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Nature Notes Nature Notes explores the natural world of the Llano Estacado and the Chihuahuan Desert. We look at the plants, animals, and ecology of this unique region, as well as places to experience it and people working to conserve it. This free 4 1/2-minute weekly environmental feature is produced by Marfa Public Radio in Marfa, Texas, in conjunction with the Sibley Nature Center in Midland, Texas. Through interviews with scientists and field recordings, Nature Notes reveals the secrets of desert life. The program airs Tuesday and Thursday on KRTS Marfa at 93.5 FM and KXWT at 91.3 FM in the Permian Basin.
Nature Notes

Podcast Directory
Nature Notes

Nature Notes

From Marfa Public Radio

Nature Notes explores the natural world of the Llano Estacado and the Chihuahuan Desert. We look at the plants, animals, and ecology of this unique region, as well as places to experience it and people working to conserve it. This free 4 1/2-minute weekly environmental feature is produced by Marfa Public Radio in Marfa, Texas, in conjunction with the Sibley Nature Center in Midland, Texas. Through interviews with scientists and field recordings, Nature Notes reveals the secrets of desert life. The program airs Tuesday and Thursday on KRTS Marfa at 93.5 FM and KXWT at 91.3 FM in the Permian Basin.

Most Recent Episodes

Dive into deep time: discovering the vanished creatures of Big Bend's ancient sea

West Texas today is high and dry. But long ago it was beneath a shallow sea. In "Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Animals of Big Bend," the book's authors guide readers into the region's singular fossil record — including the teeming life of this ancient ocean.

Dive into deep time: discovering the vanished creatures of Big Bend's ancient sea

Listen · 4:00

Of rain and redolence: Sept. 14 talk by Gary Nabhan is a journey into the desert 'osmocosm'

Our region's vistas are iconic, but its desert scent — especially after a rain — is just as distinctive. Renowned writer Gary Nabhan will speak on the fragrances of the Chihuahua desert at Marfa's Crowley theater.

Of rain and redolence: Sept. 14 talk by Gary Nabhan is a journey into the desert 'osmocosm'

Listen · 4:00

A new book brings Big Bend's ancient animals to life

Big Bend National Park has a singular fossil record, spanning 130 million years. In "Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Animals of Big Bend," that epic story is told, bringing vanished creatures, and vanished worlds, to life.

Autumnal glory: probing the mysteries of West Texas Aspens

The West Texas sky island mountains sustain wondrous biodiversity, but there's one particularly graceful being concealed here: Populus tremuloides, the trembling aspen. New research into West Texas aspens could shed light on their history, and on the continent-wide story of this iconic species.

In "Cemetery Birding," discovering bittersweet beauty close at hand

Jennifer Bristol's new book, "Cemetery Birding," takes readers into the bittersweet beauty of these reflective places. Bristol is the keynote speaker at this year's sold-out Davis Mountains Hummingbird Celebration.

On the centennial, Texas state parks are poised for a "new golden age"

In November, Texans will vote on the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a billion dollars to buy new state parklands. It would be a victory for a long fight for state-park funding.

On the centennial, Texas state parks are poised for a "new golden age"

Listen · 4:00

On the centennial, remembering the women activists behind Texas state parks

Few policy matters unite Texas as broadly as state parks. Yet, the history of this beloved institution is one of uphill political battles. As the Texas state park system marks its centennial, a new book reveals the central role women activists played in its origins.

On the centennial, remembering the women activists behind Texas state parks

Listen · 4:00

100 years on, chronicling the origin of Texas state parks

As the state parks system marks its centennial, a new book chronicles its history and showcases the visionary Texans who birthed one of the state's most beloved institutions.

West Texas Jurassic: new fossils are a Texas first

Thanks to Hollywood, the Jurassic Period — with its dinosaurs and other charismatic reptiles — holds a special place in the popular imagination. But the Jurassic in Texas has long been a blank. Now that's changed.

On an isolated hill, archeologists unearth an unknown Chihuahuan Desert society

The ancient Egyptians lived in an arid land, but they marshaled the Nile River's floodwaters to build a farming society. Now, researchers have learned something similar unfolded in our region's deep past.

On an isolated hill, archeologists unearth an unknown Chihuahuan Desert society

Listen · 4:00
Nature Notes

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