The Lost Rider Podcast with Herman Brune

Doug Doubios is a Huntmaster with the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP). This is a program founded by the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA). The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). joins forces with this program, and the Hunters Education Program an essential element. In the scope of recruiting young hunters the organization also offers education to first time adult hunters. The TYHP was begun in 1996 and has taken approximately 90,000 young people afield. It's offered for youth nine to 17 years old.  

Mia Anstine is a Colorado outdoor writer. She's familiar with issues concerning wildlife throughout the West. Currently, there's a ballot item looking to make "hunting and fishing" a state constitutional right in Colorado. The anti-hunting crowd is pushing back. Their stance is that the outdoor sportsmen's community has too much influence in game laws. Colorado is one of the states notorious for ballot box biology. Outdoor sportsmen believe, as well as, rely on game departments using wildlife biologists to set game regulations. The issue is echoing across western states. It will be up to the voters of Colorado to decide whether they have and retain the "right" to hunt and fish. Other states are watching.

The First National Bank of Bastrop and the First State Bank of Columbus, Texas have merged. Stephen Lee represented the FNB as he and Brune discuss the future of our growing state of Texas. Lee is emphatic that FNB believes in "people". They believe in small business, individual needs, and agriculture. He also points out that there are only two giant metro areas in Texas that are not connected by interstates - they are Austin and Houston. He believes there is a race between U.S. 290 and the I-10, Hwy 71 routes as being the main corridors between the cities. Lee expects growth for Colorado County. However, there is no prediction what that growth will look like. He implores that retaining hospitals and good schools is essential. It's his plan that the merger of the banks will benefit the community, and that they are committed to seeing the community grow in a healthy manner. 

Paul Fuzinski, documentarian and independent videographer, visits with Brune about his upcoming plans for a documentary about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

While Brune believes that it must be taught K - 12 and again in college. Fuzinski says that it's such an involved topic that it must be tackled in video. The history must be told, as well as , current affairs must be disseminated. Both men agree that it's a shame more effort hasn't been committed to teaching the model. However, both men agree that it's up to them to make the difference. Brune also believes that collegiate scholarships, youth awards, and adult awards may be the ticket to spreading knowledge.

Fuzinski goes on to say that folks must work together. He relates that it's a shame the hunting and fishing communities have had to carry the load on conservation while the backpack tax has never gained traction. 

CEO of the Corpus Christi Port Authority Kent Britton relates events from the past year, as well as, what to look forward to in the upcoming future. He also explains the differences between the Oil and Gas transports in the Houston Ship Channel and the exports leaving Corpus Christi. Britton also talks about the container business that is almost exclusive to Houston. However, facilities to receive containers in Copus Christi are coming soon. This will open up more commerce towards South Texas, San Antonio, and into Mexico towards Monterrey. It's expected that while some of this may be handled through trucking, the bulk of it may be by rail. Also, the TCEQ has signed off on the permit allowing for the seawater desalination plant on Harbor Island. He says that had it not been for Spring and early Summer rains Corpus Christi was running out of water. Presently, the pipeline from Lake Texana is closed for repairs and Corpus is reliant on its lakes and groundwater. The permitted seawater desal plant will start production at 50 million gallons of daily freshwater and expand to 100 million gallons. An Israeli company is partnering in the building of the desal plant.

Brune elaborates on one of his favorite subjects. He discusses the art of good communication. It is about respecting other folks enough to think before you talk. Don't beleaguer people with clichés and meaningless words. Don't explain your ideas or position with overused and worn out catch phrases.

He gives examples: The word "important". What is important to one person may be moot to another. The word "work"; what is one person's misery may be another's recreation. Phrases such as "fair share" (when discussing taxes) are common during election cycles, but the explanation is subjective.

The only perceivable "fair share" would be if everyone paid nothing! Another falsely used terminology is "trophy hunting". The user must explain their thoughts. Otherwise, "trophy hunting" in actuality is animal husbandry applied to wildlife management. Good communication is simple if people only give a second of thought before they speak.  

David Morris is an Emergency Response and Hazard Waste Crisis Management Consultant.

He's given his expert testimony to The News from the Camp House radio program, and The Lost Rider podcast, numerous times.

It was Morris who, 25 years ago, explained the process of discarding the super saturated concentrate discharge associated with seawater desalination.

This water process technology was first used in 1984 at the Bryan Mound Strategic Oil Reserve.

On today's episode Brune and Morris discuss the pitiful nature of communication by the Oil and Gas industry. "There's good actors and actors.

The problem is that the bad actors are the only ones recognized and the majority of good folks trying to do what's right get no credit, " says Morris. He also allows that he's implemented good practices at refineries in Africa and other points internationally.

From a communications viewpoint, the Oil and Gas industry may be their own worst enemy. 

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This is a fast-moving interview with the Nueces River Authority Executive Director, John Byrum. It is an update on the progress of the largest seawater desalination plant in the U.S. being built near Port Aransas on Harbor Island. Brune relates to Byrum that Public Trust is at an all-time low, and asks whose responsibility is it to establish good will? Should state senators and representatives be more active in their respective communities? Instead of saying the public needs to attend hearings, shouldn't they be campaigning in their districts advocating water process technologies? Is the mainstream media too uninformed and shouldn't the outdoor communications industry be more involved? Legislators brag about keeping boys out of girls' restrooms and sports - but that's an absolute no-brainer. How about raising the bar on accomplishments? Why is the TCEQ the only state agency, with a conservation program, that refuses to attend media conferences or give interviews? It's simple to see why Public Trust is suffering.