Radio News
Posted Dec. 6, 2011 (Through Dec. 6, 2012)
State Parks Donations
Record drought and heat, devastating wildfires, and a drop in visitation have led to a critical situation for state parks. Texas Parks and Wildlife must raise $4.6 million dollars to help keep parks open, and Texas citizens can lend a hand.
Below find a complete story and sound bites about this issue from Carter Smith, Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife.
1:05 [Complete Story 
(MP3 254.4 KB)]
TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith explains why your help is needed at Texas State Parks now more than ever.
:23—We’ve had a season of record drought and devastating wildfires, and all of that has caused declines in park visitation and revenue. We depend upon our state park visitors to help keep our state parks open so that all Texans can use and enjoy them. But, if we’re going to do that, we’ve got to raise $4.6 million dollars, and we need to do it very quickly if we’re going to keep these special places open for all Texans to enjoy. [Sound Bite
Helping your state parks is easy.
:24—For all of us who cares about these special treasures, there’s three simple ways we all can help. You can go to our website and make a tax deductible contribution to help support your state parks. Coming January when you go to renew your vehicle registration, you’re going to be given an opportunity to make a $5 or more contribution to support your state parks. And also, most importantly, take your family out and go visit one of your state parks and do it as often as you can. [Sound Bite
The best thing any Texan can do is to visit their state parks, because unlike some other states, Texas depends on visitor fees to help support the operations and maintenance and stewardship of state parks.
:13—So by the simple act of you taking your family out and going out and enjoying and visiting a state park, you’re actually helping to support those same state parks and so those fees which are dedicated to help support the parks are am important way for all of us can help. So by the simple act of all of us going out and visiting a state park you’re helping to keep your parks well stewarded and well cared for. So go out and have fun and take your family out and enjoy your state parks. It will help all of them. [Sound Bite
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