My experiences in our national parks have had a profound impact on my life. I’ve only come to truly appreciate them in recent years despite having lived only miles away from the San Antonio Missions. Spending time in these beautiful parts of our land that preserve not just their natural beauty but also our own history has been amazingly rewarding. Being the proud Tejana that I am, I have some exciting news to share with you about the national parks of Texas! Read on …
Next week, people will get to revisit their favorite national park in Texas memories or see parts of them for the very first time. The National Parks of Texas: In Contact With Beauty will are to the national PBS system in recognition of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. This 60-minute documentary highlights the natural, cultural, historic and recreational significance of the 16 national parks in Texas. Leave it to us Tejanos to show off! Pero, it’s exciting because now we get to share our national parks with everyone, too!
The National Parks of Texas: In Contact With Beauty will air at 7 pm April 26, 2016 on Texas PBS stations. The national parks in Texas offer a rich and diverse collection of treasured places that welcomed more than 5 million visitors in 2014, generating nearly $340 million in local economic activity and supporting 3,700 private-sector jobs.
Andalé tweet that! [Tweet “TX national parks generate nearly $340M in local economic activity #yourTXpark”]
“Our country’s national parks are a remarkable achievement, preserving spectacular landscapes, special pieces of our shared history and unique species,” said Kierstan Schwab, Texas PBS executive director. “We are proud to have the opportunity to bring to our viewers this amazing celebration of the parks that are right here in Texas, right in our own backyards.”
“In celebration of the National Park Service Centennial, we are honored to bring this film to life, showing. From Big Bend, our first national park to our newest site at Waco Mammoth, our state offers diverse national park sites that capture history, honor culture, protect the planet, provide peace and solitude, engage children and restore the soul,” said Courtney Lyons-Garcia, Executive Director of Big Bend Conservancy.
Which reminds me, Queridos, I need to get to Waco. I’ve not been to the Waco Mammoth National Monument. Have you? The Waco Mammoth Site became a part of the National Park System in July 2015 when President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation. From mammoths to missions to mountains, Texas has it all.
In a recent post on Instagram, Jose Gonzalez (founder of Latino Outdoors), stated “you are a future ancestor” as part of an inspiring statement about self-reflection. Y sabes que? Those words immediately reminded me of a moment I had during our family vacation in Big Bend National Park. As I stood in awe of the natural beauty that we have right here in our own state, I prayed in silence that many generations after us would get to experience this beauty, too. But it’s going to be up to those of us who love our parks and love our land to preserve it for them. And that’s one major reason I want everyone to watch this documentary with us.
“This film captures how spectacular Texas’ national parks are and shows why these parks, and national parks around the country, need to be preserved and protected for future generations,” said Suzanne Dixon, National Park Conservation Association’s senior regional director. “In the same year that we’re celebrating the National Park Service’s centennial, this is our chance to renew our promise to America, to ourselves and to the generations that come after us. Together, we can dust off our old albums, flip through faded family photos of the Missions in San Antonio and bears at Big Bend, and do what is needed to protect America’s best idea.”
#yourTXpark Twitter Chat with @KLRN and @QueMeansWhat
Please join me and KLRN, San Antonio’s PBS station for a Twitter Chat during the premiere of The National Parks of Texas: In Contact with Beauty!
You can follow along using the hashtag #yourTXPark and you can find me @QueMeansWhat and KLRN at @KLRN. Our very special guest is the film’s producer, Lynn Boswell! We will start the chat at 7 p.m. CST. So, turn on your TV and your second screen to chat with us on Twitter!
Tell your friends and RSVP for the chat on this Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/593922160782498/ See you there!
