Austin, Texas -
February 1–8, 2009
Program 1715 — Repeats August 2–9, 2009
Remembering the Buffalo Soldiers; jump right in at Blanco State Park; the art of the wooden boat; timber and wildlife management working together; Smith Oaks rookery.
Details
- The Unknown Army — The Buffalo Soldiers helped settle the west, but for many years their contributions were largely overlooked. Meet one man who is determined to teach this often forgotten chapter of history to today’s eager students.
- Blanco State Park — This park was used as a campsite for early explorers and settlers. Today people come to enjoy the swimming, tubing, and canoeing in the Blanco River.
- The Boat Builder — Houston architect Skip Johnson’s hobby is both a craft and an art. Skip builds wooden kayaks that would be right at home in an art gallery, but are built for the water. Follow along as Skip designs, builds, and finally paddles his latest creation, the ‘Bionic Log’.
- Lone Star Land Steward: Mustang Prairie Tree Farm — Timber and wildlife management are key goals for Mustang Prairie Tree Farm. Native prairie has been restored on a portion of the property, improving the habitat for eastern wild turkey and grassland birds. In addition, the owners are preserving an important Native American site dating back 5,000 years.
- Postcard From Texas — Nesting season is underway at the rookery at Smith Oaks near High Island, Texas
February 8–15, 2009
Program 1716 — Feeds February 8, 2009 — Repeats August 9–16, 2009
Island restoration in Galveston Bay; chasing elusive South Texas gobblers; lakeside leisure at Lake Colorado City State Park; habitat improvements help the Baker Ranch flourish.
Details
- A New North Deer — North Deer Island near Galveston is the largest bird rookery island on the Upper Texas Coast, and it is shrinking. Erosion from waves has pounded the island for years. See what’s being done to preserve the island and protect it for the thousands of birds that nest on North Deer every year.
- Lake Colorado City State Park — The slightly rolling plains of west central Texas are covered in scrubs like mesquite and juniper. Lake Colorado City is a cool contrast to the arid environment. Visitors from nearby cities like Abilene and Midland come to Lake Colorado City State Park to enjoy the best water recreation spot for miles around.
- Playing the Turkey Game — Hunting turkey in Texas can be like a game of chess; it’s all about making the right moves. Follow along as a group of hunters gets out-smarted by these elusive gobblers again and again.
- Lone Star Land Steward: Baker Ranch — The Baker Ranch has been in the cow-calf business for over 65 years. Conservative stocking rates, rotational grazing, prescribed burning and selective brush management are some of the practices employed to create diverse wildlife habitat. Ronnie Baker has been instrumental in the development of the Guadalupe County Wildlife Management Association, hosting field days and organizing deer census counts benefiting association members.
- Postcard From Texas — Explore the deep woods of East Texas.
February 15–22, 2009
Program 1717 — Feeds February 15, 2009 — Repeats August 16–23, 2009
Big cat, little cat, tasty cat — catfish that is; Cedar Hill State Park is just a short hop from the DFW Metroplex; bald eagle surgery; seeing stars from the top of the Davis Mountains; puffy clouds.
Details
- Fishing for Cats — Catfish are the largest freshwater sport fish in Texas and are second only to bass in popularity among anglers. They are also quite popular on the dinner table, but for many, the fun is in getting them there.
- Bald Eagle Surgery — When a bald eagle is found with a fractured wing, rescuers jump into action to try and save the suffering bird.
- Cedar Hill State Park — Only minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Cedar Hill State Park is an urban nature preserve of over 1800 acres. The park provides the visitor with miles of shoreline on Joe Pool Lake for water recreation, camping, superb mountain biking trails, bird watching, and much more. Don’t miss the historic Penn Farm which affords a glimpse into the history of the family farm.
- Window to the Universe — The wide open desert of West Texas is an ideal place for stargazing, a fact not lost on astronomers from around the world. Visit the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains, a window to the universe.
- Postcard From Texas — Puffy clouds precede an approaching storm.
February 22–March 1, 2009
Program 1718 — Feeds February 22, 2009 — Repeats August 23–30, 2009
Saving Texas shorebirds; hitch your horse at the Hill Country State Natural Area; new life for old Liberty Ships; photographer Chase Fountain; hunting, tourism and outreach on a Texas ranch.
Details
- Shorebirds — Texas shorebirds are in trouble. From the endangered Piping plover to the threatened Snowy plover, shorebirds in Texas continue to lose habitat as beach development on the coast booms. Follow along with some biologists as they to save these struggling shorebirds.
- Hill Country State Natural Area — Hitch your horse in the rugged beauty of Hill Country State Natural Area. It may be only 45 miles from San Antonio, but civilization seems so far away.
- Liberty Ships, Artificial Reefs — The Liberty Ships of World War II served our country during a time of need. Today, they’re serving as artificial reefs off the Texas coast, providing habitat for marine life, research areas for scientists, and new opportunities for anglers.
- Lone Star Land Steward: Stasney’s Cook Ranch — Good grazing management, selective brush control, prescribed burning, quality hunting, nature-based tourism and community outreach are cornerstones of Stasney's Cook Ranch operations. Operating under a wildlife management plan, the ranch provides quality hunting for white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, turkeys and waterfowl. The ranch also hosts birders and wildlife photographers and offers guest quarters constructed as replicas of officers quarters at historic military forts along the Texas Forts Trail.
- Postcard From Texas — A collection of images from Texas Parks & Wildlife photographer Chase Fountain.
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