Passport to Texas

Volunteer at Texas State Parks

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Volunteers donate more than a half-million hours of service worth over $17-million dollars annually to all Texas Parks and Wildlife programs.

They get to work with really friendly and knowledgeable staff, and they have a great time just being outside and enjoying nature, themselves, as part of their giving back.

Audrey Muntz is the new volunteer coordinator for Texas state parks, and says anyone with an interest can find a volunteer opportunity in parks that suits them.

We have hundreds of opportunities throughout the state at state parks. Some of them are one time; some of them are short term. And, the majority of them are ongoing.

One of the most coveted long-term volunteer jobs is state park host. In exchange for their services, they receive a campground site.

Those individuals serve up to 24-30 hours a week in exchange for being able to keep their RV in the campground. And so they can help with a huge variety of things, from keeping the grounds clean, to fee collection. And they are the face of the park in many ways, and help campers get to know and learn the park and keep it as beautiful and clean as they can for all of our visitors.

Park host commitments range from two to six months; and, established volunteers often move from one park to another.

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

Chapel at Goliad State Park and Historic Site

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About halfway between Victoria and Beeville on HWY 59 South you’ll find Goliad State Park and Historic Site.

Well, we have—we feel—one of the hidden treasures in the state park system: the historic Mission Espiritu Santo, which is a Spanish mission that was established in 1749. So, it’s one of the oldest sites in Texas.

Jared Ramirez is a park ranger at the site. The moment you walk onto the grounds and see the buildings, you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

They are representative of the Franciscan missionary style, dating back to the 18th century. They are very similar to the missions in San Antonio; situated in a really beautiful site right next to the San Antonio River.

Ramirez says many visitors to Goliad State Park and Historic Site never knew it existed until they passed it headed to the coast.

A lot of people pass us up on their way to the coast; a lot of fishermen on their way to Rockport. Many visitors stop and ask, ‘What’s that building?’ And they come in, pay their three dollars, and are really surprised at what we have to offer. It really does stand out.

Goliad State Park and Historic Site offers a variety of cultural and recreational opportunities. And we’ll talk about those on tomorrow’s show.

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

Bison Music Festival

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This is Passport to Texas

The official State Bison Herd has more than doubled in size since 1997—that’s when Texas Parks and Wildlife took possession of the animals at Caprock Canyons SP.

I believe there were around 50 or so when SP became the caretaker. There’s about 130 or so that are in the herd right now.

They’re descended from the original southern bison herd that thundered across the plains before European settlers reduced their numbers to near extinction. Donald Beard is superintendent at Caprock Canyons State Park, and says more bison are on the way.

We’re getting more cows into the breeding age. So, we’re going to see a population explosion before too much longer.

Plus: the Texas Legislature named the bison the state mammal. With all this good news, we need to celebrate. So, on Saturday, September 17, the 6th Annual Texas State Bison Music Festival takes place south of the park in Quitaque, Texas.

The festival this year will be headlined by Texas icon, Robert Earl Keen. Tickets are $30 for general admission. And, the concert starts at about 3 p.m. and the vendors start at about 9 a.m. Come all day and bring your lawn chairs.

Campsites are available and there’s a$10 cooler fee. Find complete details and music line-up, plus tickets for the Texas State Bison Music Festival at bisonfest.com.

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

Yoga Hike, Image via YogaHike.Net Photographer Olympia Sobande

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This is Passport to Texas

Tai Chi enthusiasts aren’t the only ones who exercise in the outdoors. Christopher Howell leads yoga hikes at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin.

What yoga hike is, is just like it sounds. I mean, we hike and we do a little yoga. The trails are so nice. We do the 2.8 mile Onion Creek Trail. I love how the trails are carved out. They’re easy to follow. Any age level can hike.

Join Howell’s Yoga Hike during a segment on the TPW TV Show on PBS the week of August 21.

So, we do a little warm up to get started. I have people get fully present. Focus on why they’re here. What they want to do while they’re here. Get ‘em ready to do a hike.

Both the hike and the yoga are gentle. And Howell says, both allow participants to connect with the natural world.

I want people to feel more connected to nature. Not to feel as though they’re something separate from nature. They are nature. They’re an animal. And so, doing a hike, and doing a little bit of yoga, seems to narrow that gap. And as we become more aware of that, we treat each other better. We treat nature better.

Find out how Christopher Howell’s yoga students end their hike, when you watch the TPW TV show on PBS the week of August 21. You’ll want to join them.

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

Helicopters are necessary in search and rescue missions in the canyons.

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This is Passport to Texas

Long, hot hours passed July Fourth Weekend at Caprock Canyons State Park before rescue workers located an injured woman hiker in a remote area of the park. Their UTVs [Utility Task Vehicle or Utility Terrain Vehicle] could take them only so far over the rugged terrain.

Once we could no longer drive, then it was another hour and a half hike to get tot heir location.

Park Superintendent, Donald Beard, says the woman and a male companion had strayed from designated trails. She fell during their hike and broke her leg. Luckily a cell signal was available, and the man called for help.

We had the DPS Troopers. They launched a helicopter from Lubbock, and were able to set down on top of the canyon, above her location.

As night fell, they needed accurate coordination to get her to a hospital for medical care.

Once we did locate her, it was an exercise of high angle rescue, where we had to have a crew that repelled down to her location, strap her into a basket, and then the rest of the crew were able to lift her up to a location. Then they could carry her by foot to where the helicopter was.

When I spoke to Donald Beard, it was only two days after the rescue at Caprock Canyons State Park.

When she left here, even though she had been exposed to high temperatures, and had a broken bone without medical attention for eight to ten hours, she was still alert, and she was coherent and doing well. So, I’m assuming that she’s going to be okay.

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