Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Born in Austin, with his formative years spent on his family’s farm and ranch, Carter Smith, Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife, says he grew up with “one foot in the city and one in the country.” This early foundation serves him well today as he leads the agency on its mission to manage and conserve our natural and cultural resources.

My interest in the out of doors is really shaped by those experiences as a youth. And when I was growing up, all my friends had the privilege of having places that their families still farmed or ranched. And that has increasingly become more of an anomaly, and something that I think we as an agency are very concerned about. People are more disconnected from the out of doors.

And, ultimately, through those experiences growing up, and also, really, with encounters with Texas Parks and Wildlife employees. A couple of wildlife biologists introduced me to the fact that I could make this passion my profession. And so, that was a great epiphany, or “ah-ha” moment that has ultimately lead me to where I am today.

Learn more about Carter Smith and the great Texas outdoors at passporttotexas.org.

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

Texas Parks & Wildlife People: Carter Smith Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Born in Austin, with his formative years spent on his family’s farm and ranch, Carter Smith, Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife, says he grew up with “one foot in the city and one in the country.” This early foundation serves him well today as he leads the agency on its mission to manage and conserve our natural and cultural resources.

My interest in the out of doors is really shaped by those experiences as a youth. And when I was growing up, all my friends had the privilege of having places that their families still farmed or ranched. And that has increasingly become more of an anomaly, and something that I think we as an agency are very concerned about. People are more disconnected from the out of doors.

And, ultimately, through those experiences growing up, and also, really, with encounters with Texas Parks and Wildlife employees. A couple of wildlife biologists introduced me to the fact that I could make this passion my profession. And so, that was a great epiphany, or “ah-ha” moment that has ultimately lead me to where I am today.

Learn more about Carter Smith and the great Texas outdoors at passporttotexas.org.

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

Texas Parks & Wildlife People: Carter Smith Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge are popular destinations for travelers.

We’re just about a mile high in elevation, so very good climate all year round. We have mountain biking, and equestrian trails, and miles and miles of hiking trails. And Indian Lodge, it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930s. Anyway, the lodge has 39 rooms, and it was done in Indian pueblo style, and it’s the only place in Texas that is in that style.

David Bischofhausen (BISH-hoff_howzen) is park superintendent. New funding provided by the Texas Legislature will allow the park to hire new staff.

We’re getting a park peace officer / interpreter position at Davis Mountains SP so, we’re excited about that. We’ll be able to do more interpretive programs to tell folks about the wonderful cultural and natural things that we have out here in our parks. Plus, it’ll get a little more extra measure of security.

This cash infusion benefits the Black Bear restaurant at Indian Lodge, too.

Because of the extra money we received, we’re able to hire an assistant food service manager, and another dishwasher, which is desperately needed. We’re trying to pick up our service in food a notch, and provide better customer service.

Proposition 4 monies make possible repairs to historic buildings, constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Learn more about Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge at passporttotexas.org.

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

Getting Better all the Time: Davis Mountains SP Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Not all wildlife is in the wilderness, and this month Texas Parks and Wildlife television series viewers meet urban biologists. Writer / producer, Alan Fisher gives us the scoop.

You know, when you think about Texas wildlife, you probably don’t really think about the urban—the big cities: Dallas, Houston, El Paso. But, in fact, there are half a dozen biologists who are assigned to these areas in the state. And, it’s very different depending on what city you’re talking about.

In Houston, I met a biologist who was responsible for helping the city develop an urban bat colony as a tourist attraction. There is a large number of bats that live under a downtown bridge, and people are now getting to go watch them fly out in the evenings and learn more about bats.

There are 250-thousand to 300-thousand bats that are under the bridge; we think some do migrate, but there are some that stay.

In El Paso, I was out with a biologist there, who got a call about a mountain lion sighting and had to go investigate.

(door slams shut, truck engine starts) We definitely have mountain lions. So, that’s why I go to investigate.

If you live in an urban area of Texas, while we encourage you to get outside the city limits, you don’t necessarily have to, to see wildlife. It’s true. There are a lot of viewing opportunities right in your own backyard.

The Texas parks and Wildlife TV series airs on PBS stations statewide. Check your local listings.

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

TP&W TV--Urban Biologists Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Not all wildlife is in the wilderness, and this month Texas Parks and Wildlife television series viewers meet urban biologists. Writer / producer, Alan Fisher gives us the scoop.

You know, when you think about Texas wildlife, you probably don’t really think about the urban—the big cities: Dallas, Houston, El Paso. But, in fact, there are half a dozen biologists who are assigned to these areas in the state. And, it’s very different depending on what city you’re talking about.

In Houston, I met a biologist who was responsible for helping the city develop an urban bat colony as a tourist attraction. There is a large number of bats that live under a downtown bridge, and people are now getting to go watch them fly out in the evenings and learn more about bats.

There are 250-thousand to 300-thousand bats that are under the bridge; we think some do migrate, but there are some that stay.

In El Paso, I was out with a biologist there, who got a call about a mountain lion sighting and had to go investigate.

(door slams shut, truck engine starts) We definitely have mountain lions. So, that’s why I go to investigate.

If you live in an urban area of Texas, while we encourage you to get outside the city limits, you don’t necessarily have to, to see wildlife. It’s true. There are a lot of viewing opportunities right in your own backyard.

The Texas parks and Wildlife TV series airs on PBS stations statewide. Check your local listings.

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

TP&W TV--Urban Biologists Play Now | Play in Popup | Download