Passport to Texas

Krause Springs near Austin Texas, photo by Dan Pancamo.

TPW TV - A Look Back at Texas Swimming Holes Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Over the three decades the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV show’s been airing, the name and its personnel have changed, but one thing remains — it delivers the best of Texas to you. Next month the series revisits a story from 1990 featuring Central Texas Swimming holes, many of which, like Krause Springs near Spicewood, offered more than mere recreation.

Years ago I was baptized here on this place.

Barton Springs—in Austin—one of the largest natural spring-fed swimming holes in Texas, has long been the subject of enjoyment and controversy. In this same segment, the series followed the heated debate concerning how development would affect the springs.

We need stronger protection in our watershed. In our inner city. You must find all the causes of pollution and treat them. You will represent all the city of Austin, and don’t get caught up in the cause celeb of the moment. I think without water, we will not have life. With all due respect, I cannot get away from the feeling that the new ordinance, as proposed is simply a no growth ordinance. It is very simple: if you build over the aquifer, you will pollute our water supply.

Although the segment on Central Texas swimming holes is more than a half century old, the issue is timeless. Catch it the week of June 5th on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS. Check your local listings.

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

TPW TV: Balmorhea Fun Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Jeffrey Buras [Byou-ras] is the newest producer on the PBS Texas Parks and Wildlife Television series.

There’s a lot to learn, for sure. Not only just with our production process, but also [becoming familiar with] all of the biology, all of the wildlife management…

The job involves more than knowing where to point the camera. It’s challenging, and also keeps producers on the road for long stretches. Yet, even when they’re done for the day, they’re never really done. As you’ll see when you view an upcoming segment called Balmorhea Fun.

I was actually doing a story with producer Abe Moore—we were out in the Pecos region studying the Pecos Pup fish for another segment. We’d finished in the middle of the afternoon, and we were considering—okay, we could either do the drive back to Austin over six hours, or we could just stay here in Balmorhea, enjoy the afternoon, make a fun little video, and drive back the next day.

And that’s just what they did.

We had a bunch of small Go-Pro cameras, and, we had a Quad-Copter that can shoot video. We spent the afternoon swimming with folks, giving them cameras [to use], and coming up with this fun little video.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife TV segment Balmorhea Fun airs on PBS stations the week of May 15th.

It’s just a fun view of what it’s like to spend a day at Balmorhea State Park.

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

Celebrating 30 Years of Texas Parks and Wildlife Television

Be on the Parks & Wildlife TV Show or on the Crew Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

A generation grew up watching the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS TV series. Now, a new generation is joining them.

The thing that I consider the most special part about the Texas Parks and Wildlife [TV] show, is that I’ve never seen my daughter’s face light up so much as when she hears that opening song.  It doesn’t matter which room in the house my daughter is in, as soon as she hears those opening notes, she comes running in, because she knows the animal show’s on.

Josh Havens, Texas Parks and Wildlife Director of Communications, says 2016 marks the series’ 30th anniversary, and viewers of all ages are invited to commemorate this milestone.

We are holding a contest to commemorate that anniversary; a chance to give our viewers an opportunity to be part of that show that they’ve supported for so long. To enter is simple. In 250 words or less, you pitch us an original story idea for a feature segment. If your idea wins, you get the choice of either being on the show itself, or being on the film crew.

The winner also receives over $2-thousand dollars in prizes.

We’re looking for stories that can take individuals from their everyday indoor life, and introduce them to a world that is outside, and that tells the story of why Texas’ wild places and wild things are so unique.

Deadline for entries is May 31, 2016. Find complete contest rules and online entry form on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

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

This is Passport to Texas

The night skies sparkle over Texas. In an upcoming segment of the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS TV show, you’ll meet folks like Bill Wren, who work tirelessly to keep the skies dark.

“Dark sky” just means the lack of any artificial light sources; man-made, human-origin light sources. It’s a relatively recent phenomenon, I mean, astronomers are kind of like the canaries in the coal mine, we’re the first ones to say “hey, wait a second. The skies aren’t as dark here as they used to be.

We waste tens of billions of dollars a year worldwide lighting up the night sky. Davis Mountains SP ranger, Tara Poloskey, calls this misdirection of wattage, light pollution.

And when I talk about the dark skies, I try to help people to understand how easy it is to preserve them. All it is, is a choice you make at Home Depot to buy the light that points down instead of up.

The MacDonald Observatory in Fort Davis depends on dark skies. Larry Francell says the surrounding community is on board, but they can only do so much.

We, as a group, keep our night lights either directed downward or don’t use them. But it’s encroaching from other areas, particularly the oil patch in the Permian Basin. The only way to keep McDonald Observatory working and safe and viable is for dark skies.

Catch the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV segment called The Night’s Watch the week of May 8th on PBS stations statewide. Check your local listings.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

TPW TV: Birding in the Brushland Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

The Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS Television series broadcasts a segment the week of April 17 on birdwatching in the brushlands of South Texas.

I can go to the outdoors and have something to do, and it’s something you know it’s kind of relaxing and peaceful. You just need your binoculars and you can just do it anywhere! So that’s what I like about it and the birds are neat ya know! To see different birds!

Ruayda Bouls is one of the birdwatchers you’ll meet on the show. Texas Parks and Wildlife Ornithologist Cliff Shackelford makes an appearance to help guide the birding enthusiasts.

[Cliff Shackelford] Look at all those Chachalaca’s sitting there!
[Ruayda Bouls] It’s not very bright but I like the noise it makes!
[Cliff Shackelford] It would make a good ring-tone wouldn’t it!
[Ruayda Bouls] Yeah! Ha!
[Cliff Shackelford] Chachalaca, Chachalaca, Chachalaca!

There are 500 bird species in the south Texas ecoregion where they shot the segment, and birder, Josh Anderson, isn’t shy about picking a favorite.

13— My favorite probably is the Green Jay, I know that’s kinda like the hallmark of South Texas down here, everybody will come from miles around just to see that bird! It’s just cool, a lot of them are like camouflaged or blending in, but that one really pops out!

Birding in the Brushlands airs the week of April 17 on PBS stations statewide. Check your local listings.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti