Texas State Aquarium Celebrates 35 Years of Connection, Conservation, and Growth
July 3, 2025
Corpus Christi, TX – The Texas State Aquarium will officially mark its 35th anniversary on Sunday, July 6, and recently celebrated this milestone with a special event held on Saturday, June 28. The celebration honored the visionaries, staff, community partners, members and supporters who have helped shape the Aquarium’s extraordinary journey.
As part of the festivities, the Aquarium recreated its iconic human sea star, first formed at its groundbreaking event in 1988, uniting over 300 members, stakeholders, and staff in a powerful symbol of unity and shared commitment to wildlife conservation. This year’s sea star was formed in a newly acquired parking lot, an area the Aquarium recently secured to expand parking capacity as it continues to grow its experiences and offerings, and in preparation for future needs when the old Harbor Bridge comes down this fall.
At the celebration, Aquarium president and CEO Jesse Gilbert thanked trustees, with special recognition for founding members, and reflected on the Aquarium’s progress over the years.
Since opening its doors on July 6, 1990, the Texas State Aquarium has taken visitors on a journey through the Gulf, showcasing nearshore Texas waters, offshore platforms that serve as vital fish habitats, and the Flower Gardens coral reef. In 2003, the Aquarium opened Dolphin Bay, a milestone that sparked growth and allowed guests to connect with marine mammals native to Texas waters.
The vision continued with the opening of the Caribbean Journey in 2017, immersing guests in the jungles of the Yucatán and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. In 2023, the Aquarium achieved another milestone with the opening of the Port of Corpus Christi Center for Wildlife Rescue, now a national leader in wildlife rescue and research.
Today, the Texas State Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Texas and was recently voted one of the top three aquariums in North America by USA TODAY’s @10Best Best. Each year, it welcomes over 500,000 guests who come to learn about the rich biodiversity of Texas and the Caribbean, and to support vital conservation initiatives.
The Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Program has become the largest coastal wildlife rescue initiative in the United States. It possesses the unique capability to care for more than 3,000 sea turtles simultaneously. This program has saved and rehabilitated thousands of endangered sea turtles and continues to serve as a vital resource during major wildlife disasters, including assisting other states during extreme events and harsh winters.
Innovative research initiatives, including the use of artificial intelligence to mitigate wildlife disasters, demonstrate the Aquarium’s leadership in wildlife resiliency. Through the Wildlife Disaster Training Academy, these groundbreaking techniques are shared with wildlife professionals across the country.
The Aquarium plans to expand its offerings with new experiences such as Ocean Odyssey, a wildlife rescue-themed indoor playground scheduled to open Spring of 2026.
“This milestone represents not only a recognition of our achievements, but also a forward-looking commitment,” stated Jesse Gilbert. “Our goal remains clear: to establish ourselves as the leading aquarium in Texas and among the best in the United States, inspiring individuals to support the resilience of Texas wildlife and its Gulf ecosystem.”
About Texas State Aquarium
The Texas State Aquarium (TSA), the Official Aquarium of the State of Texas, is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) institution that is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Its mission is to engage people with animals, inspire appreciation for our seas and support wildlife conservation. TSA, the largest Aquarium in Texas, cares for over 4,000 animals and has been named the #3 Best Aquarium in North America by USA Today. Learn more at texasstateaquarium.org.
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Texas State Aquarium Contact:
Jennifer Vela
Chief Government Affairs and Marketing Officer
361.653.2655
[email protected]
Media Assets: https://bit.ly/44uBPjn