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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Mission-Aransas Reserve

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Mission-Aransas Reserve

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The Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve is a federal and state partnership that conducts research, education, and stewardship programs.

The Mission-Aransas Reserve is administered by the University of Texas, but works in partnership with the following organizations to ensure that the goals of the Reserve are met: Texas General Land Office, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Bend Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Fennessey Ranch, Texas Department of Transportation, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuary Program, and a representative from the local community.

10/15/2026

A successful day in the field at Egery Flats! 🛶🌿

Yesterday, the crew loaded up the kayaks and all our gear to complete SET measurements and vegetation monitoring across the flats.

Plenty of paddling, plenty of equipment, and a productive day collecting data in the marsh!

10/13/2026

A great day at Fennessey Ranch! 🌿🐄

As part of this year’s TAEE Annual Conference in Rockport, attendees joined us for a hayride tour of Fennessey Ranch to explore the property, take in the scenery, and learn more about the wildlife and habitats found there.

Thanks to everyone who came along for the ride! 🚜🌾

10/10/2026

Another successful cleanup! 🌊💪🏼

This time, the crew headed out to Shellbank Island in Aransas Bay — and the boat filled up pretty quickly with all the large debris collected!

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday. 🤩 How are you spending yours?!

10/07/2026

What a great turnout for Island Science Day this past weekend! 🌊🔬

We had such a fun day welcoming visitors to UTMSI to explore marine science, meet our scientists and staff, and learn more about the work happening along the Texas coast.

Even better, the weather held out for us! ☀️ Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make the day such a success!

10/05/2026

It’s officially Halloween Season! 🎃👻

Join us at the Patton Center for a Spooky Skeleton Photo Opportunity on Saturday, October 31 from 11 AM–12 PM.

This event is free and open to all ages, so bring the family and come snap a spooky photo with us! 💀📸

📍 Patton Center
855 E. Cotter Ave., Port Aransas

10/01/2026

Mark your calendars for November 18!🌿🐟

Spend the afternoon learning how to identify, manage, and treat invasive plants at our free Invasive Species Workshop - PLUS, free native plant giveaways!

Invasives Workshop registration: https://forms.gle/spuA1Y7vCPCr8wPv8

Then stick around for the evening event, Eat the Invasives, at Fins Grill & Ice House!

Eat the Invasives registration: https://forms.gle/wCyVgV3ohY6g17qZ8

Both events are free, but registration is required. Check out the flyers for times, locations, and registration details.

09/30/2026

It’s almost here!! We invite you to join our milestone celebration as we reflect on 85 years of marine science at UTMSI and 20 years of coastal stewardship through the Mission-Aransas NERR! 🌊🔬

📅 Saturday, October 3
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 UTMSI Patton Center

Explore interactive exhibits, meet scientists and students, tour research facilities, and enjoy hands-on demonstrations and boat excursions while learning more about the incredible marine science happening right here on the Texas coast.

Come celebrate, explore, and discover with us! 🐚🧪🚤

Event Schedule: https://utmsi.utexas.edu/event/island-science-day-port-aransas/

09/25/2026

Fieldwork Highlight – a busy day for SWMP!

The SWMP team hit the water with UTMSI’s first artist-in-residence, Ebony Noelle Golden, a performance artist and scholar interested in exploring the relationship between marine life, mythology and water systems that might bring humans into more balance with the natural world. Stay tuned to hear how Ebony draws inspiration from her SWMP field experience for an ongoing multi-media performance installation titled “black/water”!

Our 2026-2027 Graduate Research Assistant, Aneena Raju, retrieved the first of many deployments of a pCO2 sensor that tracks the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the water. As more carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water, the bays become more acidic, making it difficult for shelled animals to build their shells. These data will eventually be used to monitor the impact of changing precipitation patterns on the health of oyster reefs.

How will YOU for National ??

09/24/2026

Mission-Aransas NERR and UTMSI folks celebrating with a Shoreline Cleanup at Hog Island and Harbor Island! 🚮 🌎 😃

Bullet casings: 159
Aluminum cans: 121
Plastic bottles: 98

How will YOU for National Estuaries Week??

09/21/2026

A little behind-the-scenes action today! 👀 🌊

Stay tuned!!

Address

750 Channel View Drive
Port Aransas, TX
78373

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13617496711

Website

http://www.missionaransas.org/

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