Passport to Texas

Using GPS technology to enjoy the outdoors.

Technology: Tech and Nature Summit Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

For years, outdoor educators have condemned technology for the growing disconnect between children and nature. But, technology isn’t going away; so, they’re finding ways to embrace the pods the pads and the phones to get kids interested in the outdoors. In recognition of this, the first day of the Children & Nature conference this April is a Technology & Nature Summit.

11— Our kids are becoming more and more tech savvy, and it’s part of their interests. And so, as we try to get more kids outside, we’ve found technology has become a helpful resource.

Ryan Spencer manages the Children and Nature Collaborative in Austin, and says the summit will cover a lot of ground.

20— We’re going to be talking about technology and its role in reconnecting children to the outdoors. We’re going to be talking about action steps that participants at the conference can take to help get more kids outside in their own communities. And, we’re going to come together and take a look at what the role technology has – what role can it play – in reconnecting kids to the outdoors.

The Children in Nature Conference is April 7 through 9 at the Hyatt Lost Pines in Bastrop, Texas. Find additional information at passporttotexas.org.

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

Hiking at Mother Neff State Park.

Parks: New Camping Loop Encircles History Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On January 23 Mother Neff State Park, near Waco, celebrates its grand re-opening after completing the first phase of a construction and renovation project. Master Planner, Joelynn Barclay says among the new construction is a camping loop that encircles remains of a Civilian Conservation Corps encampment.

They had 40 or so little cabins for men to live in, and a cooking hall, and they had their own maintenance buildings, and they a well, and they had a shack to eat in. So, all of those sites were an archeological site. And at first we were going to put that behind the proverbial velvet rope: ‘Oh, don’t touch that. It’s an archeological site. It’s culturally sensitive.’ But, instead, some very forward-thinking work done by our cultural resources coordinator Diane Dismukes and Tony Lisle, said, ‘You know what? With a good enough study – because none of the buildings exist there anymore –we could study archeology that’s left there, and go ahead and fit a camping loop where that site was. That way, in the camping loop, when you’re sitting there at night around the fire, you can see the remnants of what the CCC left. And talk about how the people lived there and built the park down below, while you’re sitting and camping and having a great time. Talk about living history. Yeah, living in history.

There’s more information about the park and grand re-opening on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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

Exploring Mother Neff State Park.

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A master plan—featuring new construction on higher ground—gives visitors to flood prone Mother Neff State Park, near Waco, a place to camp, picnic and hike, even when waters rise. Construction started in August 2013 and will wrap up this month. Project manager, Maureen Barcinski, says by being flexible they were able to balance the functional needs of the visitors with the protection of the natural and cultural resources in the newly developed areas.

It was a fascinating project. Because then you swing the [camping] loop around this way, you’re like: ‘Oh, wait. We’ve got to miss that CCC stone wall here.’ And so, the project evolves through – I think – a series of investigations on the site. We have a lot of architects and people that know buildings and know design. And our master planners know appropriately sized structures to house the needs [functions] of the park. So, it’s a collaborative team effort. It’s fascinating. It’s a very exciting process.

The park celebrates its grand reopening Friday, January 23. Find details on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

Tomorrow: History inside a camping loop.

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

Mother Neff State Park observation tower.

Parks: Mother Neff State Park Redo Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

More than 70 years ago the Civilian Conservation Corps helped develop Mother Neff State Park near Waco. The corps built most of the public structures in the scenic, but active flood plain. The last severe flooding event in 2007 prompted improvements.

19— In 2009, the State Legislature granted money for us to actually start making some changes to the park and develop high quality recreation facilities that were in the upper areas of the park, so that the park could function regardless of the flooding conditions down below.

Joelynn Barclay, Master Planner in the Infrastructure Division at Parks and Wildlife, said flooding can keep areas of the park under water weeks and months. With a dedicated team, a new master plan for the site took shape and work began. Project Manager Maureen Barcinski.

22— There’s a lot of nuances designing for parks. Because we’re trying to integrate things with nature and work structures into the natural environment, and not destroy the natural environment, we have to be very, very cognizant of when we’re allowed to build and when we’re not allowed to build. And so, that adds to the opportunities for excellence as you work through those kinds of things.

Tomorrow: Being flexible for nature and man.

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

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

Resolve to spend time in the wide open spaces.

Reolutions: Spend More Time in Nature Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Don’t you love the start of a new year? It‘s totally fresh and filled with possibilities. So, take a few minutes to consider how you’re going to make this year better for you and your family.

One way would be to get outside more, because—as we like to say: life’s better outside.

Spending time in the natural world has a way of resetting the brain and giving you a fresh perspective. Researchers have discovered that children who spend time in nature do better on exams, and are less disruptive in the classroom.

Bring a pair of walking shoes to the office, and during your lunch hour, stroll outdoors in the fresh air. Even if you’re in a city, you can still observe the varied wildlife and plant life you see along the way. It’s amazing how much nature you can actually find in a concrete jungle.

Spend time with friends or family at one of our many state parks. Most folks are within 90 minutes of a state park or natural area; many are much closer. Take a nature hike, ride a bike. Pitch a tent and sleep under the stars, or find a park with cabins and rough it indoors.

Commit to learning something new about Texas history by visiting one of the state’s incredible historic sites.

There’s a world of wonder out there, and once you spend more time outdoors, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

That’s our show… from all of us at Passport to Texas, we wish you a New Year filled with outdoor adventure…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti