Wanderlist – Holidays in the Parks

On the Podcast, producer Randall Maxwell talks with Tiffany Osburn President of Hill Country Land Trust, as well as Texas Parks and Wildlife's Chris Abernathy, Program Coordinator for the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program. Both Tiffany and Chris help landowners and conservationists alike to protect some of the most treasured and historic landscapes in Texas.

There’s one thing a lot of Texans actually love to see this time of year, but it’s pretty rare in some parts of the state. Can you guess what it is? Snow, of course. On the final Wanderlist of the season, we discuss places in Texas it might just snow. We’ll also share some of our listener's snow sightings from across the state.

The Texas Stream Team is a group of trained citizen scientists who collect and sample water quality all over the state. Often, they are the ones who sound the alarm to state agencies charged with protecting our water resources. On the podcast we'll learn about a unique group of first responders who are taking their passion for water to a scientific level.

On the podcast we talk with Melissa Alderson who is the Conservation Education Manager at Texas Parks and Wildlife. We’ll learn why she's so passionate about water, and she'll also share with us common sense tips on saving water and why it's so important – and not just for our future, but also for the future of wildlife.

The holidays are upon us and it's time to be festive in the outdoors. On the podcast, we'll speak with State Parks marketing and branding director Thomas Wilhelm. He’ll share what opportunities Texas State Parks have to offer you this holiday season.

Every fall the days get shorter and the leaves turn a magnificent bouquet of rich colors on trees all across the state. Join us as we discuss the beauty of fall colors in our state parks.

Protecting the natural resources of Texas is an important function of conservation. That's the daily charge of Texas Game Wardens and why we have laws on hunting, fishing, and boating in our state. On the podcast, we'll ride along with Texas Game Warden Kegan Gould as he patrols Llano County during the opening weekend of White-tailed Deer season for rifle hunters.

November is National Native American Heritage Month. On the podcast, we'll speak with Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Regional Interpretive Specialist Cassie Cox, and Archeology Lab Director Aina Dodge, to learn how Native American heritage is being recognized and preserved in Texas State Parks.

Going camping is like being in a giant playground where kids and adults can explore, share experiences and learn about the natural world; it's especially fun in a Texas State Park. On the podcast we'll visit with two families who have made state park camping a tradition together, and are building memories and educating their children about the wonders of nature in the Texas Hill Country.

There are some great places to hike in Texas, and they are even greater when you take your most loyal friend. On the podcast, we'll visit with Melissa Gaskill, author of “Best Hikes with Dogs: Texas Hill Country and Coast.” We'll also reveal some of our listener's favorite hiking spots, under the Texas sky.