Engaging and Educating Our Community
The Texas Surf Conservancy strives to engage and educate Texans on coastal issues through community events, classroom instruction, workshops, advocacy, networking and promotional opportunities.
We promote oyster mariculture.
We support Texas’ oyster farmers.
We restore marine habitats.
Please join us as we work to rebuild the oyster industry in Texas with involvement of experts and investment in sustainable seafood practices. We envision a united Texas where marine ecosystems and oyster mariculture thrive together in coastal communities, supported by science, industry, and innovators working together.
Texas Oyster Round Up: An Annual Celebration of Farmed Texas Oysters
The Texas Surf Conservancy hosts an annual event in Corpus Christi that celebrates and showcases farmed Texas oysters.
The 2026 Texas Oyster Round Up will be held at WaterStreet Restaurants in Corpus Christi on February 28, 2026 from 12:00-6:00 p.m. Speakers will include Dr. Bill Walton from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Dr. Lindsay Glass Campbell from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
This family friendly event features a FREE farmed oyster tasting room at the WaterStreet Oyster Bar, panel discussions and live music at the Executive Surf Club, and fun children’s activities throughout the event footprint taking over a whole downtown block in Corpus Christi. To join as a sponsor, click here.
“Science of Oysters: An Educational Outreach Initiative”
The Texas Surf Conservancy’s “Science of Oysters” educational outreach initiative is designed to deliver engaging, hands-on, science-based learning experiences that emphasize the ecological importance of oyster reefs and the benefits of sustainable marine practices. The program was initially funded by a generous grant from CCA Texas, which allows us to offer the program at no charge for participating elementary schools throughout the Coastal Bend for the 2025-2026 school year.
We have recently launched this fun and engaging program with two foundational, age-specific modules: “Oyster Adventures” for students in Grades K–2 and “Oyster Explorers” for students in Grades 3–5. These 30- to 60-minute classroom lessons introduce marine science concepts in a fun and accessible way, encouraging early interest in environmental topics. We expect to be able to offer an online version of the elementary modules in the next few months and are currently seeking funding partners to expand our program to reach middle and high school students in the coming year.
By bringing this education into the classroom and beyond, the Texas Surf Conservancy is meeting students where they are and making marine science relevant, personal, and actionable. We are creating connections between academic subjects and real-world environmental issues that directly impact the communities in which students live.
Oysters 101: An Introduction to Texas Oysters
The Texas Surf Conservancy recently created an introductory workshop on Texas oysters that we are able to offer small to medium groups of adult learners. With advance planning and an additional charge, we are also able to offer this workshop with a brief shucking lesson and oyster tasting session featuring farmed Texas oysters for your participants.
If your Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Sorority, Church Group, or other group would like to host a member of our team for an Oysters 101 presentation, please send an email with your request and contact information to oysters101@texassurfconservancy.org.
Texas Commercial Oyster Mariculture Presentation
On certain occasions, a Board Member or a member of our executive team may be able to share our presentation on Texas Commercial Oyster Mariculture to your medium to large group of adult learners. This presentation focuses on the development of the burgeoning oyster farming industry in Texas—where we started, what we’ve accomplished, and what we need now to succeed. This presentation features highlights on permitted oyster farms in Texas as well as relevant information on coastal policy and legislation affecting the industry. To invite the Texas Surf Conservancy to share this presentation, please send an email with your request and contact information to outreach@texassurfconservancy.org.
