Passport to Texas

Accessible Beach Access South Padres, image http://www.myspi.org/

Angling: Accessible Coastal Angling Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

All Texans deserve reasonable access to coastal fishing opportunities, regardless of their physical abilities.

04 –This is Texas and Texans love to fish; and we want to make sure that everybody can fish.

Jim Suydam (SUE-dam), press secretary to Texas General Land Office Commissioner Jerry Patterson, says mobility impaired Texas anglers shouldn’t let concern over beach access stop them from casting a line in Gulf waters.

16 – I think people would be amazed to find how easy it really is. Some people may be intimidated to think that it would be harder to access the beach if they have a disability. But I think if they look at how most Texans go to the beach, that you can just drive up and find a nice spot– it’s really very easy.

Although the Americans With Disabilities Act doesn’t apply to the coast, Suydam says the state follows its accessibility guidelines because it’s the right thing to do.

25—It’s important in the mix for us when we’re looking at a city’s beach access plan, that we make sure that there is adequate vehicular access as well as pedestrian access. Also, we work to funnel grant monies to areas that will provide special ADA dune walkovers; that’s an important part of the mix. And we’ve put those in, in surfside and in Sea Rim State Park – some of the most popular parks in Texas for fishers.

Find information about the Texas Beach and Bay Access Guide on the Texas parks and Wildlife website

The Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program supports our series… providing funding for the operations and management of Texas State Fish Hatcheries.

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

Chris Oswalt Knows Life’s Better Outside

Health Benefits of the Outdoors Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Did you know we have more than a million acres of parks and outdoor spaces in Texas? The opportunities to get outside abound, as do the health benefits when you get active outdoors.

The general recommendation for physical activity for adults is at least a full 30 minutes a day … and children need a full hour. Benefits of regular activity include: better overall bodily health as well as improved mental health.

Local and state parks offer something from everyone: from hike and bike trails, to swimming, rock climbing, paddling, and geocaching. You can even perform volunteer services repairing trails or leading site tours.

The opportunity for outdoor play is limited only by your imagination!

Being outside means breathing fresh air, and the varying terrain offers challenges to a workout you can’t get from a treadmill at home.

Side stepping puddles, leaping up rocks, and traversing up and down hills exercise your balance and stability in addition to the cardiovascular system.

The outdoor alternative is also more affordable than the gym, as many state parks offer low-cost admission. So go ahead and get out, because life’s better outside.

Find a park or scenic trail near you at texasstateparks.org.

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

Image from Carp Anglers Group, Austin Team Championship 2012

Angling: Carp Fishing Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Carp is the Rodney Dangerfield of the fish world—at least in the US, where many anglers consider it trash. But in other parts of the world, carp is highly sought-after. It may surprise you to know Texas has some of the best carp fishing in the country.

:04—This is one of the three best carp fishing waters in the whole of America.

Steven Bates is talking about Lady Bird Lake in Austin, where he and his brother Michael took part in the Austin Team Challenge carp angling competition.

:03—We’ve been lucky today. We’ve caught about five; right here.

The competition aims to change angler’s perception of carp. Casey Crawford cast in the competition, too, and reeled in a huge 43 pound 12 ounce carp. [:03 ambience]

:11—People that ride [bike] around this, run around it, row in this lake all the time never have any idea that there’s something that big under there. I caught that one ten feet off the bank. Your dog might have been swimming next to it—it’s bigger than your dog. [:01—laughs]

The team with the highest total catch weight went home winners.

:06—The Bates brothers with 550.69 pounds—congratulations on your ATC victory. [whoop]

That’s our show …made possible in part by the Sport Fish Restoration Program…working to increase fishing and boating opportunities in Texas.

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

Fort Richardson State Historic Site

State Parks: Fort Richardson Anniversary Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Fort Richardson played a vital role settling the Texas frontier. And we celebrate the146th anniversary of this outpost later this month. Our State Park Guide Bryan Frazier has details.

57 – For Richardson from the 1860s to the 1870s was one of the most significant outposts on the Texas frontier. You’re talking about being on the edge or, and in the heart of, Comancheria at the time. So, this particular outpost was responsible for helping ensure the safety of the settlers and the farmers and the ranchers that were there in the area. And it’s the 146th birthday of Ft. Richardson, which is in the city limits of Jacksboro, just north of Interstate 20, about an hour and thirty minutes west of Fort Worth. And they’re going to have all kinds of activities and re-enactors; soldiers from the 1860s and 70s in their full regalia on horseback, and cannons firing. And there will be cavalry, infantry and artillery troops. It’s just a great event. It’s going to be Friday and Saturday – the 12th & 13th of this month – to get out and see the living history event at Fort Richard State park and Historic Site.

Thanks, Bryan.

Find additional information at texasstateparks.org.

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.

Image, Chase A. Fountain, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

TPW TV: Wildland Fire Team Hide Player | Play in Popup | Download

Texas Parks and Wildlife is growing its Wildland Fire Team, made up of employees throughout the state. The TPW TV Series features the group this month. Producer, Abe Moore, has details.

54— We followed Kevin Ferguson who works at Kickapoo Cavern State park, and Robin Dabney, who works out at Dinosaur Valley State Park. They also do lots of prescribed burns, where they burn 5 to 10-thousand acres of parkland every year.

They’re able to handle some seriously stressful situations. Even when I was filming them doing the prescribed burn, I’m just walking along with my camera as the fire’s happening; all of a sudden I noticed my microphone started melting because it was so hot. And I’m running away from the fire, going ‘Okay; I don’t know what I’m doing. I better pay more attention here.’ And they’re just smooth as silk because they know how to handle the situation. It struck me that they really are prepared and well-trained.

The show airs the week of April 7 though 13.

Support provided by Ram Trucks. Doing what’s right and good regardless of the degree of difficulty — takes guts. Those are the people who build Ram trucks. RAM.

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