Texas is big. If you haven’t been to Texas you have seen it on a map. No matter how you look at the state, it is big.
The enormous geographic size creates a challenge when it comes to communicating to staff if they are spread across the state. Brent Leisure, Director of Texas State Parks
Brent Leisure, Director of Texas State Parks, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss how to communicate when parks and staff are spread out. Communicating with a large staff in difficult. It becomes more delicate when the large staff is spread out in such a large state.
Director Leisure also discusses the challenge of inviting more diverse users to parks.
It is not enough to open the gates and say everyone is welcome to come. You have to reach out. Texas State Parks has implemented programs to engage a diverse population. They make an effort to attract urban visitors, visitors with little outdoor experience, visitors from diverse racial backgrounds. The lands and water the state has set aside are places where all demographics can come together to share experiences.
I’m actually in the Texas State Parks Ambassador program at the moment, the one that’s mentioned in this episode. Just got done with a week’s worth of training in which I camped and backpacked with 30 other young folks as well as some amazing TPWD staff. I’ve been a long time listener to this podcast and I guess hearing all the stories of people who have done their part for the conservation movement helped motivate me to do something as well. Keep up the good work, I appreciate it. – Skyler
Thank you, Skyler. There will be an episode of the Park Leaders Show about the Texas State Park Ambassador Program. I look forward to finding out more about this great program.
As a citizen of Balmorhea, Texas, the Balmorhea State Park at San Soloman Springs is crucial to the econonmy of this area.. I would like to see more events planned for visitors,children and citizens of the area.When the park instituted the requirement that you had to park inside the park in order to get a pass , it discouraged many locals. I understand that has been changed.
Mr Liesure gave an interview to the Houston Chronicle stating that the pool provided drinking water to thousands. If the water was drinkable, I assure you that Balmorhea, Toyah and all the surrounding area would have been using it in years past. The water provided to Toyah come from Big Aguga spring int the Davis Mountains. The spring was given to Balmorhea with the stipulation that Toyah Texas and Balmorhea would be provided water. It comes from a different source than San Solomon Springs. Balmorhea now gets their water from a well in the Davis Mt. It is good water very drinkable.
I am in agreement that the springs should be protected and preserved.The citizens in Balmorhea enjoy the water flowing through the irrigation canals flowing through the town. Tourists who cannot get admitted to the park come and let their children swim in the downtown cana
l. They relax in the shade of the trees and cook on the grills in the park.jThe springs are vital to this area.
As far as the oilfield goes, the companies involved have been cognizant of all the flora and fauna, water and other attributes of the area.
Just remember, this water is used for irrigation and is very important to the area. It is not used for drinking water.
Balmorhea had a number of wells, but like most of the wells drilled in this area the water is not very good. We are thankful for the water that comes from the Davis Mountains. It comes from a different aquifer than the underlying Rustler formation that is in most of this area.
Thank you for your comments, Joy. It is important for parks to have active and interested citizens like you.