Passport to Texas

Battleship TEXAS

Event/History: Celebrating Battleship TEXAS at 100 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Wrap up spring break March 15 with a family to trip the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic site to celebrate the centennial of Battleship TEXAS.

08—The family festival that we’re going to have on March 15, is going to be a party the likes of which we probably haven’t seen out here before.

Andy Smith oversees the upkeep of the antique dreadnought (now a museum), which saw action in both World Wars. In addition to many family-friendly activities, there’s live music throughout the day, featuring headliner Robert Earl Keen.

08—He’s bringing his Texas Uprising, which is a music festival to the site. And he’s very excited to help raise the awareness of the ship.

Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison, Reckless Kelly and Charlie Robison join the lineup at the site.

21—We have a 12-hundred acre facility here; we’re going to have these festivities on and around the battleship – on the smaller side of the park. And it’s going to be a really great event. Tickets are available right now and can be purchased at battleshiptexas.org, and that’ll be march 15 starting at noon and running until 10 p.m. at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.

Andy Smith says money raised from the event will fund much needed repairs to the 100 year old vessel. For more information and tickets go to battleshiptexas.org.

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

Fishing at Colorado Bend State Park

Recreation: Spring Break in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sometimes things sneak up on us before we’re ready. Take spring break, for example. Are you at a loss for what to do with the family this week? Robert Ramirez with Outreach and Education at Texas Parks and Wildlife says there’s something for everyone when you visit a state park.

There is something for everybody: everything from hikes to geocaching, to stargazing at night. The little “techies” can grab their iPads and get out there and utilize them for those activities only. The adults will also have plenty to do. There’s a Go Fish program for the kids and adults; the Go Fish programs they teach families the basics of fishing.

Yes. Definitely. Go to our website, and under the ‘calendar’ tab, click on ‘kids’ and the mid two weeks of March are chock full of events and activities and things for them to do.

Remember: Life’s Better Outside. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Picture Yourself in State Parks

Photography: Picture Yourself in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On your next trip to a state park, bring the family, a camera and start snapping; then enter your best shot in Texas Parks and Wildlife’s state park photo contest.

03—The theme of it is “Picture Yourself in State Parks.”

Chase Fountain –photographer with Texas Parks and Wildlife – says judges want to see how you engage the outdoors.

12—Imagine taking a selfie, and you’re, for example, at Garner State Park. If you’re walking up “Old Baldy” and you have your hiking poles behind you, and you’re looking up…just taking a picture of yourself with that in the background says it all.

Photos don’t have to look professional. They just need to show you enjoying Texas state parks.

09—We are looking for families having a great time in state parks. Capture those wonderful moments and share them with us. And we’ll be happy to take a look at them – and maybe you might win!

Entries are being accepted now through April 15th. There are three categories.

19—One is 18 and over; and we’re having a 17 and under category for all you kids out there. And, of course, we’re doing an Instagram category as well. And in order to do the Instagram, you need to do #MyParkPick, and upload it. Whitney Bishop – our social media director over there – will take a look at them and get them ready for the contest.

Find rules and entry forms on the activities page of the TPW website. The person with the winning photo receives a Hero Edition Silver GoPro Camera.

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

Take your camera to a State Park.

Photography: State Park Photography Contest Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What kind of camera do you take with you to a state park?

06—When I’m with my family out and about in parks or wherever, I use my phone – that’s my primary camera – and I love it.

Chase Fountain works as a professional photographer for Texas Parks and Wildlife. While he uses sophisticated equipment on the job, he says point and shoot digital cameras as well as camera phones offer tools to help all users take well-composed shots.

16—My iPhone has a little option on there where you can put the grid on, and it displays the grid. If you have time, look into the concept of using the rule of thirds; it’s about placing interesting subject matter in the intersecting points of your camera [grid] to increase the value of composition with your photos.

We love landscape images, yet photos that include people actively engaging the outdoors can be more compelling.

12—It’s funny that you bring that up, because we are coming up with a state park contest; the theme of it is “Picture Yourself in State Parks.” And it’s really going to be focused on photographing you and your family out doing an activity in a state park.

So grab your camera or camera phone and submit your entries now through April 15th.

12—I saw a recent photo that a family submitted the other day, and it was just their silhouettes, or a shadow of them. And, they had all their shadows on the side of a rock at Enchanted Rock. That was a very fun way to engage a natural setting like that.

Tomorrow: A few contest rules and what the winner receives.

That’s our show…Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Enjoying the Texas Beach

State Parks: Ambassadors and Millennials Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you’re under 30 years old chances are you’ve spent less time outdoors than previous generations.

Ky Harkey is the outdoor education and outreach coordinator for state parks, and oversees the Texas State Park Ambassador Program, which targets these “millennials.”

21— The millennial generation, if you will—roughly 16 to 28 year olds or so—is a particular focus for us – trying to bring that audience into parks. The millennials that are out there right now that love Texas State Parks, and are already our advocates, the Ambassador program gives them the tools that they need to help promote Texas State Parks, and the benefits of outdoor recreation with their peers.

Volunteer Ambassadors work to increase visitation of young adults in State Parks.

15— In a hyper, online digital world today, we see that actually word-of-mouth marketing is still one of the best ways to bring new audiences into our parks. Through videos, and photos and inspiring stories, it’s trying to light a fire under these millenials that are not getting outdoors right now.

Ambassadors receive free admission and camping sites at state parks, and then share their experiences and help others create memories.

06— They have created videos promoting Texas State parks; they’ve hosted concerts in the parks. So, we see the success not only in the individual touches that they’ve had with new audiences, but in the work that they are doing to pioneer the future of the Ambassador program.

Visit texasstateparks.org and find out how to become a SP ambassador.

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