Passport to Texas

Cleburne State Park

State Parks: Cleburne State Park Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Off the beaten path, Cleburne State Park – outside of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex – is a nearly hidden treasure. And one that our State park Guide Bryan Frazier says has received a face lift and some bridgework.

57— Cleburne State Park is about 580 acres. It’s off the beaten path just enough that a lot of people don’t know about it. And not only has it recently had millions of dollars of improvements, but now they’ve restored a CCC built bridge. What they’ve done is now they have made it a foot bridge instead of having vehicle traffic that goes across it. And this incredible structure that was built in the 1930s is still supporting everything you would need in infrastructure. They shored it up and cleaned it up…and it has all the signature CCC hand built bricks that are on there. And it’s probably 25 to 30 feet tall from the bridge to the creek bottom that it crosses. And now, the new road that goes around and by passes allows vehicle traffic into the park. It’s just one more part of the history of the CCC and Cleburne State Park. And you’ve got miles of hike and bike trails—it’s gorgeous scenery, great fishing in the lake. It’s a park that people need to check out.

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.

Nature Tourism: The Business of the Outdoors Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Eco-tourism is growing in popularity, thus creating new economic opportunities for private landowners, cities and rural communities.

18—Nature based tourism in Texas is done on small acreage and large acreage. What makes a good experience is making sure that the experience is real and really provides an opportunity to observe wildlife, to learn about it, the history and the culture of the region.”

Linda Campbell oversees the private lands program for Parks and Wildlife. The agency provides technical assistance to landowners and communities interested in making nature tourism a part of their economic development.

10—We produce one particular business planning guide called “Making Nature your Business,” that kinda helps people get started in planning how they diversify their business.

TPW can assist with assessing natural resources and provide management recommendations. The department also works with communities to develop wildlife viewing maps.

17—What these are, are destination planning that actually links together the best sites to view wildlife in these regions and we produce a map that tells people what there is to see, what kinds of wildlife habitats there are, where they can stay, and these sites are on private land and public lands.

We’ll have more about the maps tomorrow. Meantime, Learn about the agency’s technical assistance program, on TPW website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, Cecilia Nasti.

Nature Tourism: Texas "Staycation" Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This summer as many Americans take their annual vacations, many will travel within the Lone Star State to reconnect with nature and see wildlife…

09—Including hunting, fishing, bird watching, visiting parks…the data that we see on the national level shows that nature related vacations is definitely growing.

Linda Campbell oversees the private lands program at Parks and Wildlife. Most vacationers would rather see wildlife drinking at a pond than tourists sipping umbrella drinks at a hotel pool…and landowners are recognizing this as an economic opportunity.

14—Most landowners are motivated by the fact that they would like to diversify income on their property…many are already involved in wildlife recreation, in other forms, you know, offering hunting, and so this is a short step to looking at a different audience.

Trail-based activities such as hiking, bicycling and horseback riding as three of the most popular activities Texans partake in close to home or away on vacation. Photography and wildlife viewing are also high on the list.

Coming up on tomorrow’s show…making nature tourism your business…

10—We do provide technical assistance to landowners and communities interested in making nature-based tourism a part of their economic development.

Find eco-tourism opportunities in the calendar section of the TPW website. The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program supports our series and works to restore wildlife habitat in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Boating: Boater Education Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The weather is beginning to warm up, and Texans are making plans to get out on the water. But before setting foot on deck, consider taking a boater education course.

15—There’s a lot more people on the water. We’ve seen a major increase in canoes and kayaks. So people out here have to share the waterways. And the rules are different than they are for rules of the road when you’re driving your vehicle. So, it’s just a good idea to know some of those rules and the differences.

Texans learn those rules and differences in boater education classes. Tim Spice, who oversees the program for Texas Parks and Wildlife, says while training is beneficial for everyone who plans to operate personal watercraft, or vessels over 15 horsepower, or wind-blown vessels over 14 feet—it is mandatory for some.

15—If you were born after September 1, 1993, you are required to have boater education certification with you to operate one of those boats we’ve mentioned. The easiest way right now to get that class is online. We have an online provider—Boat Texas—very good program.

Find a schedule of classes on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

15—You can get on there, take the class, take the test, and then [if you pass], receive a temporary certification and you can go right out and immediately use the vessel legally. We have courses all over the state at our website, so you can come to our website [and sign up for a classroom instruction] if you prefer having an instructor help you out.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program supports our series.

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

Recreation: Off Highway Vehicles and Families Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Trail riding, using motorized vehicles is a growing sport in Texas.

12—Family groups that like to camp and trail ride together, and their friends that like to get together and enjoy the outdoors—they want safe, legal places to go. And that’s really where the demand is and the shortage is in Texas.

Steve Thompson manages the off highway vehicle program for Texas Parks and Wildlife. He says right now Texas only has 20 venues on public land where off road enthusiasts can ride safely and legally.

11—Probably the number one question that I get is mainly from riders in the metro areas asking when Parks and Wildlife will create a riding venue one hour from their house. It’s a noble goal but it’s been hard to achieve.

Using federal grant monies and revenue collected from the sale of the annual off road vehicle permit, Texas Parks and Wildlife works with communities and nonprofit organizations to identify and develop land for these venues…including land in state parks.

11—As a matter of fact, we are in the process of laying out the first new ATV and dirt bike trail system in any state park—at Eisenhower State Parks—about an hour north of Dallas.

Tomorrow: Seeking a balance between preserving nature and the rise of off highway vehicles.

Find information about the OHV program on the Parks and Wildlife website.

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