The Texas Parks and Wildlife public television series is embarking on a journey into its 40th season, an achievement that speaks volumes to longevity and public interest in the state's rich natural history and cultural heritage. As reported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Emmy Award-winning show will kick off its latest season this Sunday, with over 1,100 stories under its belt across nearly four decades of broadcasting.
Series producer Kyle Banowsky expressed his astonishment at the show's expansive coverage, "It’s amazing to think this show has told more 1,100 stories across more than 900 episodes in its first 39 seasons," also noting how the program has both entertained viewers and documented Texas' engagement with the outdoors, the series, which originated in 1985 under the title Made in Texas, has evolved from a monthly, single-topic documentary to its current format, which it adopted in 1991 featuring a variety of segments in each episode, whether it's on Texas PBS stations, other public stations nationwide, PBS online, or the TPWD YouTube channel the half-hour program is reaching audiences far and wide.
Walking away with an impressive haul of over 40 Lone Star Emmy awards so far, the show celebrated five Emmy nominations this year in various categories for the 2024 Lone Star Emmy Awards set to take place on November 23, and this feat solidifies the program’s status as a heavyweight in the regional television landscape. Not shying away from the challenges and triumphs of everyday Texans who are pivotal in conservation efforts, the program showcases a diverse array of activities from conservation initiatives to fun family outings.
In expressing the show's mission, Banowsky added “Our hope is to inspire you to get outdoors and visit the natural places in our state,” according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and with stories in the lineup that include following biologists studying black bears, accompanying 'whooper watchers', and even sharing wild game recipes the show will not only inform but also entertain and perhaps even inspire viewers to take a more active role in preserving the state’s natural heritage, giving them a taste of the nature that exists in their proverbial backyards.
The audience has played a critical role in the show's success, and this hasn't gone unnoticed by the production team. "We appreciate the viewers and got a lot of positive feedback from our audience, many of whom especially enjoy our weekly ‘Postcards from Texas’ segment which are little nature moments that appear during the credits at the end of every show," shared Banowsky in a statement that emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between the show’s production and its viewership as for the future, TPWD plans to officially celebrate the anniversary in January, with a slate of activities that will be announced on its website and social media channels, encouraging fans to stay tuned for what's in store as the series enters its 40th calendar year.
