Please share and sign the petition if you love the Oso!

Did you know Oso Bay Wetlands and Learning Center is on the City of Corpus Christi's agenda to shut down due to budget cuts? The plan is to close the learning center completely! 

Want to do more?

Please copy the email template below and fill in your name! (There is a copy-and-paste list of individuals at the bottom if you would rather send a group email)  
Note: If you could go to the meetings and have your public comment on record we just may be able to save Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center!

 ◦    Below are the date and times of meetings for public comments

Mon. August 5 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 1: Brewster Street - Downtown 

Wed. August 7 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 2: The Terrace Restaurant Bar 

Thurs. August 8 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 3: Muelle 37 

Wed. August 14 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 5: Del Mar Oso Campus

Thurs. August 15 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 4: Funtrackers

Mon. August 19 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 4: Island: Doc's Seafood & Steaks

Wed. August 21 - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m 
District 1: Calallen: Railroad Seafood & Brewery

    ◦    Contact local news stations and media to do a segment on Save            Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center! 

    ◦    Copy the letter below and email it! 

Dear Mayor, City Council, and City Leaders, 

August 1, 2024

Subject: Save Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve and Learning Center

My name is (your name) 

Have you visited the Oso Bay Wetlands Learning Preserve and Learning Center located at 2446 N. Oso Parkway? Please visit soon!  

Please do not make the choice to close this unique museum and educational center without careful consideration of what we are losing! 

    ⁃    OBWPLC is a major “birding hot spot for South Texas” Thousands of Visitors come from all over the world yearly, bringing in massive tourism revenue! Without daily management of the coastal wetlands and invasive species concerns tourism dollars and wetland degradation will impact species of plants and wildlife! 
    ⁃    The center has interactive, hands-on environmental education for the citizens of Corpus Christi! (No other park does)
    ⁃    Oso is one of the most visited “Parks in Corpus Christi, yet it is the only one that is also a Preserve with environmental education opportunities and a visitors center”! 
    ⁃    The center houses many “Animal ambassadors that visitors can interact with and hold”! Many of these animals are state-permitted protected species and will have to be relocated to a permitted facility willing to take them, but they may never return to Oso. Many of these animals have been at OBWPLC since 2014! This is their home! 
    ⁃    Many Volunteers have spent thousands of hours working to provide outreach, education, and preserve management activities at this site! 
    ⁃    OBWPLC  mission is to enhance community understanding of the need to preserve the natural resources of coastal ecosystems for future generations through access and education. 
    ⁃    Local industry and non-profits have invested dollars in the facility and the program. Many partners support the program and their mission.
    ⁃    Programming has been recognized both nationally and statewide by NRPA and TRAPs
    ⁃    Program interns have gone on to careers at TCEQ and have been selected for one of 4 fellowship positions in environmental education with UGA! Career training for the future! 
    ⁃    It is one of the few programs that serve a wide spectrum of audiences from pre-k classes, scouts, high school volunteers, and homeschoolers while nurturing the lifelong learning of adults/children through many classes and events. Many are free and open to the public. 
    ⁃      Research Support: The learning center supports scientific research by providing a base for researchers to study wetland dynamics, wildlife, and environmental changes. This research is essential for developing effective conservation strategies and understanding the impacts of human activities on natural ecosystems.
    ⁃    OBWPLC is in a protected estuary which with management reduces flooding to adjacent lands within the watershed. With the loss of wetlands and lack of active management erosion, overgrowth of invasive species, and a loss of a healthy home for birds other wildlife will occur! Mitigation through management is required! A year without managing this amazing resource is not acceptable! The damage will take years to recover! 
    ⁃    Management of the Preserve and Education Department is required to ensure success for future generations! 
    ⁃    The city received a $13 million grant from TXDOT for a hike and bike fishing pier connecting the area to Flour Bluff to OBWPLC and will bring in thousands of additional visitors monthly.  

Overall, the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve plays a vital role in preserving the natural heritage of the Corpus Christi area, supporting biodiversity, and providing valuable educational and recreational resources for the community.

I would implore you to keep Oso Bay Wetlands and Learning Center open! Please do not close the only unique conservation and sustainability educational site in Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation! 

Thank you, 
(Your name) 

Contacts: (email, mail, and call!) 

Paulette M. Guajardo, Mayor
paulette.guajardo@cctexas.com
361-826-3100
1201 Leopard Street 

Robert Dodd, Department of Parks and Recreation 
robertd4@cctexas.com
1201 Leopard St. 78401

Peter Zanoni, City Manager of Corpus Christi 
peterz@cctexas.com
361-826-3220
1201 Leopard St. 78401

Heather Hurlbert. Assistant City Manager (Parks and Recreation) 
heatherh3@cctexas.com
361-826-3506
1201 Leopard St. 78401

Michael T. Hunter
Michael.Hunter@cctexas.com
361-826-3415
1201 Leopard St. 78401

Jim Klein
Jim.Klein@cctexas.com
361-825-3145 office
361-445-7304 cell

Mike Pusley
Mike.Pusley@cctexas.com
361-826-3107

Everett Roy
Everett.Roy@cctexas.com
361-826-3107 office
361-677-1335 cell

Sylvia Campos
Sylvia.Campos@cctexas.com
361-826-3145 office
361-687-7259 cell

Roland Barrera
Roland.Barrera@cctexas.com
361-400-2484

Dan Suckley
Dan.Suckley@cctexas.com
361-826-3107
361-960-4077 cell

Gil Hernandez
Gil.Hernandez@cctexas.com
361-826-3107
361-779-1179 cell

 

All the emails: copy and paste for group message! 

paulette.guajardo@cctexas.com, robertd4@cctexas.com, peterz@cctexas.com, heatherh3@cctexas.com, Michael.Hunter@cctexas.com, Jim.Klein@cctexas.com, Mike.Pusley@cctexas.com, Everett.Roy@cctexas.com, Sylvia.Campos@cctexas.
com, Roland.Barrera@cctexas.com, Dan.Suckley@cctexas.com, Gil.Hernandez@cctexas.com