Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas with support from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

Habitat protection and hunting restrictions (in place since the early 20th Century) saved the last wild migratory flock of whooping cranes from extinction.

06— Our whooping crane population in Texas is getting larger. We’re approaching about 300 birds in that population now.

That’s up from a low of 16 birds. Lee Ann Linam, a biologist in the Wildlife Diversity Program, says last year a few whoopers wintered farther inland than usual. To better understand this event, Texas Parks and Wildlife created a new monitoring program called Whooper Watch.

18–If we have whooping cranes that linger either in migration or in some of these non-traditional wintering areas, then we are training volunteers at workshops to go out and to observe those cranes in a way that’s not disturbing to the cranes, but would let them gather some data for us about the habitats they’re using and their behavior in those habitats.

Anyone can and should report a whooper sighting to Texas Parks and Wildlife, but if you want to go deeper, Lee Ann Linam recommends taking the training.

18– We’re using methods that are used by animal behaviorists – especially those who study cranes around the world. So our volunteers are learning some of the real techniques that biologists use. But anybody who enjoys watching wildlife and is a good observer, can learn from us how to gather this data in a way that is really useful to us.

Find information on Whooper Watch at the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

The WSFR program supports our series and funds diverse conservation programs throughout Texas.

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

Passport to Texas with support from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program

Texas has long been home to the last wild migratory flock of whooping cranes in the world.

05— And so we know that in Texas. And we enjoy seeing them and waiting for their arrival in the fall.

Lee Ann Linam is a biologist in the Wildlife Diversity program, and oversees the Nature Tracker program –which now includes Whooper Watch.

20–One of the interesting things that’s developing…as the whooping crane population expands… we’re seeing whooping cranes use new areas. Both in migration and in their wintering areas. And so, last year, when several whooping crane families spent the winter in the Austin area, we decided we wanted to be ready to watch for whoopers that might be using habitats like that and learn more about them.

Traditional Texas wintering grounds for the endangered species is the central-coast, around the Rockport area and in the vicinity of Aransas National Wildlife refuge. So, finding them so far inland last year was unusual.

20– Our whooping crane population in Texas is getting larger. We’re approaching about 300 birds in that population now. And as they try to squeeze themselves into their traditional wintering territories, perhaps they’re encountering some crowding there. In addition, last winter was a very mild winter, so inland water bodies that might have normally frozen early in the winter did not.

Linam also notes that habitat conditions on the coast last year may have suffered due to the drought. We’ll have information on Whooper Watch tomorrow.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series and funds diverse conservation programs throughout Texas.

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

This is Passport to Texas

We live in an age where nearly everyone has access to more than one kind of electronic media device.

02— Which, personally, I’m not against.
What writer, photographer and former Ag teacher, Russell Graves, does take exception to is the amount of time children and families spend indoors using those gadgets.

07 –You know, I think a lot of my attitude comes from the way I was raised. When I was growing up, I was continually outside, and it just seemed like the natural place to be.
Studies suggest children who spend time outdoors are healthier, happier and more focused in the classroom. Parents can help their children develop an affinity for nature by starting small…such as by growing a flower garden, or going on hikes in State parks with the goal of spotting specific animals or plants.

06 – Getting them to the point where the kids are motivated so they want to go outside and play on their own, without their parents having to push them outside.
Graves, a former award winning public school teacher, says schools have a role to play when it comes to reconnecting young people with nature.

08 – School can provide a way for kids to learn about the outdoors, and become involved in camping or hiking or photography or any number of outdoor activities.
Russell Graves wrote an article for the January issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine [called Dirty Nails and Goat Slobber] that outlines simple steps any adult can use to help children take back the outdoors. Because: Life’s Better Outside.

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

This is Passport to Texas

When given a choice, kids used to spend entire days in unstructured outdoor play. Not so today.

11— There was a study done that says kids spend an average of 5,000 hours by the time they reach kindergarten age being exposed to some sort of electronic media. That’s roughly the equivalent it takes to get a college degree.

That’s Russell Graves, professional writer, photographer and former Ag teacher. He cited that statistic in an article he wrote for the January 2013 issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Television, video games and other electronic devices compete for a child’s attention.

05 –At some point, kids need to have a love of the outdoors and a love a playing outdoors fostered in them.

And that’s where adults come in. We have to help children cultivate what’s already exists inside them. In his article, Russell Graves offers simple suggestions for parents to help their kids cultivate love of the outdoors and of discovery.

16 – One of the things we did when my kids were little is we would garden. Whether it was a vegetable garden or a flower garden – just get them out there in the dirt. Let them dig holes, and let them plant flowers. Because, then all of a sudden, they get involved with wanting to come home every day and check to see how their flower garden or their vegetables are doing.

And that leads to examining bugs, and reptiles and birds and before you know it – you have a nature lover on your hands.

We’ll have more with Russell Graves tomorrow. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

This is Passport to Texas

You’ve heard of walking your talk…we’ll here’s a chance to hike your resolutions. Nearly all of us vow to get healthier each New Year, and with First Day Hikes, you can put your plan into action. Our state park Guide Bryan Frasier has details.

51— It’s becoming quite the tradition. Last year was out first year to participate in Texas; it’s been going on for a number of years with different State Park Systems, and last year we had more than 11-hundred people turn out on New Year’s Day – we had New year’s Day hikes in 47 of our state parks. There are even more scheduled this year. And these hikes range from all levels: challenging to very relaxed, very leisurely. There are nature hikes, birding hikes, hikes through the mountains. Hikes along boardwalks on the Gulf Coast… So whatever you like to do, or if there’s a state park near you….get out after the holidays. Maybe we overdid it a little bit with the holiday dining the little Christmas turkey and new year’s celebration….get outside and walk that off and see the beautiful scenery and enjoy the fresh air; make First Day Hikes a tradition for you and your family.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

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