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Texas Parks & Wildlife on PBS and Cable

Airing Now and Coming Soon

July 5–12, 2009

Program 1711-R — Originally Aired January 4–11, 2009

Bringing back the Guadalupe Bass; land trusts and conservation easements help keep the land natural; freshwater fishing in Texas; see the influence of the CCC at Fort Parker State Park.

Details

• Restoring a Texas Treasure — The Guadalupe Bass lives in the cool running waters of the Texas Hill Country. But over the last few decades, competition from the popular small-mouth bass population has reduced the Guadalupe Bass to near extinction. Discover what fisheries biologists at the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center are doing to bring back the official state fish of Texas.
• Take Me Fishing: Freshwater Fishing — From ponds to lakes to rivers, freshwater fishing offers something for everyone.
• Fort Parker State Park — Water recreation is a popular pastime at Fort Parker State Park. Located less than an hour east of Waco, this park is a fishing and canoeing paradise, thanks in part to a dam built seventy years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
• In Land We Trust — Each year America loses more than a million acres of open space to urban development. Sprawling growth surrounding cities and towns in Texas threatens both farms and ranchlands. And it fractures wildlife habitat. But the growing land trust movement offers new hope for families interested in preserving their land.
• Postcard From Texas — Scenic views of the West Texas mountains.

July 12–19, 2009

Program 1712-R — Feeds July 12, 2009 — Originally Aired January 11–18, 2009

Meet the woman who spearheaded the effort to create the Big Thicket National Preserve; saltwater fishing in Texas; lots of options at Ray Roberts Lake State Park; drawing inspiration from Sandhill Cranes; Hill Country flora.

Details

• Epitaph — Geraldine Watson grew up in the forests of East Texas. As a plant ecologist and Ranger for the National Park Service, she played a major role in the creation of Big Thicket National Preserve. Now retired, she spends her energy restoring a remnant of the beautiful virgin forests of her childhood.
• Take Me Fishing: Saltwater Fishing — With hundreds of miles of coastline, Texas has excellent saltwater fishing.
• Ray Roberts Lake State Park — By horse, bike or boat, visit a large lakeside park in North Texas that has everything from primitive camping to luxury lodging.
• A Migrating Wonder — Texas is the winter home to the largest concentration of Sandhill Cranes in the world. Some spend the winter months in the Panhandle and High Plains while others head for the Texas coast. We’ll take you to some of the best spots to see Sandhill Cranes up close and learn more about these migrating wonders.
• Postcard From Texas — A picture of unspoiled Hill Country includes prickly plants, pretty flowers, and pristine vistas.

July 19–26, 2009

Program 1713-R — Feeds July 19, 2009 — Originally Aired January 18–25, 2009

Explore the Guadalupe River from beginning to end; the challenge of rock climbing; at the King Ranch, the wildlife shares top billing with the cattle; lost in the pines at Buescher State Park; foggy morning on Ray Roberts Lake.

Details

• Tracing a Texas River — The Guadalupe River travels from the Hill Country to the coast. This river has everything from trout to tubers. See how land managers, park rangers, research teams and game wardens help define one of Texas’ most popular rivers.
• Buescher State Park — From hiking to biking to fishing, Buescher State Park has all you need for the perfect weekend getaway.
• Lone Star Land Steward: King Ranch — Bigger than the state of Rhode Island, the King Ranch is a Texas icon. Most folks associate the name with cattle and oil, but the King Ranch also helped pass the country’s first game laws. Now wildlife and nature tourism account for a large share of King Ranch operations.
• A Personal Challenge — The sport of rock climbing is rapidly growing in Texas. With all the climbing opportunities from natural resources to indoor climbing areas, the thrill and competition level has reached new heights. Join us as we learn to climb at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
• Postcard From Texas — A foggy morning at Ray Roberts Lake State Park becomes a fine Fall afternoon.

July 26–August 2, 2009

Program 1714-R — Feeds July 26, 2009 — Originally Aired January 25–February 1, 2009

Successful pier fishing; escape the city at Huntsville State Park; creating a Big Bend museum; gently flowing water of a Hill Country creek; Panhandle ranch recovers from fire.

Details

• Fishing With Your Piers — Meet some fishing peers while fishing off of one. With piers up and down the Texas coast, you don't need to own a fancy boat or to even get your feet wet to enjoy saltwater fishing.
• Huntsville State Park — Located in the piney woods of East Texas, Huntsville State Park is an ideal place for campers, canoeists and hikers. And it’s just a short hop from busy I-45.
• Lone Star Land Steward: Seven Cross Ranch — After wildfire burned the entire Seven Cross Ranch in March of 2006, the range was rested until October 2007 to allow recovery. Cooperators with TPWD on lesser prairie chicken lek surveys and Texas Tech University on the study of post-wildfire effects, ranch owners L.H. and Nama are a testimony to stewardship and determination in the face of adversity.
• Gateway to The Desert — Witness the creation of the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center near Terilingua. We’ll follow the creative process from beginning to end. It takes a lot more work than you’d ever imagine.
• Postcard From Texas — West Verde Creek makes cool pools and small falls at Hill Country State Natural Area.

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