NATURE TOURISM 2:  New trails and new ways to 
enjoy nature.  Details ahead on Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas

The term “nature tourism” has evolved to include a 
diverse range of outdoor activities. Advancements in new 
tools and technologies enhance the outdoor experience. 

23—Nature tourism is any kind of tourism that allows people to 
connect with nature and provide economic impact to the local 
economies of rural communities especially but it can be big cities as 
well and this would include things as varied as camping, wildlife 
photography, wildlife viewing and birding, stargazing, any number of 
things that are a way to connect to nature.

Shelly Plante is the Nature Tourism Manager at Texas 
Parks and Wildlife 

28—The things I think are possibly new to nature tourism beyond 
birding which everyone is fairly familiar with would include wildlife 
photography and butterflying.  I think both of those have become 
really big.  One thing with butterflying is, butterflies stay still, unlike 
birds.  They do flit around but they stay in one area.  You can have 
your field guide right in front of you.

In addition, access to smart phones and new apps like i-
naturalist allow explorers to snap photos and get 
immediate help identifying their observations.

10—Butterflying is easier than birding in many ways and it’s a great 
introduction to noticing the outside world. 

Start planning your next outdoor adventure with the 
TPW website.

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








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