Passport to Texas

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Introduce youngsters to photography this spring break as a fun and affordable way to get them interested in nature and the outdoors.

I believe that all children have a basic connection with the outdoors and I do feel that photography is a good way to develop that bond. It can really enhance that experience altogether.

Texas Parks and Wildlife photographer Chase Fountain says picture taking is a great way for kids to record and enhance their experiences in nature.

Let’s say you’re out and about and you’re on a family vacation… that’s a great way for you to be able to record those memories and take them back with you. With today’s technology and digital
cameras only starting at $20, it’s affordable for almost any family to buy cameras for the kids and let them experience nature.

The key to getting kids outside is to find something that makes going outdoors sound like more fun than indoors.

As far as utilizing photography… you know every kid is different and maybe some kids won’t like photography, but for some that might just be the proper tool to get them outdoors.

Visit passporttotexas.org for more ideas for getting your kids engaged in the outdoors.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Alanna Jones… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.
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Links to help connect your kids with nature and photography:
http://www.forestwander.com/news/2008/01/28/young-nature-photo-competition-winners/
http://www.adobe.com/education/digkids/tips/photo/nature.html
http://www.betterphoto.com/photography-for-kids.asp
http://www.biglearning.org/treasure-photography-for-kids.htm

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration program

You get to learn a lot about Texas when you watch the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series. Series producer Don Cash.

One of the places we feature is San Felipe Springs in Del Rio , Texas. And people have put their algae eating catfish from their aquariums in the water. And this is an exotic species, and they do have a detrimental affect.

The sucker mouth catfish has really taken over; this population basically went exponential. Literally hundreds of thousands of fish here. More than any other fish in this creek. Maybe more than all the other fish put together.

We always hit a state park in every show. In march, one of the places we go is Purtis Creek State Park, which is near Athens, Texas. And one of the things that they’ve got going now is a canoe tour.

We had an excellent response to canoe tours. You know, you can go to the zoo and you can see snakes and different wildlife. But out here, you’re seeing nature as it really is.

One of the other parks we go to is Ray Roberts Lake State Park, which is north of Denton. And Ray Roberts Lake is a 30-thousand acre lake. And the SP is actually, two major parks and six smaller parks and a greenbelt and an equestrian trail…

I’ve been riding here for about ten years. And the trails are beyond belief in their natural beauty.

So you don’t really just go to one park. It’s like you’ve got four or five or six parks to go to.

That’s our show with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TP&W TV - March Highlights Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish Restoration program

You get to learn a lot about Texas when you watch the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series. Series producer Don Cash.

One of the places we feature is San Felipe Springs in Del Rio , Texas. And people have put their algae eating catfish from their aquariums in the water. And this is an exotic species, and they do have a detrimental affect.

The sucker mouth catfish has really taken over; this population basically went exponential. Literally hundreds of thousands of fish here. More than any other fish in this creek. Maybe more than all the other fish put together.

We always hit a state park in every show. In march, one of the places we go is Purtis Creek State Park, which is near Athens, Texas. And one of the things that they’ve got going now is a canoe tour.

We had an excellent response to canoe tours. You know, you can go to the zoo and you can see snakes and different wildlife. But out here, you’re seeing nature as it really is.

One of the other parks we go to is Ray Roberts Lake State Park, which is north of Denton. And Ray Roberts Lake is a 30-thousand acre lake. And the SP is actually, two major parks and six smaller parks and a greenbelt and an equestrian trail…

I’ve been riding here for about ten years. And the trails are beyond belief in their natural beauty.

So you don’t really just go to one park. It’s like you’ve got four or five or six parks to go to.

That’s our show with support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

TP&W TV - March Highlights Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Whether you’re a native Texan or got here as soon as you could…the place to be on Saturday and Sunday, March first and second is Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site–the “Birthplace of Texas,” where we’ll be celebrating 172 years of Texas Independence.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site honors the 59 men who met there in March 1836 to declare Texas a free and independent nation.

Throughout the weekend historical re-enactors, skilled artisans and period musicians will transport visitors back to a time when Texas was a struggling young nation.

In addition, a special ceremony will be held Sunday afternoon honoring Texas’ past and present ending with a Texas sized birthday cake. Maybe it won’t really be as big as Texas, but it’ll get pretty darned close.

Because it’s a party, tour fees will be waived on this special weekend so all Texans—as well as those who simply love the Lone Star State–can learn about our common heritage.

So, make plans to be in Washington, Texas, at Washington-on-the-Brazos Saturday and Sunday, March 1 & 2, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days to celebrate Texas Independence …at the “Birthplace of Texas.”

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

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Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program

After whetting their appetite for the outdoors during a Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop, many women seek outdoors opportunities closer to home. The Texas Outdoor Women’s Network, or T.O.W.N., provides an outlet for nature loving women to connect.

It has increased my knowledge, my confidence and my friends.

Susan LaMere, coordinator of the Fort Worth Chapter of T.O.W.N, says women benefit when they find friends who share interest in the outdoors.

I’m a personal trainer, so in my opinion, being active period is a benefit and I think that lot of people don’t want to exercise by themselves. They may not go out and ride their bikes but they may go out with other people. One in particular, she’s 60 years old and she did not know how to ride a bike two years ago. One of the other women in the group taught her how to ride the bike and now, you know, she just loves it.

LaMere believes T.O.W.N. allows women to try new things while making close connections.

It’s a ready made group of people who are going to accept you for who you are, you know, whatever you want to do. I say over the past few years, some of these people have become very close friends of mine.

LaMere says that the group is open to any woman interested in learning.

We just want to expose people to the outdoors.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Kate Lipinski… we receive support from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program… working to increase fishing, hunting, shooting and boating opportunities in Texas. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

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