Texas -

March 29–April 5, 2009

Program 1723 — Repeats September 27–October 4, 2009

The Fourth of July weekend at Garner State Park; towering dunes at Monahans Sandhills State Park; innovative Tierra Verde Golf Club proves that golf courses can blend with the environment; using frontier history to prepare for the future; Texas shorebirds.

Details

• A Fuentes Family Fourth — Garner State Park is full of visitors all summer long, but the holiday weekends are especially busy. Meet a group of family and friends that have been dealing with the crowds on the Fourth of July at Garner for 19 straight years, and have loved every minute of it.
• Monahans Sandhills State Park — A half-hour’s drive west of Odessa is the sandiest park in Texas, and it’s hundreds of miles away from the coast.
• Lone Star Land Steward: Tierra Verde Golf Club — The manicured lawns of a typical golf course seem far removed from natural wildlife habitat. The innovative Tierra Verde Golf Club in Arlington was designed with wildlife habitat in mind and has been certified by Audubon International for its environmentally friendly design.
• Moving Forward, Looking Back — History can play a valuable role in the lives of young people, showing the courage, strength and wisdom of those who have come before them. In Lockhart, a group of high school students are combining research and creative writing to learn about the hardships faced by frontier settlers.
• Postcard From Texas — Shorebirds feed and frolic along the Texas coast

April 5–12, 2009

Program 1724 — Feeds April 5, 2009 — Repeats October 4–11, 2009

Controlling invasive plants; springtime beauty at Lost Maples; the changing roles of game wardens; restoration of the 'worst ranchland' in Blanco County.

Details

• When Plants Attack — Just because it’s pretty, doesn’t mean it’s good. Some common landscape plants are escaping our yards and causing problems for native plants and wildlife. Find out how to fight the invasion and grow “green” in more ways than one.
• Lost Maples State Natural Area — Famous for its fall colors, Lost Maples State Natural Area seems to get overlooked much of the rest of the year. But from the spring wildflowers to the summer birds, there’s plenty to see and do here along the banks of the Sabinal River, all year round.
• Lone Star Land Steward: Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve — Since 1969 J. David and Margaret Bamberger have worked to restore “the worst piece of ranchland in Blanco County” to the model of land stewardship that it is today. Rangeland improvement, spring restoration, and habitat enhancement are just part of what have made this Hill Country property a showcase of conservation management.
• Fitting In, Standing Out — Today’s Texas game wardens have dual roles as enforcement officers and educators. Meet one East Texas warden whose involvement with the kids in her community not only helps change their lives, but enriches her as well.
• Postcard From Texas — Colorful dragonflies on display.

April 12–19, 2009

Program 1725 — Feeds April 12, 2009 — Repeats October 11–18, 2009

Bringing back Lavaca Bay; CCC history at Lake Brownwood State Park; beginning camping; access and preservation at Hueco Tanks; forest fungi.

Details

• Lavaca Bay, the $130,000,000 Lesson — In the 1980’s, fishing in Lavaca Bay was all but closed when deadly levels of contamination were found in the surrounding waters. Today, over twenty years and a hundred million dollars later, the clean-up is almost complete. We’ll tell you how government agencies and private industry set aside their differences ... all for the good of the bay.
• Lake Brownwood State Park — Near the geographical center of Texas, this park offers an atmosphere of rustic beauty and tranquility with hiking, camping, boating and fishing opportunities. Many structures in use today were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930’s from timber and native rock found in the park.
• Outdoor Info: Outdoor Family Workshop — Never been camping, or haven’t been camping in a while? The Texas Outdoor Family Workshop is an easy and inexpensive way to learn everything you need to know about camping.
• Hueco Tanks — Hueco Tanks State Historic Site is home to some of the most magnificent Native American Rock Art in the country. We’ll show you what is being done to help preserve this piece of history, while still allowing access to hikers and rock climbers.
• Postcard From Texas — Fungi of the forest take on different shapes and colors.

April 19–26, 2009

Program 1726 — Feeds April 19, 2009 — Repeats October 18–25, 2009

Neighborhood fishing program hopes to get kids hooked on the outdoors; towering dunes at Monahans Sandhills State Park; volunteers save the day at Pedernales State Park; mesquite trees; golden sunset at Lake Ray Roberts.

Details

• Casting Call — How do you get kids out of the house, and away from the television, it’s a concern for all parents. Texas Parks & Wildlife has a new neighborhood fishing program that should help. In cities throughout Texas local lakes and ponds are stocked with fish so the kids are sure to get a bite, and hopefully they’ll get hooked on the outdoors.
• Eisenhower State Park — At Eisenhower State Park it’s all about the water. Campsites sit high on the bluffs overlooking Lake Texoma. Boaters flock to the park’s marina and ramps. Swimmers enjoy lake access by land and by boat. Even hikers eventually end up taking a cool dip in the refreshing waters that make this park special.
• Wild Things: Mesquite Trees — This spiney, sprawling tree is native to Texas, but it’s much more widespread that it once was. Is it a nuisance or a great grilling tool?
• A Day at Pedernales — Pedernales State Park is no different than any other park – too much stuff to do and not enough people to do it. But thanks to a group of volunteers, the work gets done and park visitors are the ones who benefit. You’ll meet some of these “park helpers”, and find out why they are so incredibly enthusiastic about doing work that can at times be a little mundane.
• Postcard From Texas — Golden hues surround Lake Ray Roberts as the sun sets.

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