Harte Research Institute

05/29/2026

This week's Beachcombing surveys were productive! One of the key things you'll see this week is a series of photos about the Lightning Whelk egg casings that have been washing up. We have some closeup shots of these interesting eggs that many people mistake for skinned snakes. 🤣 Let us know if you have any favorite photos from this week. Have a wonderful weekend!
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

05/28/2026

The United States’ rarest heron, the Reddish Egret, is also its most interesting heron. The population of Reddish Egrets in the US stands at fewer than 5,000 individuals and unlike any other heron in Texas, it comes in two “forms” – a dark form and a light form.

Although their appearance is starkly different, they both have identical and fascinating foraging and nesting strategies.

Prancing about in shallow water and flicking their wings over their head, they scare prey from hiding places out into striking range. Upon catching a fish, they bring it back to a nest hidden away in a prickly pear palace, with sharp spines to protect chicks and eggs from predators. These unique behaviors make the Reddish Egret seem like a Pokémon!

However, because of its rarity, the Reddish Egret is listed as threatened in Texas. Despite its armored nest site, it still requires isolated coastal colony islands to minimize risk to predators.

The Conservation & Biodiversity Program at HRI has multiple studies investigating Reddish Egret movements and breeding populations.

Learn more at the link in bio!
://www.harteresearch.org/research/conservation-biodiversity

05/27/2026

Take a look at this post from Bringing Baffin Back!

What happens to rain once it hits the ground? 🌧 This video explores how soil cover and vegetation affect runoff, infiltration, and water movement across South Texas landscapes and why healthy ground cover matters for cleaner waterways.

Ever wonder what actually happens to water when it rains? And why s...

05/27/2026

Don't miss this from the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation!🌊🌊🌊

Great signs beneath the surface. Multiple size classes of Red Snapper and Gray Triggerfish show these artificial reefs are creating valuable long-term habitat.

Click on the post below to learn more.

05/27/2026

Check out this post from the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation !🎣

It's Federal Red Snapper Season! Be sure to stay safe from this inclement weather and take caution for those who will be headed out!

Click on the post below to read more.

05/26/2026

Check out this post from the Sink Your Shucks Oyster Recycling Program!

Recap from this year's community oyster restoration event at Goose Island State Park.

05/25/2026

Join Lucy Flores, Project Manager for Texas Beach Watch (TBW), and Jace Tunnell from the Harte Research Institute as they break down the Texas Beach Watch signs posted along the Texas coast.

In this short video, they explain:
What TBW signs are and why they matter
What does it mean when the signs are open/closed
Where the signs are located
How beachgoers can use TBW information to make more informed decisions before entering the water this beach season
Texas Beach Watch monitors coastal water quality to help protect public health and support clean, enjoyable beaches for everyone.

05/23/2026

Join HRI's next seminar series event on May 29th at 3 pm in room 127 at the Harte Research Institute.⁠🌊
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Join us for an engaging talk on " Environmental Water for the Texas Coast: Is a little bit better than nada?"⁠
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Featuring Kevin De Santiago, the Coastal Program Manager at Texas Water Trade will explore how drought, rising temperatures, and increasing water demand are putting pressure on Texas Water resources and why the coast is often last in line for freshwater.⁠
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He will also discuss how environmental water markets are being used as innovative tool to help safeguard freshwater inflows that support estuarine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal habitats.⁠
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Whether you're interested in coastal science, water policy, or environmental solutions, this seminar offers a look at how Texas is adapting to growing water challenges.⁠
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Attending in person? Stay after for a social hosted by the TAMU-CC Marine Science Graduate Student Organization with refreshments and conversation. ⁠
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Can't make it in person? No worries join us online through the event link!⁠
https://tamucc.zoom.us/j/94318973438?pwd=79aUjv8bJDnjsHJV0Cs1Rb7Uu7cMoP.1

05/22/2026

Join us for the next lunch & learn! 🌊⁠🌊🌊⁠
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Hosted by the Clean Coast Texas Program, this virtual event features our next speaker: Christopher Sims, PE, the Executive Director of Development Services for the City of League City, Texas, the largest municipality in Galveston County⁠
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Session topic: More than a pond: How League City writes Stormwater into its development.⁠
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This session will trace League City's three- part journey in smarter stormwater management: from a 3.75-acre green infrastructure teaching park built with Clean Water Act 319(h) funding, to a post- Hurricane Harvey ordinance and most recently, creating development policies that reward environmentally beneficial detention design.⁠
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You'll also hear the unforgettable story of a century- old live oak tree relocated overnight by four cranes. A powerful example of the values guiding the city's approach to growth and conservation.⁠
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Click the link below to register for this event:⁠ https://txstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/Psnnut3CSrScG61wQblXeA #/registration

05/22/2026

We finally got rain, and lots of it! High tides were up to the sand dunes but we still managed to make it out to the beach. This week we had our Beachcombing trip winner from January's contest, Melissa, go looking for treasures with us. We also made a trip up the Victoria Barge Canal for another project Jace manages called Nurdle Patrol, where he picked up 5 gallons of plastic pellets (nurdles) in just 10 minutes! Looks at the photos for more info, and let us know if you have any favorites for this week. Have a wonderful weekend!
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi University Services

05/21/2026

The Community Resilience Group and the Coastal Marine Geospatial Lab at the Harte Research Institute, in coordination with the Texas Louisiana Carbon Management Community, are hosting a virtual information session on June 11 from 6–8 p.m. to discuss how carbon capture could impact the Coastal Bend. ⁠⁠

Join us to learn more!

Registration is required for this session.⁠
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Click the link below to register:⁠
https://tamucc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SR-cgrROSKi0ZmefIEDhRg?fm=wc&_x_zm_rtaid=iSIr7O_LTM6vDscW #/registration