Archive for the 'TPW Mag' Category

TPW Magazine June Preview

Monday, May 25th, 2009

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine has a great adventure lined up for readers this month as they go deep underground into karst caves. Managing Editor, Louie Bond.

The way they were created geologically is that the bedrock dissolves, and what you have forming is a sink hole on top, and underneath you have these caves and these wonderful springs. And what’s really special about these formations, I think, are the wonderful creatures that come to live there. And there’s a whole “genre” of species that are called troglobites.

And troglobites are these creatures that have evolved within the cave. They never leave. So, they have these special attributes. Some of them don’t have eyes; they have paler pigments because they’re never out in the light; their appendages change. And, so a lot of these fascinating creatures are never seen.

And, I think some of the most fantastical creatures are the cavers who are obsessed with these caves. And they go down and they map them and they explore them, and they photograph them. And, I think most importantly, from our perspective, is they keep an eye on these special little creatures, because they’re sort of the canaries in the coal mine as to how we’re doing with our springs, and these really delicate ecosystems.

And once we start losing these species, we realize something’s wrong and we need to do something about it. So, this is really important work, as well as being just an incredible adventure for our readers.

Thanks, Louie.

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

TPW Magazine January Preview

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Wildlife Restoration Program

The January 2009 issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine focuses on the multi-faceted issue of endangered species. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

And so, we’re taking it, kind of, almost as a theme through the magazine. Starting out with our “At Issue” by our Executive Director, Carter Smith, who quotes the famous American Conservationist, Aldo Leopold, who says: There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. And, of course, here at Texas Parks and Wildlife, we fall into the latter category. We cannot live without any of these wild things. The main reason for a lot of the problems that these species are having is habitat loss. But there’s also some subtle things that go on, for example, wild fire control. I know that you and I grew up with Smokey the Bear—and tried to stamp out forest fires—which is a great cause. But, forest fires are a fact of life, and they’re Mother Nature’s way of getting rid of some undergrowth. And that does affect some of these species. And, I think that Carter Smith wraps it best. He says at the end of his at issue column this month, “I have no doubt that if we can collectively succeed in this worthwhile endeavor, our children, and their children, and their children after that, will be forever grateful. And if we don’t—they may never forgive us.”

The January issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now.

That’s our show…with support from the Wildlife Restoration Program…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TPW Magazine Gift Guide

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Gift giving season is here, and Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine managing editor Louie Bond tells us about this year’s goodies guide.

Every month it is so hard to pick my favorite story, but December is the one month it is not hard at all, because we have a gift guide every December. So, I just wanted to tell you about a few of them.

One kind of simple thing is a camouflage suit, which you wouldn’t think is anything new, but this year it’s in 3-D; they’ve added some new optical effects, so you’re going to be trickier than ever.

I don’t know if you’ve ever gotten lost in the woods—but I have. And this next gadget—the spot messenger—a personal locater that uses GPS technology. You can push a button and the Google map will pop up on your friend’s computer, showing exactly where you are and that you’re lost.

We, of course, have the usual best of binoculars, and boots, and bows, but one thing that really caught my eye this year, and I know every deer hunter is going to have to have The Rackulator; the world’s only electronic big game scoring tool.

And, Santa, if you’re listening….I want the ultra light dualist cook system, so I don’t have to lug my personal pots and pans when I’m camping, and they won’t return home covered in soot.

Thanks Louie. The December issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine is on newsstands now.

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

TPW Magazine November Preview

Friday, October 24th, 2008

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Falconry and the return of the Trinity River…in the November issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

Russell Graves wrote a great story on falconry for us this month. And, falconry has such historic roots. It dates back to seventh century BC, in Mesopotamia, believe it or not, all the way through European nobility. And even the Japanese Samurai culture used falcons. So it has great historic traditions, not to mention it’s just such a beautiful site. One particular quote from a falconer really stood out for me about the bond between the bird and the hunter, and that is: ‘Every time you cut your bird loose, they can choose not to come back to you.’

Another story that we have is about the Trinity River Basin, and how a group of landowners came together to try to save this beautiful area. And, I grew up in Dallas, and I remember the Trinity River twenty-five, thirty years ago, was seen as little more than a sewer. Fortunately, the picture is better there now. And now that these landowners have gotten together with private groups and the state, they’re really doing a lot of work.

Five million people depend on the Trinity River for clean water, so there’s nothing that could be more important. But they’re having tremendous success—lots of good things to come. And it just proves once again that we can work together to protect and preserve our natural resources.

We have more information about these topics at passporttotexas.org.

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

Texas Park and Wildlife Magazine October Update

Friday, September 19th, 2008

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

You will meet some unusual critters in the October issue if Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine. Managing editor, Louie Bond.

In one feature we’re going to be talking about ringtail cats. Which are on of my favorite animals. A lot of people here in Texas actually have never seen a ringtail cat, but they’re really pretty common. It’s just being at the right place at the right time, I guess. Our author, Wendee Holtcamp, goes trying to trap some and seem them for herself. But they loaded their live trap with sardines, apples and bananas.

Our other big feature for the October issue is about lesser-known endangered species. I know a lot of people will think of the horned lizard and the golden-cheeked warbler when they think of endangered species, but there are so many animals of all kinds that are either endangered or threatened. And, Texas Parks and Wildlife has a Wildlife Action Plan that they implemented in 2005 which deals with all of the species in all of the regions. And is a real head’s up to help us all look ahead to look ahead and to see what impacts there are going to be on creatures who right now might not be endangered, but their existence might be threatened.

For example, certain species who depend on the Blackland prairies, if the Blackland prairie is disappearing, what is the future of these species. They haven’t even completed a list of what we have yet, much less of what we’re losing. So, this is probably one of the most vital subject that we cover all year long.

Thanks, Louie. The October issue is on newsstands now.

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