Browse all episodes of Texas Parks and Wildlife

When it comes to rock art, Hueco Tanks, east of El Paso is in a class by itself. Unfortunately over the years, some of the pictographs have been damaged by graffiti. But now a new type of laser technology is about to turn back time. It's a laser light show that wipes away the graffiti but doesn't affect the pictograph underneath. If you've ever been out in the woods and you're dive bombed by a brightly colored bird, you may have encountered the elusive kingfisher. Texas is the only place where all three variations of this bird can be found.

Hueco Tanks: Rock Art Reborn, Oasis of the Kingfisher

The Gulf Wardens, I Love a Mystery

Final Port of Call, Rafinesque's Big-eared Bats, Tracing a Texas River

A Tale of Two Laurens, Lake Arrowhead State Park, an Ocean Oasis

Native Texan Duck, a Day at Pedernales

Hunting Dogs 101, Davis Mountains State Park, Crazy About Birds

Caribbean Connection, Lake Whitney State Park, D Day +50

Garden of the Gulf, Abilene State Park, Fishing with Your Piers

Lion Country, Atlanta State Park, Hooked on the Coast

Young Guns, the Butterfly Palace

Big Wind, Big Questions, Pedernales Falls Bike Trails, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration

Coastal Conflicts, 50th Film History, Fairfield Lake State Park

Room to Roam, Gateway to the Desert, Big Spring State Park

Adventure Racing, Cedar Hill Bike Trails, Billion Dollar Bats

Working Down Under, Franklin Mountains Bike Trails, the Virtual Bat

Stewards in Waiting, Bat Caves of Texas, Biking Big Bend

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Episode 21

Ongoing efforts to re-establish pine forests in east Texas that have been damaged by hurricanes; Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame inductee Lonnie Stanley; a retired game warden reviews a film from the 1970s of wardens talking about the job; Stephen F. Austin State Park, a great place to explore between Houston and Austin; spotting a rare flycatcher near Austin; snake feeding time.

Rebuilding the Forest, Texas Game Warden, Found Flycatcher

American YouthWorks crews help restore Bastrop State Park after severe wildfires; find out about local fishing spots with the Neighborhood Fishing Program; Texas State Photographer Wyman Meinzer's photo essay on West Texas; biking at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Bastrop: Back to Its Roots, Casting Call, Wyman Meinzer's West Texas

Tracking dinosaur tracks; Texas Parks and Wildlife fire team leader Jeff Sparks; biking, hiking and fishing at Cleburne State Park; film history from the 1970s; squirrel hunting, a fading tradition; abstract patterns in water.

112 Million Years in the Making, A Fading Tradition

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fire team battles blazes at Bastrop and Lake Possum Kingdom State Parks; cooking redfish three ways with chef Jessie Griffiths; replanting pines at Bastrop State Park that were lost to wildfires; a day in the life of Lake Fork fishing guide Brian Duplechain, it's a lot of work; and up close look at some of Texas' wild creatures.

The Firefighters, Repopulating the Pines, The Guide

Alligator gar fishing and research; Cherie O'Brien helps restore coastal marshes; studying black bears in the Black Gap region of west Texas; biking at Franklin Mountains State Park.

Gargantuan Gar, Black Bears of Black Gap

Join some biologists as they monitor nesting Golden-cheeked Warblers in the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve near Austin. Take a tour on two wheels at this park that is known for its glorious waterfalls but is also a great place for mountain biking. Outdoor tourism contributes more than $36 million to the Texas economy, and a lot of folks find out about the state through national television shows. We'll show you how that works.

Austin's Warblers, Pedernales Falls Bike Trails, Selling Texas

Two years after wildfire roared through Possum Kingdom State Park, this popular getaway is back. Take a look at how the park has recovered. Learn what's causing the decline of the iconic Texas Horny Toad, and what's being done about it. Bois d'Arc Creek and much of the land around it in Fannin County will soon be replaced by a water supply reservoir. Meet Russell and Bubba Graves, filmmakers who have made a documentary about what the loss of this bottomland hardwood forest means to those that have a history with this land.

Recovery at Possum Kingdom, Texas Horned Lizards, Remembering Bois d’Arc Creek

Urbanites interested in healthy, tasty, locally-sourced foods are trying hunting for the first time. Follow Austin blogger Marshall Wright as he learns about hunting from this new perspective. Travel to Big Bend Ranch State Parks with a group of teens from Houston as they make a spiritual connection with the West Texas landscape during their first real experience with wide open spaces. Texas Parks and Wildlife is celebrating its 50th birthday by inviting people to share their stories and photos about memorable moments in the Texas outdoors. Here's a look back at what this means for Texans.30

Will Hunt for Food, Nicole's Big Adventure, 50 Years and Counting

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. North Deer Island near Galveston is the largest bird rookery island on the Upper Texas Coast, and it is shrinking from erosion. See what's being done to preserve this island and protect it for the thousands of birds that nest here every year. Gerald Stewart is a professional animal caller. Using mouth calls and audio cassettes, Gerald can attract birds, owls, mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, deer and many more animals.

Waiting for Winter Trout, A New North Deer, Talking to the Animals

A Classic Competition from the Coast is now statewide and open to all. Follow some folks who decided to find out how many different birds can be seen in a day, a morning, or from just one spot. Wade fishing not only puts you right where the action is, but the experts say you can catch more and bigger fish.

Flocking with Friends, Where to Wade

From a migrant worker as a youth to an artist that discovers he has an amazing talent. Meet Clemente Guzman who is an inspiration for all of us. A woman with Asperger Syndrome sees her social life blossom when she takes up geocaching. Whether in saltwater or fresh, Texas has many great spots to spend a day fishing. But for a special breed of angler the best days of fishing are always nights.

The Inspired Artist, Geocaching Changed My Life, Fishing the Late Shift

Meet one East Texas game warden whose involvement with the kids in her community not only helps change their lives, but enriches her as well. The Gulf of Mexico is known to some as "America's Sea." In the first segment of a six part series on the state of the gulf, we'll explore the rich diversity of habitats and creatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the economic benefits they provide to the nation as a whole. We'll visit the beautiful coral reefs of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, shallow meadows of seagrass in Redfish Bay and the longest undeveloped barrier island, Padre Island National Seashore, one of the homes of the endangered Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle. Last we will consider how the BP oil spill illustrates the inseparable dynamics of economic and environmental interests.

Fitting In, Standing Out, The Burden of Bounty

The population of Pintail ducks has been declining over the past decade, and wildlife biologists are trying to figure out why. Watch as captured hens are fitted with transmitters and tracked as they winter on the coast and migrate north. Examine how hurricanes have impacted Texas; past, present and future. In part two of a six part series on the state of the gulf, we'll see how a century ago a hurricane determined the future of Indianola and Galveston. Then take a look at how recent hurricanes, Rita and Ike, devastated Sea Rim and Galveston Island State Parks, and the progress of their recovery. We will reiterate the benefits of healthy marshland to diminish the force of hurricanes. Then visit oyster reef restoration sites in Galveston Bay and see how new technology is being used to map the bottom of Texas bays so that future damage from hurricanes can be more accurately assessed.

Calling All Pintails, Hurricanes: A Force of Nature

Texas Game Wardens don't normally work outside their home state, but the creation of a new canine law enforcement unit has taken five wardens to Utah for some specialized training. In the third of six stories examining the state of the gulf, this episode looks at the challenge of managing fisheries resources for sustainability. We will look at redfish as an example and show how the tools of research, regulation, enforcement and fish stockings have protected and elevated redfish to almost cult status with anglers. We'll look at efforts to monitor and protect sea grass beds from scarring by boat props. Finally we recognize how private groups like the Coastal Conservation Association have supported the management of redfish and changed the way anglers approach their sport. "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.

K9 Wardens, Fisheries for the Future, Buck Fever

Caddo Lake in East Texas is just one example of how invasive plants are taking Texas by land and water. In part four of a six part series on the Gulf of Mexico, take a look at conditions, both natural and man-made, that impact water quality along the Gulf. We will examine the infamous "Dead Zone," off Louisiana, how it occurs and what its effects are. Learn about harmful algal blooms, such as red tide, where and when they occur and what the public needs to know when they happen. We'll also look at how water pollution has led to fish consumption advisories for many coastal waters and the trends in coastal water quality.

The Invaders, What’s in the Water

We fly over our rivers and lakes, hearing from some of Texas' greatest thinkers about how our stewardship of these resources are so vital to the economic and cultural future of our state (the first in a four-part series). Hear predictions on how the Texas Gulf Coast will be impacted by climate change over the next century. In part five of a six part series on the state of the Gulf, scientists and biologists discuss how the documented rise in sea level is ongoing and what it will mean in the future for coastal communities in Texas. We will also look at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's long documentation of warming water temperature and how some species like flounder have declined, while other species like the gray snapper have increased. We will also look at the spread of black mangroves and the newly detected red mangrove, as another indication of a warming climate.

Above Texas: Rivers & Lakes, Climate of Changes

Many families in cities have lost touch with the great outdoors and all it has to offer, but the Texas Outdoor Family program is getting folks with little camping experience outside for some weekend fun. Hear predictions on how the Texas Gulf Coast will be impacted over the next century. In part five of a six part series on the state of the gulf, scientists and biologists discuss how the documented rise in sea level is ongoing and what it will mean in the future for coastal communities in Texas. We will also look at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's long documentation of warming water temperature and how some species like flounder have declined, while other species like the gray snapper have increased. We will also look at the spread of black mangroves and the newly detected red mangrove, as another indication of a warming climate.

Outdoor Family Camping, Action for the Oceans

Join a group of students from Corpus Christi as they head up to Big Bend to float the Rio Grande. Houston architect Skip Johnson 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'.

The Rio Grande: Down But Not Out, The Boat Builder

In the second in a four part series that highlights the Lone Star State from high above and down below, we fly over the Gulf of Mexico and our coastlines, where you'll get a different view of the wildlife, the habitat, and man's impacts. The paddling trails in swampy Caddo Lake in Northeast Texas is the ideal way to explore this fascinating lake. Put on some old clothes and tag along for a hands-on look at science class Parks and Wildlife-style.

Above Texas: The Coast, Paddling Caddo Lake, Student Parking

See how biologists use technology to gather information about desert bighorn sheep as they move the through the mountains of west Texas and Mexico, and the endangered Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle as they travel the Gulf of Mexico. Costumed interpreters and volunteers at the Sauer Beckmann Living History Farm show life as it really was, complete with all the sights, sounds, and (for better or worse) smells of a turn-of-the-century Hill Country farmstead.

Eye in the Sky, LBJ's Hill Country Legacy

Purple martins seem to need people, and the birds provide some rewards back to those who watch out for them. The Youth Ambassador Program signs on members of the millennial generation to share their love of nature in ways their peers can relate to, which is often quite different from their parents. Follow along with the Lake Fork professional bass fishing tournament favorite and a young newcomer just trying to make the cut.

Managing the Martins, State Park Ambassadors, Battle at the Fork

In the third in a four part series that highlights the Lone Star State from high above and down below, we fly over our cities and industrial centers, hearing from some of Texas' greatest thinkers about striking a crucial balance about the stewardship between our states' economy and our natural resources. Check out a bottomland hardwood swamp at Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area and the wood ducks that call it home. Visit the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and see lots and lots of wildlife, including whooping cranes.

Over Texas: Growing Pains, Winter Wonderland for Waterfowl, A Journey South

Wildlife biologist Ken Rice shares his passion for anything coastal with Joe, a seventh grader who tracks the movement of birds from his inner-city housing project. Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens who keep our water clean and air clear by pursuing those who violate environmental laws.

Spreading His Wings, Policing Pollution

Tag along with some lucky hunters that get a chance of a lifetime to hunt alligators at J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area. We'll spend a few days with Todd Imboden, super superintendent of Palmetto State Park, as he juggles his time between work and family.

Texas Tussle: A Gator Hunt, Balancing Act

From using state of the art technology to good ole foot power, see what it takes to try and find the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, a bird that hasn't been seen in 60 years. A 50-year old family photo taken at Inks Lake State Park leads to an interesting reunion and a renewed interest in getting outside. A family from Houston who hunt doves has found the perfect solution to finding a place to hunt: the Annual Public Hunting Permit.

Chasing a Ghost, 50 Years Later, Same Photo, A Place to Hunt

We'll follow Texas Game Wardens, from the rutted dirt tracks of the High Plains Canyon Country, to the storm-crossed waters of the Gulf Coast. From fertilization to hatching, to stocking and finally catching, the Striper is getting a helping hand from Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists.

What Wardens Do, Stripers in Production

Discover what fisheries biologists at the Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center are doing to bring back the official state fish of Texas, the Guadalupe Bass. As more anglers discover the shallow waters of the Texas Gulf Coast, there is growing concern about what this increased traffic is doing to the fragile sea grasses.

Restoring a Texas Treasure, A Scar on the Flats

We follow along as biologists deal with one of the toughest breeding seasons on record, as they struggle to save the Attwater's prairie-chicken, one of the most endangered birds in all of Texas. A group of scientists are trying to learn about the decline in population of the tarpon.

The Last Dance, Mystery of the Tarpon

Travel below the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, immerse yourself in a clear Texas river, and travel deep in the Gulf of Mexico, as we conclude our four part series that highlights the Lone Star State from high above and down below. Meet some prairie patriots who are working to restore coastal prairies back to Texas.

Under Texas: Beneath the Surface, The Last Stand

Birding hotspots are not always where you might expect them to be. See the sights, hear the sounds, and smell the smells of a "marginal nature" haven. We visit a couple of Bald Eagle nests, and learn that these birds now have a new challenge on the horizon.

Natural Wasteland, Texas Eagles on the Move

Follow along as Father Tom Pincelli finds beauty and inspiration in some unusual birding spots in the Rio Grande Valley. Return to a simpler time as kids of all ages compete to see who's the best stone-skipper at the World Stone Skipping Championship in Wimberley, Texas. We'll ride along with some of the contestants in the most extreme of canoe races, the 260 mile-long Texas Water Safari.

A Man in Paradise, Stone Skipping, A Long Way to Seadrift: The Texas Water Safari

Follow along as biologists track Whooping Cranes at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge using satellite GPS technology. We go underwater with some Texas game wardens as they learn how they respond to aggressors on the water, rescue people from drowning and stay afloat wearing over 20 pounds of gear. Meet a group of volunteers at Pedernales State Park and find out why they are so incredibly enthusiastic about doing work that can at times be a little mundane.

On the Right Track, Swimming to Survive, A Day at Pedernales

A broad coalition of partners, from non-profits to landowners and government agencies, is working to bring back a breeding population of paddlefish. At the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, archeologists have discovered artifacts from the 1836 Battle for Texas Independence thanks to modern technology (and some old-fashioned muscle).

The Paddlefish Project, Battlefield of Answers

We take a closer look at what it takes to catch the southern flounder and how the species is holding up. See how outdoor adventure clubs are bringing together all kinds of folks with an active interest in the outdoors.

The Rise of the Forgotten Flounder, Outdoor Clubbing

Lizards on the Move See how research at the Muse Wildlife Management Area is investigating how threatened Texas Horned Lizards fare and where they go when they are relocated to restored habitat. Join us as we follow two boys as part of a special duck hunt just for youngsters.

Lizards on the Move, Young Guns

Join a team of black bear trackers from Stephen F. Austin State University as they study some of the most remote habitat found in the state. Biologists Chad Norris and Janet Nelson trek to remote spring sites gathering a variety of information that will provide a greater understanding of one of our most important sources of freshwater.

The Real Bears of East Texas, The Spring Trackers

Learn about the research and work that have helped make largemouth bass the most important game fish in Texas. Austin is well-known for the millions of Mexican free-tailed bats that live under the city’s bridges and overpasses. Thanks to a group called Bat Conservation International, Texans have become mindful of this species’ vital role in the control of insects.

Texas Bass, Bat Capitol of the World

The hottest sport to hit the south these days isn’t on the field, it’s in the water. Check out a profile on high school fishing. Working guns, artillery, running tanks and an operational flamethrower make the Second World War come alive at the Admiral Nimitz State Historic Site.

School of Fish, Island Assault: 1944

A coalition of partners has raised nearly $38 million dollars to purchase the Powderhorn Ranch in Calhoun County, 17,000 acres of one of the largest remaining unspoiled tracts of coastal prairie in the state. Kids at Texas A&M's SeaCamp solve mysteries using biology, chemistry, and physics, similar to the work done in the "real world" by TPWD's Forensics group in San Marcos. Government Canyon State Natural Area has grown out of an unprecedented partnership of groups rallying to preserve a unique Hill Country resource important to nearby San Antonio.

Acquiring Powderhorn, I Love a Mystery, Building the Canyon

We’ll follow Jim Daniels, a young Game Worden who turned a tragedy from his youth into a career helping people, as he patrols the sparsely populated counties north of Abilene. White limestone bluffs and dense trees surround Cedar Lake, the centerpiece of Cleburne State Park, located southwest of Fort Worth. Wildlife biologists are counting on private landowners to help restore the habitat and hopefully save the Lesser Prairie Chicken.

Warden of the County, Cleburne State Park, Chicken Land

Learn about the success of the TPWD's Desert Bighorn Sheep restoration program in west Texas. For the first time since 1950 anyone willing to make a hike in the desert of Big Bend Ranch State Park has the chance again of spotting one of these majestic animals in its natural environment. Just minutes away from Dallas, Cedar Hill State Park has a set of trails built and maintained by cyclists and fit for all levels of mountain bikers. Meet one man who collects antique fishing lures and another who makes new ones, and discover the evolution of the fishing lure, from bone to plastic and several incarnations in between.

Home Again, Cedar Hill Bike Trails, Fishing Lures

The Kinta S is the largest ship to be sunk in the Gulf of Mexico as part of Texas Parks and Wildlife’s artificial reef program, designed to turn oil rigs, retired ships and other hard substances into reef habitat for fish. Scientists are gaining a better understanding of the habitat needs and preferences of Rio Grande turkey populations by fitting turkey with tiny backpacks. Hear the stories of Civilian Conservation Corps veterans as they reunite in a park they helped build.

Sinking of the Kinta S, Turkey Work, CCC Memories

We head to Bay City, Texas for a weekend goose hunt with the ladies… it’s going to be a blast. Thanks to a crew of geologists and photographers, a 3D virtual map of the Devil's Sinkhole in Rocksprings is in the works, one that will give visitors a unique view of this geologic oddity.

A Tale of Two Laurens, New Wave Cave

Catfish are the largest freshwater sport fish in Texas and are second only to bass in popularity among anglers. Meet one tireless volunteer, Chester Smith, who has helped to bring the endangered brown pelican back to Sundown Island in Matagorda Bay and see the spectacle of a nesting island in the spring.

Fishing for Cats, Chester's Island

A study is shedding new light on how bobcats live among us, in the suburbs and edges of our cities, without conflict and almost completely without notice. If you’re looking for the best place to camp right on the beach Mustang Island is the spot. With fishing, birding, and ocean fun just a few steps from your tent Mustang Island State Park is sure to cure that Island fever.

Bobcat City, Mustang Island State Park

Ethel was the very first bass in the ShareLunker Program, becoming a symbol of how good management and forward thinking could drive conservation efforts to wonderful results. Liberty Ships of World War II today serve as artificial reefs off the Texas coast, providing habitat for marine life, research areas for scientists, and new opportunities for anglers.

A Fish Called Ethel, Artificial Reefs

We take a look at what’s being done along the Texas coast to help save sharks from disappearing at an alarming rate. It’s worth the trouble to hit the trails of Texas’ mountain biking Mecca, Big Bend Ranch State Park. Meet some big city biologists in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and El Paso who strive to help wildlife and urban life coexist in harmony.

Save Our Sharks, Biking Big Bend Ranch, Big City Biologists

Scientists join forces with hunters and landowners to solve the mystery of the disappearing pronghorn antelope in this Texas-style CSI. At backyard ponds, suburban creeks, and rural wetlands, participants in the Texas Amphibian Watch program monitor the health of frogs and toads, both for science and for fun. Travel through Texas with a young man making his way cross-country on a handcycle. Being a paraplegic hasn’t handicapped his effort to get out and enjoy a trip across America.

Pronghorn CSI, Frog People, A Not-So-Easy Rider

The Crappie Guys Meet Tommy Tidwell, a high school science teacher and part time crappie fishing guide, and Mr. Crappie, Wally Marshall. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin is more than just a place to see wildflowers. It’s also a research and resource center for information on native plants, landscape restoration, and water conservation.

The Crappie Guys, The Natural Place

Just north of Dallas and Fort Worth, the trail system at Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers hours of riding for mountain bikers, from a smooth riverside greenbelt to hilly routes along the lake. The threat of feral hogs to Texas agriculture and ecology looms large and research is being conducted that could offer a new kind of protection from this feral pig plague. Each year hundreds of re-enactors gather to relive the Battle of San Jacinto in southeast Texas, the pivotal battle that changed the path of Texas and all of North America.

Bking Ray Roberts, Hogs Wild, Charlie and His Cannon

From short pedals at local parks, to epic journeys through rugged landscapes, mountain biking is a great way to experience the wild side of Texas. Freshwater anglers all across the state look forward to the annual spring run of White Bass.

Texas on Two Wheels, Running of the Bass

Grab your canoe and come along as we check out some of the state's new paddling trails on the coast, in Houston, and on the Guadalupe River. Join some biologists as they monitor the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler in the Hill Country's Balcones Canyonlands Preserve during their nesting season.

Texas Paddling Trails, Austin's Warblers

See why generations of Texans have been making Garner State Park the place to be year round in the Hill Country. Follow one researcher as he taps the secrets of the trees and learns the warnings they may hold for water planners. So what does it take to get into birding? We’ll take a look at some of the basic gear you’ll need, fill you in on where to go, and highlight a way to bring the birds to you.

Garner State Park, The Climate Detective, Birding Basics

We’ll visit some of the best spots to see Sandhill Cranes up close to learn more about these migrating wonders. See how some Houston residents are making sure kids don’t miss out on the outdoors.

A Migrating Muse, Inner City Sanctuary

When it’s time to investigate oil spills, meet the team of biologists who are called in to action. When an aspiring nature photographer joins a group of Buffalo Soldier re-enactors, he discovers history's ultimate outdoorsmen. Once upon a time, in a Wildlife Management Area far, far away, a group of dedicated conservationists put their skills to work, building special rainwater catchment systems, aka “guzzlers," to provide water for bighorn sheep, and any other animal looking for a drink in the desert.

Watchdogs for Wildlife, Buffalo Soldiers, Good Guzzlers

Meet some of the students on the national champion University of Texas club climbing team  and see what it takes to excel at this demanding sport. The annual West Texas mountain bike festival is a great time for anyone who would like to go fixin’ or freewheelin’ around the old frontier. Follow along with some biologists as they work to save struggling Texas shorebirds, from the endangered piping plover to the threatened snowy plover.

Collegiate Climbers, Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest, Shorebird Survival

Meet an Austin man who took up hunting and fishing as an adult and is determined to pass along these traditions to his sons. At first glance scrubby, thorny and spindly, Big Bend plants take on new beauty when you learn how to read them. See what it takes to unearth artifacts from a battle that took place over a hundred years ago and learn more about Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the historic battle that took place there.

The Dove Hunter, Big Bend Plants, A Spirit Rises

Discover the biggest park in all of Texas. Beautiful night skies, river carved canyons, and magnificent mountains combine to make Big Bend National Park a place to remember.

Big Bend National Park

Discover an abundance of birds in the brushlands of south Texas. Catch some fish and make some friends on the coastal fishing piers. And travel back in time on the Texas State Railroad.

Brushland Birds, Fishing Piers & Old Trains

Traverse the Trinity River near Dallas by canoe or kayak. Get some tips for safe, and accurate, shotgun shooting. Thirty years ago the Desert Bighorn Sheep was mostly gone from Texas. See what was being done to bring back the Bighorn.

Dallas Paddling, Shotguns & Bighorn Sheep

Discover the spectacularly dark skies of West Texas, and meet some folks who are working to keep them dark. Take a trip back in time through the discovery of ancient rock art. Enjoy the beauty of a wide open Panhandle ranch.

Dark Skies, Ranch Restoration & Rockin' Art

See what’s happening with Texas’ four distinct quail species. Get above and below the clear water of Balmorhea Springs. Travel Texas with some snowbirds in their RVs.

Catching Up on Quail, Balmorhea Cool & RVs

Meet some of the folks that fight fires in the Texas state parks. See how one very young man from Corpus Christi is trying to help keep trash out of the water. Watch some rascally rabbits munch a bunch of lunch.

Wild Firefighters, Cup Crusaders & Rabbits

Learn how a Texas woman takes refuge from Autism by hunting. Meet some modern day falconers and find out what draws them to these birds of prey. Head to East Texas and relax among the tall pines.

Refuge From the Storm, Flying Falcons & Piney Woods

Spend a few days with Texas game wardens as they patrol the waters off South Padre Island on a sixty foot boat. Enjoy a look at some of Central Texas’ finest swimming holes and see what has been done to conserve them. Jump off the cliff at Franklin Mountains State Park.

Wardens on a Boat, Swimming Holes & Flying at Franklin

See how biologists learn about the lives and habits of wildlife using satellite transmitters. Travel back in time with Texas photographer Wyman Meinzer. Fly above Big Bend in the early morning light.

Sky High Eye, Wyman's Camera & Big Bend Above

Go sand surfing a long way away from the ocean at Monahans Sandhills State Park. Meet the Gibson family, and follow along with them as they volunteer their time to help others learn about the outdoors. See how life was lived along the Texas/Mexico border back before it was a river and not a wall.

Surfing Sands, Volunteer Family & Border Life

Meet wildlife artist Clemente Guzman and find out where is inspiration comes from. Find out what rafting the Rio Grande is all about. A large group of barn swallows make their home at a small Balmorhea motel.

Wild Artist, Rio Grande Rafting & Balmorhea Birds

Travel to a birding hotspot that might be considered a marginal nature haven. Get in the water with some Texas game wardens as they learn how to get out of a sinking helicopter. Remember D-Day with some veterans who served on the Battleship Texas.

Birds of Smell, Helicopter Training & Remembering D-Day

Travel to southeast Texas to hunt alligators at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area. The Neches Refuge in East Texas is a haven for a lot of wildlife species. Spend some time with a singer who takes an environmental message to city schools.

Gator Hunt, Neches Refuge & the Ecotainer

Meet the El Paso trail builder who is still working away at age seventy nine. Almost twenty years ago the last of the Southern Plains Bison herd was moved from the J.A. Ranch to Caprock Canyons State Park. See the shifting sands of Monahans.

El Paso Trails, Saving Some Bison & Shifting Sands

Follow a group of friends as they compete in the Great Texas Birding Classic. Discover the timeless beauty of Caddo Lake. Watch as the river rises in a hurry at Colorado Bend State Park.

Friendly Flockers, Caddo Lake & a Rising River

Take a peek at the burrowing owls of El Paso. Marvel at the rare chance to see three species of Kingfishers in one place at one time. See how a manmade wetland is cleaning the water for the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

El Paso Owls, Three Kingfishers & Richland Creek Water

Attend a night photography class near Big Bend Ranch State Park. An event at an Austin park teaches families how to catch fish, and how to cook them. We remember the late Dave Alloway, an expert in the art of survival.

Night Photography, Fishing at Mueller & Some Survival Tips

Meet some folks whose mission is to help build homes for purple martins. Follow a husband and wife team as they trap, tag and follow Black Bears in West Texas. See how Texas Parks and Wildlife employees mobilized to help wildlife after and oil spill.

Purple Palaces, Big Black Bears & Cleaning It Up

The Pecos Pupfish is on the edge of extinction but a group of biologists is trying to help save the species. Meet the social media coordinator whose job it is to connect you with the outdoors. Travel to Sundown Island to see how Chester Smith takes care of all the birds.

Moving Mule Deer, Social Mediator & a Yoga Hike

Butterflies bring beauty to the world. But butterflies are at risk. What are we doing to reverse this troubling trend? View Enchanted Rock through the use of time lapse photography. The late Geraldine Watson spent her life protecting and restoring the Big Thicket area of southeast Texas.

Butterfly Beauty, Enchanted Rock & the Inspiring Ecologist

Crawl inside the caves at Colorado Bend State Park with some dedicated spelunkers. Dr. Cynthia Brandimarte makes sure that the history of state parks is easily accessible. The Fuentes family of Corpus Christi have been going to Garner State Park every Fourth of July for over 20 years.

Feral Hogs, History Keeper & Going to Garner

Scientists and geologists use laser technology to restore ancient rock art at Hueco Tanks State Park. Outdoor clubs are a great way to discover nature, and make new friends. Visit a manmade pond that gets taken over every spring by frogs.

Cave Crawlers, Outdoor Clubbing & a Frog Pond

A weekly outdoors/nature series focusing on the incredible diversity of wildlife, scenic locations and fascinating characters that make Texas unique.

All Episodes of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Browse all episodes of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Season 1