Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

For the past ten years, Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine has dedicated its July issue to questions of water in Texas.

07—Big questions that we have to grapple with as a state: where’s our water going to come from, and who’s going to get it and how much are they going to get?

In the 10th anniversary publication, Texas parks and Wildlife Executive Director Carter Smith provides an overview of the past decade, including the progress we’ve made.

13—We’ve made a lot of headway. I think one of the most important things that we have done is to help elevate public awareness and consciousness about the criticality of conserving that water—not only now—but in future generations when we’re going to need it the most.

This includes ensuring plentiful water for the state’s fish and wildlife now and into the future.

19—Texans care about their fish and wildlife. Every single attitudinal survey demonstrates that. Also, there have been some legislative developments over the last 10 years that have helped put science and stakeholder processes together to help ensure that we’re going to have strategies for water that will be available for our fish and wildlife.

Learn more when you pick up the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine—on newsstands now.

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series…and funds conservation projects in Texas.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

Ten years ago, the July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine focused on water—and continues to do so each July. Editor Louie Bond describes a few of the stories in the upcoming10th anniversary edition water issue.

64—This year, on our tenth anniversary of that first water issue, we’ve added forty pages, and brought on some of the top experts and best writers and photographers in the state to take a look at how far we’ve come in the past ten years, and where we’ll be heading after that. After a great introduction by Carter Smith—our fearless leader—we move on to a look at the gulf from Larry McKinney, a former head of our coastal fisheries division. We don’t focus so much on the oil spill in this particular issue. But we look at what the gulf means to us, and in the future there. And then we look, with our own wonderful Larry Hodge, at lakes. Particularly at the use of lakes as reservoirs and our future water needs. Then we move onto bays with Carol Flake Chapman, in particular a look at Matagorda Bay; we move I onto springs with Joe Nick Patoski. We also take a look at wetlands with Wendy Holtcamp, who looks at these great nurseries as well as barriers to protect us against coastal storms. Finally, we have a photo essay featuring water in our great state parks. So, we hope you’ll come with us this July to take a look at water in Texas in all its shapes and forms.

Thanks, Louie.

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

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Nothing can cool off the whole family on a hot summer’s day faster than a dip in the cool waters of a state park swimming pool.

Our State park guide, Bryan Frazier tells us about a couple of well loved pools in Central Texas.

45—We have some great parks with fantastic swimming pool facilities; sometimes the only pool facility in the entire county. And so in Central Texas we have LBJ SP that has a great swimming pool facility there.

And then, too, Bastrop and Lockhart were built by the CCC. And they’re just beautiful and clean. Bastrop SP has got some new renovations with new restrooms, with a new pool liner. So that experience is even better. Now, they all have summer hours, and you can find those out on our website texasstateparks.org. You can find season passes at these pools, and at Bastrop SP they even have swimming lessons that are available. So, that’s one more option to make a State Park destination a great getaway.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet…building dependable, reliable trucks for more than 90 years.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

If you’re someone who likes lists, we have one that’s perfect to post on the fridge.

07— That’s right. Our Nobody’s Waterproof campaign says ‘enjoy a great day on the water, and here’re six tips to help you do that.’

Laurie Connally is the Parks and Wildlife boater education specialist for Central Texas. These common sense tips include 1) wear a life jacket, 2) drink responsibly and designate a sober boat driver, 3) obey boating signs and rules, 4) drink plenty of water, 5) keep the proper gear on board, and 6) never boat or swim alone. With respect to the last tip, Connally recommends filing a float plan.

13—it tells the basic information: where you’re going, when you’re leaving, who’s on the boat with you, and what time you expect to be back. And then you leave that with someone so that if for any reason you’re not back, there’s someone saying, ‘Hey, we need to go look for these folks.’

Telling people where you’re going will give them a starting place to look for you if you’re late in returning home. Connally also recommends having a GPS with you—many smart phones come with them. A GPS can help you find your way back in case you get turned around. However, she says the best tip of all:

02—We really encourage them to take a boater safety class.

Find boater safety class information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

And remember: Nobody’s Waterproof…

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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This is Passport to Texas

Boating safety is Laurie Connally’s business.

11— My primary goal and purpose is to educate and train volunteer boater education instructors who can then go out and offer classes and spread the word about boating safety to other individuals.

Connally is the Parks and Wildlife boater education specialist for Central Texas. Because boating is generally a carefree recreational activity she says people will forget to exercise caution.

12—I think a lot of people just don’t understand the responsibilities involved. A lot of the boats have a lot of power, and even if you’re using something like a paddle boat, there are other boaters out there who may or may not be aware of the laws and rules and regulations.

To learn your responsibility when on the water, Connally says nothing beats taking a boater safety class. And she recommends making it a family affair.

11—Mom, dad, children—they’re going home and talking about it. They get to take great materials home with them. And they can compare their stories, and I think it would be a really good opportunity for them to learn together.

When you know the rules and etiquette for spending time on the water, you and everyone around you—even if they’re clueless—will be safer for it.

Six things you should know when you’re on the water—that’s tomorrow.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

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