Texas State Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue on the Road Program Embarks on Inaugural Trip… First Stop, Houston!
March 29, 2023
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The Texas State Aquarium (TSA) Wildlife Rescue on the Road program and rescue vehicle made its first stops outside of Corpus Christi on Tuesday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 22. With Reliant’s support, the Aquarium took its brand-new educational program on the road and traveled to Houston, Texas. The rescue vehicle went on a 250-mile journey to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston, Tejano Center - North East STEM Academy, and YMCA of Greater Houston.
Hundreds of K-8 students participated in hands-on activities and learned the importance of wildlife conservation and minimizing human impact on coastal environments. Aquarium staff taught students about wildlife emergencies, and how the Aquarium’s Wildlife Rescue Program rescues, rehabilitates, and releases injured animals. The goal of this immersive, STEM-based program is to instill the importance of advocating for the environment and understanding the significance of caring for wildlife.
“Our kids are getting the opportunity, for the first time ever, to witness firsthand how to make a positive impact on wildlife,” said Dr. Adriana Tamez, Tejano Center President and CEO. “We want to thank Reliant for bringing the Aquarium to the Tejano Center and giving our kids this experience.”
The rescue vehicle’s primary purpose is to respond to wildlife emergencies and transport injured, ill, or stranded marine animals. Since the program’s launch, the vehicle has been used twice to transport loggerhead turtles that were released in Corpus Christi.
When not being used for its primary purpose, the vehicle serves as the main attraction of the Aquarium’s new educational program, Wildlife Rescue on the Road. The program’s goal is to visit schools and nonprofits, such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs in underserved communities across Texas. These initiatives are made possible by a $25,000 donation from Reliant.
The Wildlife Rescue on the Road will continue to expand its reach in upcoming months.
“We are grateful to Reliant for helping us launch this traveling program, giving us the ability to spread marine wildlife education in Corpus Christi and around the state,” said Jesse Gilbert, Texas State Aquarium President, and Chief Executive Officer. “Many children living in our state have never visited the Texas coast, so we are excited to bring this creative initiative to them and maybe even inspire their future career.”
To learn more about this initiative, visit https://www.texasstateaquarium.org/educate/wildliferescueontheroad/