Jefferson Marshall, an English teacher at the Reese Education Center, published his first book back in 2020, after he attended a conference at the National Ranching Heritage Center. Marshall was inspired to write by his love for the outdoors and wanted to encourage readers to go outdoors and enjoy Texas State Parks. 

Marshall currently has three books published in his Texas State Park Adventures series. Each new book finds a group of five friends in a new park exploring the nature, activities, and history of the park. These characters have met the creatures of Caprock Canyons, competed in a race to reach the Palo Duro Lighthouse, and have been swimming by day and dancing by night at Garner State Park.  

Recently the Texas Country Reporter featured Marshall in a segment celebrating 100 Years of the Texas State Parks. Texas Country Reporter is the longest running independently produced TV show in American television history; it features stories of everyday Texans doing the extraordinary. 

When Texas Country Reporter realized there was a children's book series featuring a new state park in every book, they asked to interview Marshall about his series. He expressed to the Texas Country Reporter that he wants to inspire young readers to explore the amazing parks throughout Texas. Watch the whole feature HERE.  

In addition to his feature in the Texas Country Reporter, Marshall is the featured author for the National Ranching Heritage Center Ranch Day which was scheduled for April 20 but was canceled due to inclement weather. The Ranch Day has yet to be rescheduled, but updates can be found on their social media.

Each year the National Ranching Heritage Center the Ranch Day where visitors enjoy dozens of activities centered around ranching history, ranch skills, and ranch science. Families are encouraged to join in hands-on experiences such as living history demonstrations, ranch science activities, horseback riding, ranch horse skills demonstrations, leather stamping, rope making, cattle paint branding, cowboy music, and much more.  

The National Ranching Heritage Center asked Marshall to be the featured author for the event, sharing his book series and sharing with visitors about wild animal sounds. Marshall has a long-standing love for the NRHC since he was inspired to write after attending a conference at the National Ranching Heritage Center hosted by John R. Erickson (Hank the Cowdog) and S.J. Dahlstrom (Wilder Good). 

"I've enjoyed the National Ranching Heritage Center since I was a small boy,” said Jefferson. “I love exploring the historic building, enjoy visiting the Hank the Cowdog area, and think Ranch Day is a wonderful family event to learn about all things cowboy and western." 

Marshall encourages everyone to attend the NRHC Ranch Day and hopes to share his love for writing, reading, and the outdoors to inspire children to achieve their goals and pursue their passions.  

Marshall has presented at schools, state parks, museums, and festivals, and is available for school programs upon request.  

Check out Jefferson Marshall and his series Texas State Park Adventures HERE.