Passport to Texas

Buescher State Park Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Bastrop State Park took a beating from wildfires, but with nature as our witness, the pines and wildlife will return. Until then, nearby Buescher State park was spared the fires’ wrath, and offers visitors a lost pines experience. Bryan Frazier explains.

58— Buescher State Park is part of the Lost Pines Complex. It’s actually down the road in Smithville, but it’s connected to Bastrop State Park on the backside by a 12-mile park road that people bike through all of the time.

There’s good news out there regarding this. Obviously there’s no way we want to look at this wildfire as anything other than the tragedy that it was. But there are things not as bad as it could have been, and there are good news stories to be found.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

On the Mend: Bastrop State Park Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

September wildfires ravaged Bastrop State Park, but as our SP guide Bryan Frazier tells us, while it was a tragic event, there are stories of courage and even good news amid the ashes.

It’s a story of tragedy, and it’s a story of incredible courage by the people who saved the part of the park that was saved.

It isn’t the same park hat it used to be, although, the park is going to come back. They’re assessing a lot of it right now. So, there are some good news stories at Bastrop State Park that we can find, and we need to let people know about that.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Health Benefits of the Outdoors Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Now that we’re getting a break in the weather, it’s time to get outdoors again.

Did you know we have more than a million acres of public parks and outdoor spaces in Texas? The opportunities to get outside are many, as are health benefits when Nature is your personal trainer.

Adults need at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity, and children, a full hour. Benefits of regular exercise include better overall physical health, as well as improved mental health. Do something for yourself, and peace of mind, by getting active outdoors—the trails are waiting!

Local and state parks offer something from everyone: from hike and bike trails, to golfing, rock climbing, paddling, and geocaching. You can even volunteer to repair trails or lead site tours. The opportunity for outdoor play is limited only by your imagination!

Being outside means breathing fresh air… and the varying terrain offers a workout challenge you just can’t get from a treadmill at home.

Side stepping puddles, leaping up rocks, and climbing up and down hills helps improve your balance and stability…and gets your heart rate up. The outdoor alternative is also more affordable than the gym, as state parks offer low-cost admission. So go on, and get out: life’s better outside.

Find a park or scenic nature and historic trails near you at texasstateparks.org.

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

Prehistory and New Technology Join Forces Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

New technology brings prehistoric Texas to life at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Our SP guide Bryan Frazier has details.

58— Dinosaur Valley State Park, by Glen Rose, Texas—it’s SW of Ft. Worth—has been famous for years for its dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy riverbed.

The park’s friend’s group, and then the community of Glen Rose got involved and provided the funding for this. And then the ad sales from local businesses can be on there and it’s a source of revenue for our park. So, everybody wins with this. And this technology seems to be the wave of the future and Dinosaur Valley is embracing it.

Thanks, Bryan.

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.

More Halloween in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Halloween and state parks go together. Our State park Guide Bryan Frazier has details about a “Spooktacular” event at Sea Center Texas, and an event at Inks Lake SP featuring creatures of the night—and a star party.

This is a real novel idea; park staff dress up like animals that come out at night. And they’re going to talk about some of the things that these animals do. Then they’re going to do a night hike, there’s going to be a costume party. Then there’ll be a star gazing party that they’ll have there because of the open night sky in the Hill Country.

This is their fifth year; they’re having the annual Sea Center Spooktacular. It’s very kid oriented; they’ll have a costume contest, they’re having treats. They can tour and see the aquarium, and the hatchery—the real, functioning hatchery that we have at Sea center. So, it’s a great opportunity to get kids plugged in. It gives them a safe place to go and do something for the Halloween event.

Thanks, Bryan!

That’s our show for today…with funding provided by Chevrolet, supporting outdoor recreation in Texas; because there’s life to be done.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife I’m Cecilia Nasti.