with firearms that lead to accidents.

Curious children have unintentionally harmed themselves and others with firearms supposedly “hidden” in dresser drawers, garages, under beds, and top shelves of closets.

The good news is, that because of hunter education and because of all the firearm safety taught by organizations like the NRA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, accidents in the home have gone down. And so, there’s a safety record that’s a lot better than it was in the 60s and 70s; but still, one accident is too many. So, we’re trying to promote safety at all cost.

Owning a firearm is a full time responsibility. Always lock it up. Find more firearm safety tips and hunter education classes when you log onto the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

The Wildlife Restoration program supports our series and supports shooting sports and hunter education in Texas.

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

Image courtesy http://www.star-telegram.com.

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This is Passport to Texas

Apply sunscreen this summer, and while you’re at it, apply products with DEET or essential oils that repel Aedes aegypti, a mosquito, suspected of spreading Zika virus.

It’s an introduced species, and it is most common around the eastern half of Texas.

Austin-based entomologist, Mike Quinn, says one way to lessen exposure to Aedes aegypti is based on the time of day you’re out and about.

The Aedes aegypti is a day biting insect, so it’s a little different [than other mosquitoes].

While reports of the virus in the US are travel related, pregnant women are encouraged to use caution, as zika has been linked to neurological issues in newborns. Quinn says the insects breed in standing water.

The Aedis isn’t a long distance flyer. So, controlling breeding sites on our property can be a very effective way to reduce the mosquito. And, it’s what we call a container breeding mosquito. And it’s in pots and barrels and toys and bottles; it can breed in a very small amount of water—a tablespoon or less even. But, it takes about a week under optimal conditions to go from egg to adult. So, doing a weekly cleanup of property—checking for water sources; changing out the birdbath water on a weekly basis is a good way to keep the population down locally.

Find links to more information about Aedes aegypti and the zika virus on the passport to Texas website.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation supports our series and helps keep Texas wild with the support of proud members across the state. Find out more at tpwf.org.

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