Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Geomyces [gee-oh-MY-seez] destructans, also called white nose syndrome, has been killing bats in the Northeastern US since 2006.

11—White nose is this really mysterious disease, we’re still trying to figure it out. It’s brand new. It’s closely associated with a fungus that invades the bat tissues while they’re hibernating.

Mylea Bayless is a conservation biologist with Bat Conservation International. Researchers think the white fungus burrows into bats’ skin during hibernation, killing 90 to 100 percent of affected animals.

14—It seems like this fungus is disrupting their hibernation patterns and they’re waking up twice as often, and so they run out of fat twice as quickly. So, in January or February they’re out of stored fat and they simply starve to death in the caves and mines.

In May, University students in Oklahoma discovered a species of bat called cave myotis with the fungus, putting the disease on Texas’ door-step, and creating a potential threat for the 50 species of bats that live here, like the Brazilian free-tail.

21—Cave myotis very commonly roost in close association with Brazilian free-tail bats. So, I fully expect the Brazilian free-tails to become infected with the fungus very soon. What I hope will happen is that our free-tails won’t die en masse, because they don’t really hibernate for very long. Most of our free-tails migrate to Mexico.

Proactive measures to protect bat colonies in Texas—that’s tomorrow. The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our show

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

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This is Passport to Texas.

Each year, a species of invasive aquatic mussels called zebra mussels has crept further south toward Texas.

Parks and Wildlife Inland Fisheries Manager Brian Van Zee says last year they found zebra mussels for the first time in Lake Texoma on the Oklahoma-Texas border.

Since that time they’ve spread pretty much throughout the entire reservoir. You can find them attached to just about any rocks or hard structures in Lake Texoma now.

Zebra mussels filter small organisms and plankton out of the water for food. So when there are millions of zebra mussels, they can make the lake look pretty clear.

Most people would say that’s kind of neat, it’s a good thing. But actually it’s harmful because it’s filtering out the phytoplankton and zooplankton out of the water column. And that zooplankton the basis of the aquatic food chain.

That means fish may not have enough food to survive. And that’s not all.

Another thing that zebra mussels do by increasing the water clarity is that it allows other invasive species such as hydrilla or something like that to grow either quicker or at deeper water levels because now you can get more sunlight.

To prevent the further spread of zebra mussels, Van Zee encourages boaters to clean their boats thoroughly each time they take them out of the water.

You can find more information at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show… we had research and writing help from Gretchen Mahan…the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration program supports our series… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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This is Passport to Texas

At some point this month you’ll want to spend time indoors to cool off from the unrelenting Texas heat. When you do, you can still experience the outdoors with the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS series. Producer, Alan Fisher, talks about two segments worth watching.

In July we might take you to some new destinations outdoors, but we’ll definitely try and get you some good information. If you’re in the market for a tent, there’s and Outdoor Info about picking out the right one for you.

Now, this particular model right here, this is a two-person, three-season tent. Three-season, meaning that it’s designed for more moderate weather, and it’s got features designed to move a lot of air through the tent.

Also coming up in July, there’s a Wild Things on the Invaders—invasive species in the water and on land.

Sometimes, non-native species are introduced into an area, by someone who releases an unwanted pet, or dumps an aquarium into a local stream or lake.

The Parks and Wildlife television series airs on PBS stations around Texas, and also on a number of municipal cable channels. More information can be found online on the Texas parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show… We receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuel.

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

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This is Passport to Texas

[SFX fireworks]

When it comes to celebrating our nation’s birthday at Texas state parks you can bring the barbecue, the watermelon and the outdoor games…but not the fireworks.

06—It is illegal in Texas state parks…it is a Class C misdemeanor to possess fireworks in a state park.

That’s Wes Masur, the state park law enforcement coordinator at Texas Parks and Wildlife. He says even sparklers… black cats… and bottle rocket are prohibited in state parks, not only on the 4th of July, but everyday, and for good reason.

09—Within the state park system we have different types of wildlife and different types of grasses and we don’t want to get any type of forest fire started…people are there to enjoy the state parks.

While a few state parks do offer organized fireworks displays, not everyone appreciates traditional holiday pyrotechnics.

05—Some people don’t like fireworks…the noises that go along with that stuff—we just don’t allow it in the state parks.

For more information on which state parks offer public fireworks displays, log onto the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

That’s our show for today…we record our series at the Production Block Studios in Austin, Texas…Joel Block engineers our program.

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This is Passport to Texas

[SFX speed boat on water]

Having fun and being safe are not mutually exclusive goals when boating this Fourth of July weekend. In fact, Steve Hall, Education Director at Parks and Wildlife says boating safety is as easy as one-two-three.

And the first one is wear a life jacket. That would prevent 90% of all fatalities in the water, especially those involving boating accidents.

So, when you don’t have stoplights on the water, and you have no breaks and you’re operating a tonnage of a vessel….yeah…you have to take that just as seriously, if not more seriously, than a vehicle on the highways.

Find boating safety information on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Website.

That’s our show… We receive support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating in Texas…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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