AUSTIN — For the 12th year, Whole Earth Provision Co. will celebrate “April is Texas State Parks Month” by hosting a fund drive supporting Texas State Parks. The Texas-based travel, adventure and nature store will give all funds gathered at its six Texas store locations to help finance day-to-day operational expenses, including enhanced visitor programs, park trail maps and facilities maintenance.

“Congratulations to our Texas State Parks for 100 years of providing Texans with places of natural beauty and recreational opportunities to refresh our spirits and create treasured memories,” said Jack Jones, founder. “We hope the public will join us in supporting our state parks.”

Throughout the month, customers visiting locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio will have the option to donate to Texas State Parks at checkout. Whole Earth Provision Co. has donated more than $271,000 to Texas State Parks since 2012. The 2022 donation was used to print more than 1.2 million trail maps for 70 Texas State Parks.

For a $5 or more donation, customers receive a Texas State Park custom sticker pack. For a $20 donation, they receive a $5 Texas State Parks gift card, good for fees or purchases at any Texas State Park, and the sticker pack. For a $40 donation, customers will receive a Whole Earth, Sendero and Fort Lonesome collaboration custom bandana, the gift card and the sticker pack. Supplies for the bandana are limited, so don’t wait. Donations in any amount are welcome.

Additionally, state park rangers will be available in Whole Earth stores from 2–4 p.m. on Sunday, April 16, to answer questions about activities people can enjoy in state parks: swimming, hiking, fishing, nature walks, caving, paddling, stargazing, mountain biking and more.

“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing partnership and generous donations from Whole Earth Provision Co. and their customers,” said Rodney Franklin, Texas State Parks director. “Their support has been instrumental in our ongoing efforts to connect every Texan with their state parks. As we celebrate 100 years, we are especially thankful for long-standing partners like Whole Earth.”

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 and four parks an hour or less from Houston. Mild weather and blooming wildflowers make spring the ideal time to visit any one of these parks.

Find more information about visiting state parks on the Texas State Parks website.

Whole Earth is a family owned, homegrown Texas original with six stores in four cities: Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio as well as an online store. For over 50 years, Whole Earth has been outfitting adventurers, travelers, nature lovers, families, backyard loungers and active urbanites with high quality travel and casual clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, books, gifts, gadgets and gear for everyday living and adventures near and far, from Kerrville to Kilimanjaro.