HEB's Our Texas Our Future Awards Grant for Touch Tanks at SPI Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary

by Sarah-Victoria Lozano de Gonzalez

South Padre Island, Texas: The South Padre Island Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary (SPIBNCAS) is thrilled to announce a generous grant of $10,000 from HEB Our Texas Our Future. This grant is a significant step toward enhancing visitor experiences by supporting the creation of South Texas Marine Life Exhibits, featuring state-of-the-art touch tanks. Anticipated to be fully interactive by 2024, these touch tanks will showcase South Padre Island's marine life and provide a dynamic educational platform.

SPIBNCAS Naturalist, Javier Gonzales, emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, stating, "We care about and conserve what we experience." To complement this philosophy, an educational curriculum will be integrated into the touch tank exhibits, addressing topics such as the impact of plastics and pollution on marine environments.

The South Padre Island Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary (SPIBNCAS) Naturalist Javier Gonzales.

The SPI Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary currently serves over 80,000 visitors annually, including approximately 1,500 school students on field trips each academic year and summer. This grant will expand the reach to more students, facilitating partnerships with schools to foster informed citizenship and research initiatives.

Founded by South Padre Island's Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the SPI Birding Nature Center and Alligator Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the region's birds, flora, fauna, and natural environment, with a strong emphasis on conservation and environmental awareness.

Cristin Howard-Enholm, Executive Director, expresses gratitude to HEB for their continued partnership, especially this year. The grant plays a vital role in launching the new South Padre Island Marine Life Exhibit with Touch Tanks. Howard-Enholm looks forward to deepening partnerships with local schools through this exciting addition.

"We look forward to enriching our partnerships with local schools through this new exhibit,” said Cristin Howard-Enholm, Executive Director.

HEB's commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through their Our Texas Our Future campaign. This year, the campaign is renewed, reflecting HEB's dedication to preserving Texas' natural resources for future generations.

For more information, please visit ourtexasourfuture.com.

Fall Native Habitat Volunteer Planting Day at the SPIBNCAS

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