Under The Texas Sky

The Dutch Oven is the go-to tool for cooking over an open fire, especially at Texas State Parks. In this podcast Cecilia Nasti and Randall Maxwell introduce you to Cowboy Cook, Tim Spice, as he teaches members of Les Dames d'Escoffier--women in the culinary industry-- about going Dutch.

On Wanderlist, Cecilia Nasti and Louie Bond discuss towns that celebrate their native sons and daughters of the written word. Then, Louie takes us to Kyle, Texas to visit the childhood home of the author Katherine Anne Porter, who wrote the highly acclaimed novel, Ship of Fools.

At Texas State Parks you’ll find adventure and interesting folks—like park staff that keep the places humming. On the podcast, producer Abe Moore takes us to South Llano River State Park, where we meet a fascinating man who not only works at the park, but lives there, too.

Texas has been the stage for many epic movies over the years. On this Wanderlist, we’ll discuss films that put Texas on the silver screen. From wide landscapes to small towns, it’s lights, camera, action in the Lone Star State.

Austin singer/songwriter Bill Oliver, better known in music and environmental circles as Mr. Habitat, writes and performs songs with messages of environmental stewardship for all who will listen. We highlight Bill's life and work in our occasional feature, The Art of Nature.

An ideal way to chill on a sultry summer day in Texas is in a swimming hole. On this Wanderlist, we take a deep dive into cool waters, letting you know the top places to immerse yourself in the best Texas has to offer when nature brings the heat.

U.S. Park Rangers are in the business of preserving natural, historic and cultural resources within our National Parks. On this episode, producer Randall Maxwell introduces us to U.S. Parks Ranger Rosi Ferioli, whose beat is the Padre Island National Seashore.

Bats are enigmatic nocturnal flying mammals. There are over 14-hundred species that we know of worldwide, 33 of which are known to live in Texas. Many are threatened. And Dr. Merlin Tuttle--part Indiana Jones and part Bill Nye the Science Guy--has led the bat conservation charge worldwide.

Bats are mysterious and magnificent creatures, often seen decorating the evening sky as they fly out of caves, sinkholes, forests, and from underneath bridges. In this episode, we’ll talk about bat emergences and where to safely see them. We’ll also answer questions you submitted via our Instagram account last week.

Wearing the right shoes ensures your comfort and safety when at Texas State Parks and natural areas, where terrain is variable. In this episode, "shoe guy" Sean Bibby of Whole Earth Provisions tells us how to shop for the right shoes to help us safely navigate nature and walk comfortably.

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.