AUSTIN — For the seventh year in a row, Whole Earth Provision Co. will support Texas State Parks throughout the month of April during their “April is Texas State Parks Month” fund drive at all eight locations across the state. The Texas-based travel, adventure and nature store will give all funds gathered during the effort to help fund state parks’ day-to-day operational expenses, including enhanced visitor programs, park trail maps and facilities maintenance.

“We are blessed in Texas with an excellent state park system that provides an unrivaled range of outdoor adventures,” says Jack Jones, Whole Earth Provision Co.  founder and lifelong Texas state park advocate. “These magical places belong to the citizens of Texas and are available for all of us to visit and enjoy.”

Throughout April, customers at the eight Whole Earth Provision Co. locations in Austin, Dallas, Southlake, Houston and San Antonio will have the option to donate to Texas State Parks at check-out counters. For every $20 or more donated, Whole Earth will give customers a $5 state park gift card, redeemable for park entrance fees and merchandise at state park stores. If the customer donates $50 or more, they will receive a Whole Earth branded Nalgene bottle and a Texas State Parks gift card.

In addition, state park rangers will be handing out Texas State Park Guides at all eight locations from 2-4 p.m. on April 15. They will also offer information and answer questions about the various activities people can enjoy in state parks, including swimming, hiking, fishing, nature walks, caving, paddling, stargazing, and mountain biking.

“Texas State Parks will use the proceeds to help fund state parks’ day-to day operational expenses and those parks impacted by Hurricane Harvey,” said Texas State Parks director Brent Leisure. “As the state parks system continues to evolve and create new and exciting programs, the annual promotion with one of Texas’ premier outdoor retailers allows us the opportunity to continue to create park experiences that Texans expect and deserve.”

Most urbanites are closer to a state park than they might imagine. There are 12 state parks within an hour’s drive of Austin, nine within an hour’s drive of San Antonio, eight within a 60-minute drive of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, 11 within 90 minutes of Southlake and seven parks an hour or less drive from Houston. Mild weather and blooming wildflowers make spring the ideal time to visit any one of these parks.

In the last six years, Whole Earth Provision Company has donated more than $175,000 to Texas State Parks. These funds are a direct result of donations received during Texas State Parks Month, as well as from ticket sales from the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, which Whole Earth has sponsored for the past decade.

Texas State Parks provide an affordable and healthy way to spend time with family and friends. Children 12 and younger get in free. For more information about visiting Texas State Parks, visit: http://www.texasstateparks.org/.