Park hosts needed in Texas State parks

Park Hosts are volunteers who supplement park staff and serve as a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Hosts greet campers and give assistance to park visitors and park staff.

More than fifty State Parks, located throughout the state in a variety of scenic settings, have host positions available. Most parks have opportunities for fishing, hiking, viewing wildlife and other recreational activities.

Hosts are used seasonally in some, and at all times of the year in others. Hosts usually serve a minimum of one month; this may be extended with the approval of the Park Superintendent.

The primary duty of the Park Host is to assist park visitors by providing information. Hosts will need to become familiar with park regulations and points of interest in and near the park. Hosts may also be asked to perform duties such as litter collection and light maintenance, will serve about 25 hours per week, and be given days when they will not be on duty.

Host sites have water and electrical hookups, and many furnish sewer hookups as well. Hosts will be trained by park staff, and uniform items are provided to identify them as park volunteers.

Contact:
Lori Reiley
TPWD - State Parks Division
4200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, Tx. 78744-3291
512-389-4746
Lori.Reiley@tpwd.state.tx.us

Free fishing in Texas State Parks

The program of Free Fishing in State Parks was designed to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great sport of fishing, long one of the most popular activities in the U.S.

To accomplish this, Texas Parks & Wildlife has waived the normal fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside the property boundary of a Texas state park. Once you've paid the park entrance fees, no one needs a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater, adult or child, as long as they're inside the state park. Bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply--and be enforced.

This applies to fishing from the bank, a pier, river or creek fishing, and fishing from a boat, if the water body is fully contained within the state park boundary. You can even wadefish in the coastal state parks along park property.

You can enjoy the Free Fishing in State Parks program at more than 50 state parks, and at numerous Wildlife Management Areas across Texas. There will also be fishing events throughout the year—from kids’ fishing derbies to “Learn to Fish” seminars. Some parks will be providing loaner equipment and bait. Go here for a list of parks where you can fish as well as a list of fishing events.

Birds of prey presentation comes to Blanco State Park

Visitors to Blanco State Park will have two opportunities to see live birds of prey up close when Save Our American Raptors comes to the park next week. The first presentation will be at 5:00pm Wednesday, January 13. The second presentation will be especially for young children and their parents, and will be held during the regularly scheduled “Romper Rangers” program at 10am Thursday, January 14.

Save Our American Raptors, Inc. is a non-profit birds of prey environmental education organization founded in Florida by Doris Mager in 1983. Their mission is to educate people about the magnificent birds of prey (or raptors) of America. They do this by bringing live birds of prey to locations for fun and informative presentations that feature a variety of birds. Blanco State Park will again this year have the honor of having Doris Mager in the park with her birds. Many Blanco residents and especially children will remember her presentation last winter with “E.T.” the Great-Horned Owl among others.

These programs are presented at no extra cost, just the entry fee for a day use permit to Blanco State Park; $4 for adults, $2 for seniors over 65, children under 13 and Texas State Park Pass members are free. For more information, contact Mary Alice Partain, park interpretive ranger at 830-833-4333 or maryalice. partain@tpwd.state.tx.us.