In South Padre, Texans Have Rescued More Than 4,000 “Cold-Stunned” Sea Turtles
Conservationists worked to bring the endangered animals to shore—but getting the turtles warm amid a blackout is the next challenge.
Articles by Pam LeBlanc
As More Novices Head to the Wilderness, Rescues Are Spiking at Some Texas State Parks
Big Bend Ranch State Park and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area both saw a 50 percent surge in backcountry rescues last year.
Sanderson Is an Underrated, Adventurous West Texas Escape
This scrappy town on the edge of the Big Bend region has a trendy motel, pistol-packing waitresses, and starry nights aplenty.
North Texas Artist Jon Flaming’s Paintings Are a Love Letter to Cowboy Culture
Flaming grew up in suburbia, dreaming of his grandparents’ cattle ranch. His work is angular, almost cubist, reimagining the Western art genre.
Cold-Water Paddling Is for the Brrrave
Winter kayaking and canoeing are catching on, even among heat-loving Texans.
Meet an Intrepid Texan Who Spends Winters at the South Pole
Rockport resident Wayne White has worked for much of the last three years in Antarctica, where temperatures of minus 100 degrees don’t keep him from taking his daily walk or jog.
Five Great Gravel Grinding Routes in Texas
Where cyclists can pedal past some stunning views and historic sites.
Texas Cyclists Are Discovering the Joys of Gravel Grinding
Why many are exchanging paved roads and traffic for rural routes and breathtaking scenery.
Getting Away From It All, on Wheels: Texans Take to Camper Vans and RVs
One Austin-based rental website saw bookings spike by 4,500 percent. Plus: six tips for first-timers.
Meet the Ocelot Whisperer
Documentarian Ben Masters tracks some of the few Leopardus pardalis that are left in Texas.
Where to Get Outside While Social Distancing
There are places across the state where you can commune with nature, if not one another.
Big Bend National Park Is Closed for Now
In what’s normally the beloved park’s peak season, officials make the call for the safety of employees and area locals during the pandemic.
Racing to Preserve Rock Art in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands
As part of the ambitious Alexandria Project, West Texas archaeologists are documenting several hundred pictographs in just four years.
What’s on the Horizon for Big Bend National Park
After an eventful first year as superintendent, Bob Krumenaker has a vision for the park's future as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.
J. David Bamberger on Fifty Years of Coaxing His Blanco County Ranch Back to Life
The ninety-year-old conservationist and fried-chicken tycoon reflects on land stewardship—and the invaluable lessons he learned as a young door-to-door salesman.