HRI Scientists to Play Key Role in Texas Waterbird Society Meeting and Inaugural Colony Island Restoration Summit

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Researchers from the Harte Research Institute (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) will play a key role in the Fall 2025 Texas Waterbird Society Meeting and Inaugural Texas Colony Island Restoration Summit, taking place November 13-14 at the Doris Williams Lake Jackson Civic Center in Lake Jackson, Texas.

The two-day event will bring together leading scientists, resource managers, and conservation partners to accelerate the understanding and restoration of Texas’ vital coastal bird habitats. Experts from HRI’s Conservation and Biodiversity Lab will join representatives from the Texas General Land Office, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Texas, and others, to share insights and discuss ongoing research and management strategies.

Attendees will review the annual waterbird survey results, present new research, and collaborate on projects aimed at restoring and protecting Texas’ colony islands which are critical nesting areas for waterbirds along the coast. The summit will also highlight findings from the Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI) project, a key initiative driving coordinated restoration efforts statewide.

The Texas Waterbird Society works to advance the conservation of colonial waterbirds by coordinating standardized surveys to track population trends and habitat use across the state. The organization promotes research, information sharing, and habitat management to support the long-term health and sustainability of Texas’ coastal and inland bird colonies.

This two-day event, made possible with support from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Gulf Trust, offers a unique opportunity to collaborate and shape the future of Texas waterbirds.

“Events such as this highlight the power of collaboration,” said Dr. Dale Gawlik, HRI’s James A. “Buddy” Davidson Endowed Chair for Conservation and Biodiversity and board member of the Texas Waterbird Society. “By sharing research and restoration strategies, we can better protect the birds and habitats that define Texas’ coast and ensure their resilience in a changing environment.”

Scheduled to speak from HRI are Endowed Chair for Marine Law and Policy Kristina Alexander, Assistant Research Scientist Dr. David Essian, and Graduate Research Assistants Marissa Lamb and Rostam Mirzadi.

For more information on the Fall 2025 Texas Waterbird Society Meeting go to texaswaterbirds.org/current-meeting.