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Texas Parks & Wildlife on PBS and Cable
Airing Now and Coming Soon

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September 6–13, 2009
Program 1720-R — Originally Aired March 8–15, 2009

Understanding Pecos River rock art; floating fun at Village Creek State Park; learning ‘natural’ communication skills; balancing water and wildlife on the Stumberg Ranch; Port Aransas sunset.

Details:

Window to the Past: Pecos River Rock Art — Elaborate artwork adorns prehistoric cliff shelters in and around Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site, but has the meaning of these mysterious images been lost to the millennia? Join artist and anthropologist Carolyn Boyd as she works to unravel the significance of Lower Pecos Rock Art to Texans past and present.

Village Creek State Park — North of Beaumont on the edge of the Big Thicket National Preserve sits Village Creek State Park. This quiet park is the perfect getaway with lush forests, winding trails, and secluded camping. But the best part is the creek itself. Join us as we float down the calm and remote Village Creek.
The Brigades — Don’t let the name fool you: the “Bass Brigade” moniker is just a guise to teach these teenagers how to communicate. From creating Power Point presentations to practicing their public speaking, these youngsters are learning the skills to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Lone Star Land Steward: W.R. Stumberg Ranch — The Stumberg Ranch has been in the family since the 1920's. During dry years, grazing is reduced by 70 percent, and cattle are removed completely during prolonged drought. Since 2002, the ranch has implemented about 10,000 acres of brush management to control tarbush, creosote, mesquite and juniper. Achievements include increased mule deer weights and a doubling of the population since 2002.

Postcard From Texas — An evening sunset at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas.

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September 13–20, 2009
Program 1721-R — Feeds September 13, 2009 — Originally Aired March 15–22, 2009

Hurricane Ike impacts the lives and work of TPWD employees; Seguin’s concrete house; WHF members lead the way in conservation; understanding the science of deer; new life in nature.

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Taken By Storm — Hurricane Ike left a lasting impact on the upper Texas coast and on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employees working in the area. See how this massive storm altered some of the employees’ lives and left two parks catastrophically damaged, but never dampened the resilient nature of these TPWD employees.

Sebastopol House State Historic Site — A concrete nut and a concrete house are just a few of the sites to be seen in Sequin. Explore this striking 150 year-old home, in the heart of this unique central Texas town.

Lone Star Land Steward: Wildlife Habitat Federation — The Wildlife Habitat Federation was formed in 2004 to assist landowners in restoring and conserving wildlife in South Central Texas. WHF members are leading the way in restoring native grasses and showing landowners the economic and wildlife values associated with restoration and management of native grasslands.

Buck Fever — “Buck Fever” is a condition afflicting both deer hunters and wildlife biologists. And after 25 years of studies, we have learned so much more about how habitat and diet contribute to a healthy herd.

Postcard From Texas — Spectacular views of newborn alligators, spiders and other Texas animals.

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September 20–27, 2009
Program 1722-R — Feeds September 20, 2009 — Originally Aired March 22–29, 2009

Discover the Texas Clipper, the state’s newest artificial reef; getting started as a certified diver; relive the history of the Texas Clipper; reef fish.

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Final Port of Call — The ship was christened the Queens and was built to invade Japan during WWII. Then she became one of the world’s first air conditioned cruise liners. Then Texas A&M University acquired her and she became the training vessel the Aggie Clipper. Now she rests on the ocean floor off the Texas coast as an artificial reef and as a scuba divers adventure destination.

Outdoor Info: How to Become a Scuba Diver — Have you ever wanted to know what’s involved in getting your scuba license? It’s not that difficult.

An Ocean Oasis — When the Aggie Clipper sunk off the Texas coast in 2007, Texas Parks & Wildlife hoped they would be creating a new home for lots of sea life. What they didn’t know was just how fast the sea life would take to this artificial reef. And more than the ecology of Texas is benefiting from this sunken ship, the economy in South Texas is being helped as well.

Postcard From Texas — Enjoy the fish life onboard the sunken Texas Clipper.

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September 27–October 4, 2009
Program 1723-R — Feeds September 27, 2009 — Originally Aired March 29–April 5, 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.

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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

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