Austin -

Texas Parks & Wildlife on PBS and Cable

Airing Now and Coming Soon

September 20–27, 2009

Program 1722-R — 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.

Details

• 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.

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.

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

October 4–11, 2009

Program 1724-R — Feeds October 4, 2009 — Originally Aired April 5–12, 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.

October 11–18, 2009

Program 1725-R — Feeds October 11, 2009 — Originally Aired April 12–19, 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.

Read original story