TPW Television 2021-2022 Season

Microfishing, Bat Battles, Guadalupe River

Program 3001 - October 10-16, 2021, and April 10-16, 2022

Microfishing, Bat Battles, Guadalupe River

In the first show of the 37th season, put on a mask and snorkel and explore the tiny, underwater world of microfishing, Visit Guadalupe River State Park to camp under the trees, take a bike ride, and find some fun for the whole family. Enjoy a...

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Most anglers go after the big fish, but a growing group of fish fanciers like to dive into local streams and springs to target the tiny. Welcome to the small, fascinating, underwater world of microfishing.

Bat biologists climb deep into culverts to fight the deadly White-nose Syndrome. It's a new spray away concept that they hope will save a rare Texas bat species.

Visit Guadalupe River State Park to camp under the trees, swim, take a bike ride, and find some fun for the whole family.

If you're looking for an alternative to the mainstream, take a ride down the Sabine Sandbar Paddling Trail. Hidden deep in East Texas, this meandering trail is a great place to find some peace and quiet.

A morning in the swamp at North Toledo Bend Wildlife Management Area.

Shrimping Life, Brazos Bend, Big-Eared Bats

Program 3002 - October 17-23, 2021, and April 17-23, 2022

Shrimping Life, Brazos Bend, Big-Eared Bats

Spend some time on a shrimp boat with a family that has been working Texas waters for decades. Visit Brazos Bend State Park for hiking, biking, and stargazing, and keep an eye out for the alligators. An abandoned house in the woods proves the perfect...

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Shrimping is and has always been a way of life for the Stringo family. Five generations of Stringos have shrimped the Gulf and Bays of Texas. But times are tough, and while most of the family has given up, there is one Stringo still on the water.

Known as a nature-lover's paradise, the diverse ecosystems of Brazos Bend State Park attract equally diverse people from the nearby metropolis of Houston. Learn about some of the things visitors enjoy doing at this popular state park.

Meet a man in Utopia who helps save souls, when he isn't helping save lasting mementos of hunting and fishing trips.

Get an up-close look at a bat few folks ever get to see. Travel to east Texas and visit the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, to catch a glimpse of the rare Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat.

Bobwhite Quail cool off and chow-down in a Panhandle cotton field.

Starry Skies, Brushy Creek, Spooky Wildlife

Program 3003 - October 24-30, 2021, and April 24-30, 2022

Starry Skies, Brushy Creek, Spooky Wildlife

Witness the wonders of West Texas' starry skies and meet the educator working to keep them that way. Neighbors team together to manage over 10,000 acres to benefit eastern wild turkey and further their restoration in East Texas. See some of the...

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The Davis Mountains have some of the best views in the world for stargazing. Meet an astronomer working to keep away light pollution and protect the dark skies of West Texas.

Meet some neighbors who team up for turkey work. The Brushy Creek Co-op in East Texas consists of over 10,000 acres that provide habitat for Eastern wild turkey, helping restore the birds in East Texas.

From his youth as a migrant worker, a man cultivates his passion for nature into a career as an outdoor artist. Meet Clemente Guzman, whose personal story is as inspiring as his artwork.

A copperhead slithering around your backyard is just about the last thing you would want to run into. Well, imagine hundreds of copperheads spreading across your back forty. That’s exactly what's happening to one Texas landowner. He used to eliminate them, but now he saves the snakes for science.

See a few more creepy critters you might find on a walk in East Texas.

Bayou City, Park Barkers, Martin Creek Lake

Program 3004 - October 31-November 6, 2021, and May 1- 7, 2022

Bayou City, Park Barkers, Martin Creek Lake

Meet some of Houston's most dedicated bayou conservationists, striving to keep a city and its watery wilderness in better balance. Hit the trail with some furry friends at Franklin Mountains State Park and learn how to keep canine companions safe...

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Meet some of Houston's most dedicated bayou conservationists, learn about issues the bayou ecosystem has faced over the past century, and see some hope for keeping an urban area and its watery wilderness in balance.

Take a hike with a dozen dogs through Franklin Mountains State Park and learn some tips for keeping your canine companion comfortable and safe on the trail.

Fall is a great time to head outdoors in East Texas. At Martin Creek Lake State Park the fall foliage draws campers, hikers, and anglers to this heavily wooded park on a 5000 acre lake.

A rainy day doesn't seem to bother the birds of Houston Audubon's Smith Oaks Sanctuary.

Deer Dividends on Opening Day, Looking After Land

Program 3005 - November 7-13, 2021, and May 8-14, 2022

Deer Dividends on Opening Day, Looking After Land

Residents of many small Texas towns look forward to deer hunting season, for the time it brings with friends and family, as well as for the economic boost hunting brings to local businesses. See how one community comes alive when hunters arrive. Meet...

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Hunting is not only a tradition in small towns across Texas, it is also an important part of the local economy. The people of Goldthwaite, Texas look forward to deer season as quality time with friends and family, and as a time when hunters spend vital dollars in the town's stores, gas stations and restaurants. Travel to Goldthwaite for the opening weekend of deer season to see how this quiet community comes alive when the hunters arrive.

The story of the Pigfoot Ranch is not one of stark before and after, but rather of a long-time legacy of excellent land stewardship. Dating back to 1885, the Head Family has worked to preserve Pigfoot’s pristine native prairie savannas and its crystal-clear creeks.

Like so much of the Central Texas Hill Country, Mills County is a great place to find white-tailed deer.

San Pedro Ranch, Winter Trout, Texas Quail

Program 3006 - November 14-20, 2021, and May 15-21, 2022

San Pedro Ranch, Winter Trout, Texas Quail

A rich ranching history is sustained on the San Pedro Ranch, where management decisions are made to make the most of every raindrop. Winter stocking of rainbow trout in the Guadalupe River is a much-anticipated annual event. See how habitat loss has...

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In the southwestern borderlands of Texas, the San Pedro Ranch has a rich history and ranching tradition, kept alive since 1932 by the Fitzsimons and Howard families. Today this 23,000 acre ranch is managed for cattle and a diverse wildlife population, in balance with a habitat that can be both harsh and delicate. On the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, drought is an expectation, so the San Pedro Ranch works to make the most of every raindrop.

The annual winter stocking of rainbow trout in the Guadalupe River is a much-anticipated event. Check out some of the best spots to go to catch these feisty freshwater fish.

Texas has long been known for its robust quail populations, but habitat loss has impacted all four quail species in the state. Though their homes range from desert floodplain and brush land to prairie grasslands, these quail species need native habitat to thrive. Find out how researchers, non-profits, landowners and land managers are working together to keep quail numbers healthy statewide.

Enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water and the breeze in the cypress trees at Guadalupe River State Park.

Lost Lizards Return, Angler Access, Map Mementos

Program 3007 - November 21-27, 2021, and May 22-28, 2022

Lost Lizards Return, Angler Access, Map Mementos

The San Antonio Zoo raises Texas horned lizards in a bold effort to restore them to the landscape. See how a new partnership with private landowners is helping anglers and paddlers gain better access to Texas rivers. A hiker and woodworker preserves...

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The San Antonio Zoo breeds threatened Texas horned lizards with the hope of restoring them to landscapes that may once again support them. See some captive lizards take their first steps of freedom in this bold experiment.

In an urbanizing state with limited public lands, accessing the outdoors can be a tough task. But a new program, in partnership with participating landowners, is helping paddlers and anglers access rivers like never before.

Alex Ahrens loves to explore trails throughout Texas, but when he is not hiking, Alex enjoys woodworking. So he has found a way to combine his passions and bring his love of the outdoors into his woodshop—preserving the places he loves to hike as wooden map mementos.

Armed with a smartphone and a savvy for social media, one Austin urbanite's outdoor experience might be a little different than his grandfather's, but getting outside can still fit with a modern, urban lifestyle.

Along the tree-lined shore at Cooper Lake State Park, cool waves splash wildly in the heat of the day and gently lap and sparkle in the sunset.

Spill Recovery, History Connection & Water for Wildlife

Program 3008 - November 28-December 4, 2021, and May 29-June 4, 2022

Spill Recovery, History Connection & Water for Wildlife

When an oil spill affects our rivers, creeks or coastline, meet the team that steps in to investigate the impacts to fish and wildlife. Through his time with a group of Buffalo Soldier re-enactors, a young man learns about these accomplished...

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When there's an oil spill along the coast or pollution in a small county creek, the fish and wildlife that live there are often hit the hardest. Meet the team of biologists who are called when it is time to investigate the impacts.

An aspiring nature photographer joins a group of Buffalo Soldier re-enactors and discovers history's ultimate outdoorsmen.

In a Wildlife Management Area far, far away, a group of dedicated conservationists put their skills to work, building special rainwater catchment systems known as “guzzlers.” These moisture-collecting guzzlers provide water for bighorn sheep, and any other animal looking for a drink in the desert.

Load up the bikes and try out some of the mountain bike trails at Colorado Bend State Park.

Take in the sunrise along the Trinity River from a different perspective.

Racing Down a River & Loggerhead Shrikes

Program 3009 - December 5-11, 2021, and June 5-11, 2022

Racing Down a River & Loggerhead Shrikes

Paddle from San Marcos to the Gulf of Mexico, down 260 miles of river, and experience what is called the World's Toughest Canoe Race. The loggerhead shrike is a different sort of songbird, with some brutal dining habits, but it seems to have...

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The Texas Water Safari is billed as the World's Toughest Canoe Race, and 2015 was no exception. Historic flooding threatened to cancel the race, logjams made the San Marcos River extremely dangerous, but the race went on. We follow two teams to see if they can complete the 260 mile race from San Marcos to Seadrift.

The loggerhead shrike is a songbird with a raptor's habits. They skewer their meals on barbed wire or thorns for easy eating. You may not expect that in the suburbs, but some shrikes have found a nice nesting place in a busy Round Rock, Texas park.

Bright blooms carpet Texas roadsides with color and liven up long drives.

Coastal Prairie Stewards, Fish Habitat Help, & Biking Big Bend

Program 3010 - December 12-18, 2021, and June 12-18, 2022

Coastal Prairie Stewards, Fish Habitat Help, & Biking Big Bend

See how a family raises cattle and preserves wildlife habitat on one of the last tracts of coastal prairie in Texas. Learn how sinking strange-looking structures and seeding native plants can improve reservoirs for fish and fishing. Carry plenty of...

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Over 6 million acres of grassland once blanketed the Texas coast, but today less than 1% remains. The Dunn O'Connor River Ranch in Goliad County is one of the last tracts of coastal prairie left in Texas. Passed down through the family since 1836, the ranch balances cattle production with preservation of wildlife habitat.

See some swallows soar, and find out why these home-building, cliff-dwelling birds like to construct their own bird cities under our bridges.

Luis Padilla hosts outreach events all over Texas to connect new audiences to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers.

As reservoirs age, natural places for fish to find food and shelter can be lost. So crews in Northeast Texas are sinking some strange-looking structures and seeding native plants to improve things for fish and fishing.

Carry plenty of water, spare tubes, and a first aid kit--mountain biking at Big Bend Ranch State Park is not for the faint of heart. The country is rugged and the trails can be challenging, but the opportunities are as boundless as the vistas.

See some wildlife living the wild life on the urban edge of Austin.

San Angelo Trail-Maker, Moore Ranch Heritage & Saving Swifts

Program 3011 - December 19-25, 2021, and June 19-25, 2022

San Angelo Trail-Maker, Moore Ranch Heritage & Saving Swifts

Meet a mechanic and mountain-biking musician who has been taming trails in San Angelo for decades and who considers the local state park a hidden treasure. See how a couple in their 90s has sustained their West Texas ranch for 60 years. Meet another...

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You could call him the trail troubadour. Meet a mechanic and mountain-biking musician who has been taming trails in San Angelo for decades and who considers the local state park a hidden treasure.

See how a ranching couple in their 90s has kept their West Texas ranch going for the past 60 years, and sustained a ranching heritage dating to 1888.

From raising chicks to building nest boxes, meet a husband and wife team that has spent half a lifetime working to save the chimney swift.

Some chilly birds search for food in the ice and snow and brighten up an extra-cold winter day.

Weevil Warfare, Helping City Kids Outside, Chimney Creek Ranch

Program 3012 - December 26, 2021-January 1, 2022, and June 26-July 2, 2022

Weevil Warfare, Helping City Kids Outside, Chimney Creek Ranch

Biologists battle an invasive aquatic plant that threatens Caddo Lake, enlisting local conservation groups, volunteer troops, and a horde of tiny insects. Learn how one outdoorsman from Houston works to get urban kids outside with fishing. Ranchers...

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Biologists continue their battle against giant salvinia, an invasive aquatic plant that threatens Texas lakes and fisheries. To protect Caddo Lake from devastation, they are enlisting the help of local conservation groups and a horde of tiny insects.

Willard Franklin III is a fisherman and volunteer from Houston whose passion is sharing his love for the outdoors with urban kids. By taking children fishing, Willard hopes to give them the kinds of experiences and memories that could spark an interest in the outdoors later in life.

Visit the century-old Chimney Creek Ranch in the Rolling Plains region of Texas and learn how landowners work to restore, protect and share the historic and cultural resources of the property in tribute to those who came before.

Hit the trails at Government Canyon State Natural Area, with hiking, biking, and birding. And see what makes this 12,000 acre wild urban escape unique.

A food blogger made national news when he ate a dove that slammed into his house and blogged about it. As the story circulated, it was reported the law was looking for him, and the dove-eating blogger wanted to make things right.

Fly above San Felipe Creek and the Rio Grande at the golden hour before sunset.

Oystering Life, Duck Ranch, River Keeper

Program 3013 - January 2- 8, 2022, and July 3- 9, 2022

Oystering Life, Duck Ranch, River Keeper

See some of the challenges of oystering over the decades and some of the hopes for the future of the industry and for the health of Texas bays. Visit a ranch where management of grasslands and wetland habitat have exemplified land stewardship while...

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The business of oystering has changed a great deal over the last three decades. Meet an oysterman who has endured every hurricane, flood, and drought over that time, and see what is being done to make Texas’ bays and oyster fishery more resilient.

Visit a Brazos County ranch where management of grasslands and wetland habitat have exemplified land stewardship while rolling out the welcome mat for waterfowl.

Sarah Robertson works to keep Texas rivers clean and flowing, which impacts all the living things that depend on the health of these ecosystems to survive.

Building materials, natural lighting, and solar panels make Austin’s central library a very green building. But the library’s greenest feature may be up on top. Its rooftop garden, landscaped with native plants, is a rest stop for library patrons and urban pollinators alike.

At the far southeast corner of Texas lies a unique coastal park that is not widely known. From coastal fishing, to crabbing and kayaking the marshland, the sights and sounds of Sea Rim State Park are worth a drive.

The wetlands of the Shady W Ranch provide an up-close look at dozens and dozens of ducks.

The County Warden, 7 Oaks Ranch & Austin Warblers

Program 3014 - January 9-15, 2022, and July 10-16, 2022

The County Warden, 7 Oaks Ranch & Austin Warblers

Learn how one man turned a tragedy from his youth into a career of helping others with a career as a Texas Game Warden. See how three sons enlist family and volunteers to carry on their father's legacy of land stewardship. Join biologists...

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Follow a young Game Warden patrolling the sparsely-populated counties north of Abilene, and learn how he turned a tragedy from his youth into a career of helping others.

Three sons take on management of their family ranch after the passing of their father, sustaining their father's legacy of land stewardship, continually learning, and educating others on land management practices.

The Helicopter Underwater Egress Training or HUET is part of NASA's training for astronauts as well as the Coast Guard and other personnel involved in work over water. Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens have a search and rescue team that go through this potentially life-saving training.

In the heart of the Hill Country is the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and here you can find the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. Join some biologists as they monitor these unique birds during their nesting season.

A wait in the blind yields the colorful songbirds of Guadalupe River State Park

Bikepacking Journey, Oyster Farming Fan, Conservation Art

Program 3015 - January 16-22, 2022, and July 17-23, 2022

Bikepacking Journey, Oyster Farming Fan, Conservation Art

Off-road bicycling meets backpacking, as a group tests their endurance and documents their journey. Meet a woman who hopes to help oyster reefs by designing an oyster-farming program for Texas. An artist captures nature in a lithograph, while raising...

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Sometimes the journey is as big as the destination, especially if you're carrying everything you need while camping and traveling by bicycle. Off-road bicycling meets backpacking in this adventure travelogue, as a group tests their endurance and documents their trek through Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Emma Clarkson charged forward with designing an oyster farming program for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Her goal is to help protect natural oyster reefs while helping cultivate a strong seafood culture in Texas.

Freelance photographer, and regular contributor to the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, Russell Graves, shares some of his thoughts about what it takes to create quality outdoor photos.

Through the vanishing art of lithography, a Fort Worth artist captures a conserved habitat and its wildlife in living color, while proceeds from his prints help save wild places, like pristine Powderhorn Ranch.

Dragonflies and damselflies are fun to watch, whether they are darting, dancing, or standing still.

Rio Grande Valley Reef, Hunting Refuge & Sand Surfing

Program 3016 - January 23-29, 2022, and July 24-30, 2022

Rio Grande Valley Reef, Hunting Refuge & Sand Surfing

An artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico improves fish habitat and the sportfishing and tourism economy. Meet a woman who views hunting as her refuge from the stresses of daily life. Learn how to surf far from the ocean and slide down the dunes at...

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A group in the Rio Grande Valley helps fish habitat and the local economy by creating and sustaining the largest area of artificial reef on the Texas coast.

Sun, sand, and surfing are not just found at the beach. Visit Monahans Sandhills State Park near Midland-Odessa and surf, slide, or tumble down the dunes for some family fun.

For Robin Bradbery the outdoors is what she calls her “happy place.” That's no surprise, as many turn to nature for relaxation. But for Robin, it's more than that--being outdoors helps her to escape the challenges of living with autism.

At state parks, iconic brown and yellow signs have told visitors where to go for years. And for decades they have all been made in the same shop at Bastrop State Park. The process is not as hands-on as it once was, but the Bastrop sign shop is still humming.

Join a group of paddlers enjoying the calm Colorado River, downstream of Austin.

Outdoor Magazine of Texas, Lake Tawakoni & Fishing Tip

Program 3017 - January 30-February 5, 2022, and July 31-August 6, 2022

Outdoor Magazine of Texas, Lake Tawakoni & Fishing Tip

Meet those who carry on an 80-year tradition of bringing the Texas outdoors to newsstands everywhere. Lake Tawakoni State Park offers visitors access to fishing, boating, swimming, and camping--all within a short drive of Dallas. Learn what to keep in...

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Texas' premier outdoor magazine has seen some changes over the last 80 years. Meet the people who craft it each month and see what it takes to deliver the state's great outdoors to mailboxes, newsstands, and smartphones everywhere.

With 5 miles of shoreline, Lake Tawakoni State Park offers visitors access to fishing, boating, swimming, and camping--all within a short drive of Dallas.

Learn from an expert what to keep in your tacklebox when fishing in freshwater.

Scenes from the desert oasis of Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site.

Grassland Restoration, Team for Conservation & Catching Carp

Program 3018 - February 6-12, 2022, and August 7-13, 2022

Grassland Restoration, Team for Conservation & Catching Carp

The Grassland Restoration Incentive Program helps landowners improve grassland habitat for better wildlife, water and soil health. A team helps hunting and fishing license sales fund conservation. Anglers travel from Europe to Texas to catch huge...

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Jim Willis wanted more quail on his land, but he learned that restoring native grasses was key to wildlife populations, water, and soil health. Today the Grassland Restoration Incentive Program helps landowners improve grassland habitat.

There is a national movement afoot to increase the number of people who go out hunting and fishing every year. It's important to keep people connected to nature, but license purchases are also critical to funding conservation projects across the country.

The once-maligned common carp has emerged as a sought-after sport fish, and anglers are coming to Texas from around the world just to catch them. Tag along as we hit some Texas carp hotspots, Lady Bird Lake in Austin, and Lake Fork near Dallas, and meet some folks who pursue these internationally popular fish.

Learn how to maintain your reel and replace old line for better fishing success.

Amber waves of native grass whisper in a gentle breeze.

Prairie Wetlands, Arts in Parks & Better Boardwalk

Program 3019 - February 13-19, 2022, and August 14-20, 2022

Prairie Wetlands, Arts in Parks & Better Boardwalk

A duck hunter supports waterfowl through prairie wetland habitat, with the help of Ducks Unlimited and other partners. The beauty of a natural place takes on fresh dimension and draws some different crowds when arts activities like sculpture, painting...

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A duck hunter supports waterfowl through prairie wetland habitat, with the help of Ducks Unlimited and other partners. Though coastal prairie wetlands are threatened by land use changes, these seasonal habitats help more than birds, offering other benefits such as rice production and stormwater retention.

The beauty of a natural place takes on fresh dimension and draws some different crowds when arts activities like sculpture, painting and photography, are paired with parks.

Hurricane Harvey wiped out one of the best birding boardwalks on the coast. It's now back in business. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of this birding hot spot.

As the social media specialist for Texas State Parks, Erika Sosa is driven to help all Texans make a lasting and positive connection with the outdoors.

Join a group of mountain bikers having some fun on the Coyote Run Trail at Cooper Lake State Park.

Scenes from Fawcett Wildlife Management Area.

First Hunt, Preserving History & Paddlefish

Program 3020 - February 20-26, 2022, and August 21-27, 2022

First Hunt, Preserving History & Paddlefish

A first-time hunter pursues quail around the state. Meet the man who wrote the book on Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site. Prehistoric paddlefish return to the waters of Caddo Lake and Big Cypress Bayou, and what they may teach us about the...

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An outdoor guide introduces Ashley Taylor, a first-time hunter, to the traditions of quail hunting in habitats around the state.

Tim Roberts wrote the book on Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, literally. He spent two years writing a detailed account of the resources at Hueco Tanks, which led to its designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Eisenhower State Park is all about the water. Campsites sit high on 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.

When paddlefish were stocked in Caddo Lake in 2014, it was truly an experiment. No one could be certain the fish would survive or stay put, but years later it seems they have done both. A new hope for the progress of a very old fish.

Take a flight over Espiritu Santo Bay, a short boat ride from Port O'Connor.

Nomadic Photographer, Water Critters & Lockhart State Park

Program 3021 - February 27-March 5, 2022, and August 28-September 3, 2022

Nomadic Photographer, Water Critters & Lockhart State Park

Travel with a photographer chasing her dream to the most awe-inspiring places a tiny camper can be towed. Meet a biologist that studies some of the two thousand different types of aquatic invertebrates in our rivers and streams. Tag along for a round...

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Meet a traveling photographer at home on the road, chasing her dream to the most awe-inspiring places a teardrop trailer camper can be towed.

Meet a biologist that studies aquatic invertebrates. He’s Dr. Archis Grubh, and he loves bugs. Check out some of the two-thousand different types of aquatic invertebrates living in the rivers, streams, and creeks of Texas.

Thirty minutes south of Austin, the Central Texas town of Lockhart may be best known as a destination for bar-b-que lovers. But Lockhart is also home to a small state park, popular with campers, picnickers, and even golfers.

Watch a hungry rabbit hit a prairie salad bar for breakfast.

Timeless Trail, Happy Multitasker & Wind Power Questions

Program 3022 - March 6-12, 2022, and September 4-10, 2022

Timeless Trail, Happy Multitasker & Wind Power Questions

Travel the trail that settled Texas and see how traffic along the historic route defined the places and cultures we experience today. Meet an administrative octopus that keeps her team moving. Explore some of the questions wind energy production...

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New awareness is being brought to a centuries-old pathway, the Camino Real de los Tejas. Meet a man on a mission to highlight its history, and the places and cultures it connects, as we trace a National Historic Trail through Texas.

Kate Lype's coworkers call her the “happy octopus” because she handles all different types of administrative tasks that keep her team running smoothly.

Texas leads in the country in wind energy production, and with this new energy source there are new questions. What will wind farms do to the already fragmented habitat here in Texas? We look at the Panhandle wind farms and their effects on the threatened lesser prairie chicken.

Visitors to the Davis Mountains of far West Texas are rewarded with boundless vistas in all directions.

Hueco Tanks, Turkey Trapping, Texas Rat Snake

Program 3023 - March 13-19, 2022, and September 11-17, 2022

Hueco Tanks, Turkey Trapping, Texas Rat Snake

Visit a desert oasis near El Paso that has drawn visitors for thousands of years. Meet a team trapping and tracking turkey. Learn about a snake that should be scary only to rodents, and see how radar technology may help reduce wind turbine threats to...

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On the edge of El Paso is a desert destination people have been visiting for thousands of years. The beauty of this West Texas oasis is on full display at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, where stories are told through hundreds of Native American pictographs.

Making the outdoors more accessible for everyone is Sandy Heath's mission. As the first Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife, she has cleared the path for people with disabilities to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

Texas leads the country in wind energy production, and with this new energy source there are new questions. How will wind farms affect the birds that live and migrate through our state? Head to the coast to see how wind farms use radar technology to spot migrating birds coming their way.

Check out a snake that often gets a bad rap. Herpetologist, Andy Gluesenkamp, introduces you to the Texas Rat Snake.

On a ranch in South Texas, biologists are tapping the latest technology, and fitting turkey with tiny backpacks, to learn where the turkey lurk. With this data, scientists are gaining a better understanding of the habitat needs of Rio Grande turkey populations. See how these findings may benefit turkey and all who enjoy them.

Go with the flow and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of South Llano River State Park.

Nature Photographer Memories, Cooper Lake, On-Call Team

Program 3024 - March 20-26, 2022, and September 18-24, 2022

Nature Photographer Memories, Cooper Lake, On-Call Team

A retired policeman finds peace in nature photography, building a second career and a lasting library of beautiful photographs. Cooper Lake State Park in northeastern Texas offers shady campsites and cabins, a large lake, and plenty of fishing. If...

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Greg Lasley was a lieutenant in the Austin Police Department. But Greg would also joke that he led a secret life, traveling the world, photographing nature and all its creatures. When Greg died after a long illness, the Internet lit up with tributes. He gave so that the rest of us could see his world.

Since first opening in the 1990s, Cooper Lake State Park has become an outdoor recreation hotspot in Northeast Texas. Fishing, hiking, swimming and camping are just a few things to do in and around the 20,000 acre lake.

When the Covid-19 pandemic and weather events impacted Texas State Parks, the customer service call center kept phone lines open so that visitors could continue to get help and get their questions answered during tumultuous times.

Landowners, conservationists, and visitors alike have a love affair with the Devils River. This remote river valley is about as wild as Texas gets. But there are threats to this natural place, and that has the river’s passionate admirers concerned.

Crystal-clear water flows through riffles and rapids of the Devils River and takes a picturesque plunge over Dolan Falls.

Operation Snap, Cave People & Desert Dunes

Program 3025 - March 27-April 2, 2022, and September 25-October 1, 2022

Operation Snap, Cave People & Desert Dunes

Protected alligator snapping turtles are returned to their natural habitats, after the trafficked animals are saved from interstate poachers. Join some modern-day cave explorers as they crawl and climb through the dark and mysterious world that exists...

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Alligator snapping turtles, protected in Texas, are saved from out-of-state poachers. After being rehabilitated and prepared for scientific study, these trafficked turtles are returned to their natural habitats in Texas waters.

At the unique landscape of Monahans Sandhills State Park, a sea of sand awaits, offering camping and recreation, hosting some interesting plant and animal life, and hiding a human history in what was at times both a barrier and a refuge.

Who knows what darkness lurks deep in the heart of Texas? Cavers know! There are thousands of known caves in Texas and more yet to be discovered. Join some modern-day cave explorers as they duck, climb, crawl, and squeeze their way through the dark and mysterious world that exists beneath our feet.

Take a flight over the woods and waters of Huntsville State Park.

Bears Go Home, Camera Trap & Mountain Trail Builder

Program 3026 - April 3- 9, 2022, and October 2- 8, 2022

Bears Go Home, Camera Trap & Mountain Trail Builder

See what passes by the trail cameras at Lake Ray Roberts State Park, both day and night. Meet an active retiree who builds legendary trails at Franklin Mountains State Park. An orphaned black bear cub is released at Devils River State Natural Area.

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A mother black bear is killed in Del Rio, making an orphan of her cub, while a second bear is rescued from other perils. Both bears are rehabilitated at a wildlife rescue facility in New Mexico and returned to Texas in a much safer spot to roam—Devils River State Natural Area.

Monitoring wildlife is important to maintaining the health of an ecosystem. At Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Daniel Rios uses trail cameras to keep an eye on the park and the animals that live there. These cameras offer an amazing view of the wildlife and their habitats, as long as rangers can keep the raccoons from stealing them.

There are now over a million acres of public hunting lands in Texas. Take a look at one of the state's newest wildlife management areas, where licensed hunters can access land for a dove hunting experience.

We meet a trail building legend in El Paso. The Franklin Mountain range is the largest sustained mountain range in Texas, and it has some of the best mountain biking trails in the state. We'll meet the man that has built many of those trails, and he's doing it at the spry age of seventy nine.

Hike the South Rim Trail of Big Bend National Park with some friends and enjoy some of the grandest vistas anywhere.