Under the Texas Sky

On this edition of Wanderlist, TPW magazine Editor Louie Bond shares fishing and camping opportunities to enjoy with family--and especially with dad. She also talks with TPWD photographer Chase Fountain about how spending time outdoors with his daughters after a family tragedy brought them closer.

Texas Game Wardens ensure the protection of our natural resources and our people. Nearly nine percent of Texas Game Wardens are women; on the podcast we meet Officer Joann Garza-Mayberry and learn how her path to becoming a Game Warden was anything but straight and narrow.

No matter your ability, nature is waiting for you. On this edition of Under the Texas Sky’s Wanderlist, Cecilia Nasti and Louie Bond talk about accessibility in the great outdoors.

We'll unravel the mystery of how capturing rainwater sustains and conserves at the same time, with special guests farmer Tim Miller of Millberg Farm in Kyle, Texas, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Green Team members Annalise Reichert and Christy Seals.

Throughout the years, Texas cities and towns have been the inspiration for songs. In this edition of Under the Texas Sky's Wanderlist, producer Randall Maxwell and TPW magazine editor Louie Bond share the backstories behind the music and lyrics that keep Texans and the world tapping their toes from El Paso to Galveston and points in-between.

What you eat and drink plays an important role in your stamina and stregnth when engaging in outdoor activities. Self proclaimed non-diet dietician Tina Laboy of Austin is on the podcast to talk about feeding our bodies for optimal outdoor output.

Join us as we explore how nature tourism grew from just birdwatching to include outdoor activities and events like paddling, wildlife-watching competitions, and other ways of connecting with nature – including apps that enhance your experience – with special guest Shelly Plante, Texas Parks and Wildlife Nature Tourism manager.

This week’s Wanderlist features Cecilia Nasti and Louie Bond exploring places you can go in Texas to see birds of prey like eagles, hawks and falcons: the raptors. Cecilia talks with state ornithologist Cliff Shackelford about one big apex predator in particular – the Caracara.

Increase your chances of harvesting a longbeard this spring by "talking turkey." Hunter Education coordinator Steve Hall demonstrates the various ways to call turkeys to you in the field.

Join producer Randall Maxwell and TPW magazine editor, Louie Bond, for the first episode of our new feature, Wanderlist, as we explore amazing places with wildflowers. Randall also chats with Andrea DeLong-Amaya of Austin’s Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. They answer questions submitted earlier by listeners via our Instagram account @TexasParksWildlife.

Wildlife artist Clemente Guzman is a master of pen, pencil and brush, and he illustrated Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine for 29 years. We talk to the artist about his wild work, and his journey telling the stories of nature through art. This is a segment in our occasional series, Art of Nature.

Wildfires can be scary. But they’re nature’s way of clearing areas for plant growth and help preserve native plants that support wildlife. Humans suppressed these natural wildfires, making them worse when they do occur. Listen in as we visit Austin’s Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and learn how “prescribed burning” – starting planned, controlled fires, preserves diverse habitat.

If you’re into fresh, locally-sourced food and connecting with nature, join us as our group forages for wild foods. Then Austin chef and author Jesse Griffiths cooks them into an awesome meal. All this freshness takes place at ecological showpiece Llano Springs Ranch, part of the new Explore Ranches conservation enterprise.

Join us for the debut of our new occasional series, The Art of Nature, where we tell the stories of artists that create art to tell stories about nature. In this episode, we spotlight San Antonio painter Jesus Toro Martinez, reminding us we’re not just observers, but also characters in the saga of life.

Spotted sea trout is wildly popular with people who fish the Texas coast. This episode we’ll find out how this tasty salt-water trout is raised, and how it’s protected through fishing regulations. Chef Cindy Haenel demonstrates cooking sea trout meunière – so good – and shares the simply delicious recipe.