Passport to Texas

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

We’re on the threshold of summer, which means more Texans will be on the water…and they won’t be alone.

I‘m Sgt. Chopan with the police department with the Grand Prairie lake Patrol unit. I’m just wanting to check to make sure you have all your safety equipment on board. You have your life jacket?

Lake Police, like Sgt. Chris Chopan, and Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens will be on the water, too.

Lake patrol is sometimes is good because the public likes to see you, whereas when I’m driving in a car they usually don’t want to see me.

Everyone aboard a boat must wear a life jacket.

Do you take the dog out often? Yeah, we’ve got three of them and they all have life vests. Sometimes, it’s amazing, you know, they’ll put life jackets on their dogs, but they won’t put life jackets on their kids.

Even people in the water need to think safety first.

Not safe for you to be here, No good. No bueno. Too many boats. Twenty-four feet of water, no life jacket, inflatable swim ring, and we wonder why we have to come pick them up later. I’m almost tempted to pick him up and get him out of there – what do you think? This is not illegal probably, but it sure is dumb.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof. Play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun. Visit passporttotexas.org to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program..funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Boater Safety: Lake Patrol Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

It’s illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; the consequences of doing so can be devastating. Just ask Kay Rock.

At three o’clock in the morning, my husband and I were awakened by a policeman and a chaplain knocking at our front door. As soon as I saw them, I knew it was something bad. And the only question I had was, which child is it?

The accident happened several years ago, when the boat carrying Kay Rock’s 22 year old daughter was struck from behind. The driver of the other boat had been drinking at a lakeside bar…and in an instant, Debbie Rock’s name joined a growing list of boating fatalities.

And, I’m sorry, but this is kind of a hard part. Is that Debbie was not just a number on a court docket; and she was not just a number on the coroner’s report. She was a real, real person. And she had a lot to give. And that is one of the reasons that I want to stress the fact that bad things happen to really great people, and they don’t have to.

Remember: Nobody’s Waterproof. Play it safe on the water this summer and still have a boatload of fun. Visit passporttotexas.org to find more information about boating safety.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Sport Fish Restoration Program…funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuel…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

Boating Safety: A Mother's Story Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

Working with boating safety educator Jack Dyess, Ron Kabele, a writer/producer with the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series, created a segment that will make everyone think twice about before getting on the water.

I was trying to come up with an idea of how to present boating safety. And then Jack told me that, ‘well, you know you go out on the fourth of July, and there are going to be about two dozen people who die on that day from different kids of accidents, and one of them is boating accidents.’ One of the things he said was that you can reduce the chance of a fatality in your boat by eighty percent simply by putting on a life jacket.

I have never, nor do I know anyone who has ever, retrieved a drowning victim who was wearing a life jacket. Not once. Not one of the people thought that they were going to drown that day. Not one of them thought that they were going to need a life jacket. But they’re just as dead. If you want to reduce the odds of there being a fatality on your boat by eighty percent, all you have to do is require that everyone put on a life jacket.

And these days the life jackets aren’t those red, bulky, ugly things…the new generation life jackets…they’re very lightweight and they expand when they hit the water. So you can be safe and it not really affect your having fun. There’s really no excuse anymore for not wearing a life jacket.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Television series airs on PBS stations. Check your local listings.

That’s our show for today… with support from the Support Fish Restoration Program…funded by our purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuels. For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

TPWD TV -- Boater Safety Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

The July issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine is on newsstands now. And we get a preview with Associate Publisher, Charles Lohrmann.

July is our water issue. In recent years we’ve done bays, rivers, springs, and wetlands. This year’s water issue is about lakes. And in Texas that means man made reservoirs, except for Caddo Lake, which most people agree is the only natural lake in the state of Texas. And we’re lucky to have a funny and engaging article about Caddo and its history by Barbara Rodriguez.

So, we cover a little bit about lake culture and lake issues. And it’s another aspect about the water issue, which is essential to us here in Texas.

Thank you, Charles.

That’s our show…visit us online at passporttotexas.org… to listen to shows and to share your favorite outdoor story.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

July Magazine Preview Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Work on your camping and hiking skills during an advanced backpacking program at Purtis Creek State Park, southwest of DFW. It’s a chance for kids and adults to get out and play… regardless of experience.

It’s a program for individuals of families that are interested in backpacking who may or may not have some previous experience. It’ll allow them to develop some skills on a short hike with an experienced leader. Purtis Creek State Park backpack trails offer a wide variety of trees and plants, and also opportunities to see some abundant wildlife, including beavers, Blue Heron, and some Egrets.

Lisa Male, Park Interpreter, tells us more about the event.

The hike is about a mile and it’s a pretty much level hike. Sites are wooded and they all have access to the lake. Bring all the necessary equipment, such as the backpack, camping stove, food, sleeping bag, tent. Our overnight program will be based on the “Leave No Trace” program. It’s designed to give visitors and opportunity to develop a respect for nature and wildlife.

This outing will provide the foundation and experience you need for future outdoor adventures.

We just want to encourage people to come out and take advantage of this program. It’s a great opportunity for people to gain some basic skills so that they can progress into more adventurous environments.

The advanced backpacking program is June 16th & 17th, and reservations are required. Find complete details about the program, including cost at passporttotexas.org.

That’s our show for today…with research and writing help from Loren Seeger…For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti

June 16–17, 2007 — Purtis Creek SP — Advanced Backpacking — Bring backpack, tent, food, stove and all other necessary items for overnight campout. After a short review of equipment, go on a ranger-led hike into the backpack trails to spend the night in our primitive sites. Overnight program will focus on Leave No Trace camping. Hike is up to 1.5 miles. Equipment list available by contacting the park. 4 p.m. Saturday-9 a.m. Sunday; call for fees; reservations required (903) 425-2332.

Backpacking Program Play Now | Play in Popup | Download