For the Public

Texas Coastal Watershed Program

     The program, part of the national NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) network, provides education and outreach to local governments and citizens on the impacts of land use on watershed health and water quality. The program, which includes the Urban Wetland Restoration Program, WaterSmart Program the Chrysalis Project, butterfly and habitat gardens developed at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is led by John Jacob, Coastal Community Development Specialist.

Floating Classroom Program

     Hands-on exploration of the state’s coastal environment is the foundation of this program for school-age children. Discovery cruises take place aboard the research vessel Karma, a 57-foot converted shrimp boat, from its Corpus Christi homeport.

Texas Master Naturalist Program

     This cadre of volunteers are dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities through education, outreach and service programs. Operated jointly by Texas AgriLife Extension and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Sea Grant’s extension agents are actively involved in organizing TMN chapters and providing volunteer training.

Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program

     Discarded monofilament line can be hazardous to marine life. This volunteer-led program provides an avenue for the quick and easy collection of monofilament for recycling. The program is coordinated by John O’Connell, Extension Agent-Coastal and Marine Resources, Matagorda County.

K-YAK Low Power Radio

     A pilot project in the beach area of Calhoun County is broadcasting educational information about the region via Low Power Radio on 1610 AM. The “Your Area’s Knowledge” programs focus on local history, coastal ecology, boating safety, wildlife and other topics of interest for tourism and recreation.

Publications

     Texas Sea Grant publishes and distributes rip current awareness, hurricane preparedness and overall beach safety, and general interest publications and media releases. Many of these items are available online in the program’s Publications Catalog.

For Marine Industries

Clean Texas Marina Program

     This partnership between the marina industry and state natural resource agencies supports and recognizes marina operators whose business practices promote environmental responsibility. Statewide, 76 marinas are certified under the Clean Texas Marina Program, with another 44 pledged to go through the steps to become certified. The affiliated Clean Texas Boater Program focuses on individual boaters and has solicited pledges from about 3,500 of them that they will support clean water in Texas by following the program’s Clean Boating Tips. Both programs are coordinated by Dewayne Hollin, Marine Business Management Specialist.

Shrimp and Marine Finfish Culture Short Course

     This five-day aquaculture course is held in the fall in Port Aransas at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute with field trips to facilities in the area. Contact Granvil Treece, Aquaculture Specialist, for more information.

Other Publications and Online Resources:

After Hurricane Ike: Photographs from the Texas Coast
Texas Marina Facilities and Services Directory
Clean Texas Marina Program brochure (text version and pdf version)
Clean Texas Boater Program brochure (text version and pdf version)
Clean Boating Tips card (text version and pdf version)
Protecting Your Boat Against Severe Weather (text version and pdf version)
Pump-Out Guide for Boats (text version and pdf version)
Monofilament Recovery and Recycling brochure (text version and pdf version)