Magazine 2013

Summer 2013

NEW!OceanGames!

Greetings members and friends,

It’s been a busy first half of the year for us, highlightedby a record breaking spring break. Over 40,000 people

experienced the Aquarium during that mid-March nine-day period, breaking our previous record set in2012. Thanks to all of you who joined us as we premiered our new Ocean Games dolphin presentation.

As you have come to expect from your Aquarium,each year we develop new programming to engageour guests, improve the aquarium experience, andexpand our educational and interpretive opportunities.Some years, this may mean a new temporary orchanging exhibit such as AMAZON. Other years, itcould be the introduction of a major gallery renovation,a new exhibit program, or a major building expansion.This year, we chose to invest in reinventing two of our most popular programs, our Dolphin Show atDolphin Bay and the Wild Flight Show in the HawnWild Flight Theater.

With Ocean Games up and running, our focusshifted to Wild Flight, where we created an entirelynew stage, set, and program. The new Wild FlightShow opened on Memorial Day weekend to positivereviews. If you have not already, be sure to come outand enjoy both new shows.

Outside of the Aquarium grounds, our educationteam has been busy working with our local MoodyHigh School and King High School teams to continuethe implementation of the South Texas OysterRestoration and Awareness (STORA) project. Throughour Coastal American partnership, the group traveledto Washington, DC to once again participate in theStudent Ocean Summit. This signature programengages students at a very meaningful level in realcoastal and wetland issues, providing for them aunique opportunity to present the results of their work,interact with various federal agency experts, congres-sional representatives, other students from around thecountry, and even with noted cartoonist Jim Toomey of“Sherman’s Lagoon” fame. You can read more aboutthe Student Ocean Summit in this issue of the STAR.

Inside and outside of the Aquarium, we are inspiringaudiences to learn more, and care more, about theGulf of Mexico. Enjoy your summer, and thanks forhelping us do what we love.

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TSA PRESIDENTAND CEO

. . . with Tom Schmid

Over the past two years, the Texas StateAquarium has teamed up with Texas A&M

University-Corpus Christi/Harte Research Institute(TAMUCC/HRI) and students at Moody and King HighSchools to successfully build a new oyster habitat.

The STORA (South Texas Oyster Restoration andAwareness) program is a student-led service learningproject supporting the TAMUCC/HRI oyster shell recycling and habitat restoration program, Sink YourShucks. The Texas State Aquarium received a grant from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board to help facilitate the students’ involvement inTAMUCC/HRI’s long-term effort.

Oysters were selected as the focus for STORAbecause they provide a high-quality habitat for numerousfishes, shrimps and crabs, and also filter and clean bay waters by removing plankton, sediments, heavymetals, bacteria and other “wastes.” A single oystercan filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. Oyster reefsalso protect shorelines from erosion.

For more information, visit the Sink Your Shuckswebsite at: www.oysterrecycling.org.

a t t h e s u r f a c e . . . a t t h e s u r f a c e . . .

Moody and King HighSchool StudentsParticipate in OysterRestoration Events atGoose Island

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d e v e l o p m e n t n e w s

On November 14, 2012, the Aquarium celebratedits most generous supporters at our second

annual donor recognition event, AQUA. The AQUASociety was established in 2011 to recognize thoseindividuals and businesses with cumulative gifts to theAquarium of $25,000 or more.

This year, the society welcomed several newinductees and honored many returning and advancingsupporters. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening withan array of fine cuisine and beverages prepared byTSA’s own Chef Rau with Water’s Edge Catering. As aspecial treat, guests enjoyed a sneak peak of ournewest dolphin show, Ocean Games – an educationaland entertaining "Olympic-themed" competitionbetween Shadow and Kai, our two Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins.

The evening concluded with the presentation of TSA’s highest honor, the Golden Star Award, a distinctionreserved for our most passionate andvisionary supporters. Recipients for2012 were long-time supporters GloriaHicks and Rich Tuttle. TSA is appreciativeof both their generosity and dedicationto furthering the development of theTexas State Aquarium.

Aquarium Hosts Second Annual AQUA Event

The Texas State Aquarium hosted three Dollar Days thanks to thesupport of our generous partners who made it possible for us to

offer reduced admission prices. On Sunday, November 11, the TexasState Aquarium, along with the Coastal Bend Community Foundation,presented our very first November Dollar Day, and almost 6,000 visitorshelped to collect food for the Food Bank of Corpus Christi. Our second Dollar Day, and last for 2012, was presented by Reliant, anNRG Company, on Sunday, December 2, when over 4,000 visitorshelped spread holiday cheer throughout theAquarium. On Monday, January 21, Navy ArmyCommunity Credit Union presented the first DollarDay of 2013, which brought in a crowd of almost8,000 visitors to the Aquarium!

Thank you to the Coastal Bend CommunityFoundation, Reliant, and Navy Army CommunityCredit Union for your support of the Texas StateAquarium and our community!

Dollar Days Are a Big Hit!

Tom Schmid (right) with GoldenStar Award recipient Rich Tuttle.

New Aqua Society members, left to right, Tom Schmid; CharlotteCastaneda–Orion Drilling Co., LLC; Lucy & Dick McCracken; JudyHawley–Port of Corpus Christi; Lee Jordan; and Kim Schmid.

(right) Board Chair DeneeceSquires and TSA President &CEO Tom Schmid during thedonor recognition ceremony.

(left) Tom Schmid withGolden Star Awardrecipient Gloria Hicks.

d e v e l o p m e n t n e w s

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April 12, 2013 marked the Texas State Aquarium’s ninthsuccessful Beach Ball gala, presented by our returning

sponsor, Andrews Distributing Company, Ltd. Beach Ball isone of the most dynamic events in Corpus Christi and animportant component of the Aquarium’s fundraising efforts.Net proceeds from Beach Ball 2013 will support a major renovation of the Aquarium’s Nearshore Gallery. The eventwas chaired by Mark Gottlich, and this year the Aquariumbrought Broadway to the Beach!

Food for the event was provided by the Aquarium’s veryown Water’s Edge Catering. Guests dined to the melodies ofthe Lichtenstein Student Quartet from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Franc D’Ambrosio was the headlining entertainer at BeachBall 2013, where he amazed guests with his vibrant voice.Franc is best known for his impressive portrayal of the‘Phantom’ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winningmusical, “The Phantom of The Opera,” and was awarded thedistinction as the “World’s Longest Running Phantom.”

Beach Ball 2013 featured silent, live and bid board auctions that without a doubt made this year’s event a hugesuccess, raising approximately $290,000 (gross) for theNearshore Gallery renovation. Thanks to all of our Beach Ballsponsors, donors and attendees for another wonderful event!

Broadway at the Beach a Hit!

Zeppo the macaw welcomes guests to the tent.

Franc D’Ambrosio

Left to right, Steve Arnold, Jeni Arnold, Flavius Killebrew,and Kathy Killebrew.

Left to right, Darren James, Barbara RussellSafir, Paige Brandt, and Grier Gottlich.

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The construction of the Hawn Wild Flight Theaterin 2007 made an exciting and dramatic addition

to the landscape, as well as programming, of theTexas State Aquarium. While the Aquarium has alwaysmade a mission of protecting – and therefore representing – the animals of the Gulf of Mexico, theaddition of the Hawn Wild Flight Theater brought inspecies new to not only the Aquarium, but the GulfCoast, as well. With brilliantly colored macaws, anAfrican serval, and the raccoon-like coati, it is no wonder the Wild Flight Show has been a success fromthe get-go.

Thousands of families have enjoyed the Wild FlightShow over the years, but we wanted to give ourguests something even more special – the same interactive, free-flight show experience, but with evenmore animals and a complete redesign of the set andscript. With such a drastic restructuring of the show,we brought in the professionals: a New York-basedfirm that specializes in show production and set creation. With a new script written by our own WildFlight staff, the production firm came in and gave theHawn Wild Flight Theater a facelift to go along with thenew theme.

The new Wild Flight Show centers around a novicetrainer’s first day on the job and follows along as theinexperienced trainer makes the mistake of pushingthe not-to-be-pushed “red button.” The consequencesare comical, entertaining, and surprisingly educational.

As punishment for failing the first simple task ofguarding the button, the newbie trainer must endurethe lessons from other trainers; namely, “The EightRules of Training.” While these “Eight Rules” are seemingly tricks to confuse the new trainer, the scenarios actually turn into informative training principles from which the new trainer must learn.

The new Wild Flight Show’s grand opening wasMemorial Day weekend. You can catch the excitingnew show twice daily. Check the Aquarium website(www.texasstateaquarium.org) for daily schedules.

The opening of the new Wild Flight Show followedthe Spring Break opening of the Aquarium’s all-newfor 2013 dolphin show, Ocean Games. Ocean Gamesis an Olympic-style competition during which our twoAtlantic bottlenose dolphins, Shadow and Kai, showoff their stunning athletic prowess through a series ofexciting events.

The fast-paced Oceans Games has been rivetingAquarium visitors since its March debut, all the whileeducating guests about both dolphins and the importance of conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.

Ocean Games will be available three times dailythroughout the summer. Check the Aquarium website(www.texasstateaquarium.org) for daily schedules.

2013 Treats Guests with All-New Dolphin and Wild Flight Shows & Redesigned Hawn Wild Flight Theater Set

T S A e v e n t c a l e n d a r

Day Programs Join us for fun, learnabout animals and habitats,create a craft and enjoy asnack. Programs limitedto 10 children (ages 2-4must be accompanied byan adult). Reservations arerequired. Call (361) 653-2620 for more informationand to register.

Small Fry(ages 2-4)

Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.Place: Family LearningCenter (FLC)Fee: Member Child, $10Non-member Child, $15Non-member Adult, TSAentry fee

Due to SeaCamp, theSmall Fry program be onhiatus and will resume inSeptember 2013.

September 14Awesome OttersJoin us as we explorewhat makes an otter special. Learn about whatthey eat and where theylive, make a craft, and visitthe otters at their excitingexhibit.

SeaSchoolers(ages 5-7)

Time: 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.Place: Family LearningCenter (FLC)Fee: Member Child, $10Non-member Child, $15Non-member Adult, TSAentry fee

Due to SeaCamp, theSeaSchooler program beon hiatus and will resumein September 2013.

August 13Chef Mark’s

Chef Mark Carpenter

September 10PF Chang’s

Chef Nick Jimenez

October 8Shockley’s Market

Chef Doan Shockley

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VolunteerInformationSessionsDo you love animals?Would you like to help theenvironment? Come jointhe great volunteers thathelp care for our animals,maintain the exhibits, andinteract with and entertainour guests. Learn aboutthe various opportunitiesduring one of our orienta-tion sessions. After a general overview, you willmeet with an area supervi-sor and receive a shorttour of their area. Call(361) 881-1256 to reservea spot for orientation.

July 13

August 10

September 7

October 5

Time: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Reminder! Due to limited space,

reservations arerequired for all

classes. Please callwell in advance.

H-E-B Splash Park Open Daily

Adopt-A-BeachFall Clean UpSeptember 28

Get your gloves, hat andsunscreen ready for theAdopt-a-Beach Fall clean-up! The Texas StateAquarium invites everyoneto come out and cleanNorth Beach.

Registration will begin at8:30 a.m., and we willclean the beach from 9:00a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We willprovide trash bags andgloves.

After the clean-up, enjoypizza and giveaways provided by Texas StateAquarium and the TexasGeneral Land Office as atoken of appreciation forhelping keep our beachesclear of debris.

For more information,please call (361) 881-1259or email [email protected].

ImportantDatesJune 8World Ocean’s Day

July 4Annual Members 4th of JulyParty

August 4-9Shark Week

September 2Labor DayHours of operationchange to 9:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.

September 28Adopt-a-Beach Clean Ups

Cancellation PolicyIf you need to cancel your reservation, please call (361)653-2620 at least 24 hours in advance. The Aquariumreserves the right to cancel a program if there are fewerthan five registrations 48 hours before the program. If theAquarium cancels a program, any paid registration feesmay be fully refunded or applied to a future program.

September 7Otter Play Children will be “otterly”fascinated with this animalOlympiad that’s perfectlyadapted to life in a wateryhabitat.

SensationalSustainableSeafoodOnce a month, the TexasState Aquarium hosts anevent called SensationalSustainable Seafood.Each month, a local chefdonates his time andcooking skills to makeseafood dishes for sampling by our guests inattendance. This programis geared towards educatingpeople to become awareof seafood that is beingoverfished and to chooseseafood that is sustainable.Guests are treated towonderful seafoodrecipes, along with wineand a great time. Adultsonly, please. (Scheduleand chefs are subject tochange without notice.)

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.Place: TSA LobbyFee: Members, $15 Non-members, $20Reservations are required.Email your reservation [email protected] call (361) 653-2654.

July 9Salt Water Grill

Chef Mark Bettray

The H-E-B Splash Park is open daily from10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., weather permitting,

through Labor Day, September 2.

T S A e v e n t c a l e n d a r

Member Spotlight

This issue’s Spotlight Member features: Susanne Winkley, from Alice, TX

Aquarium: Tell usabout this greatpicture!Winkley: On arecent visit to theAquarium, mydaughter Isabellawent to the underwater viewingroom in DolphinBay before theshow. Bella and myparents had somuch fun theystayed there towatch the show.Prior to the show,the dolphins wereinteracting withBella. She loved it!

Aquarium: Whatmade you decideto become amember of theTexas State Aquarium?Winkley: Isabella loves animals, especially sea life. TheAquarium not only offers her the ability to see different animals,but also to learn and interact with them. We feel the time shespends at the Aquarium helps to spark her imagination.

Aquarium: Do you find value in your membership?Winkley: Absolutely! When out of town family come to visit, wealways take them to the Aquarium. Between my parents’ membership and our personal membership, we have taken Bella to the Aquarium easily over 20 times, probably more!

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MembersAnnual 4th ofJuly PicnicJuly 4

Red, White and Blue – AllAbout You! Thanks forbeing a member!

Join us at the Texas StateAquarium as we celebrateour nation’s birthday. Toshow our appreciation forour members, we’re planning our annual July4th picnic. Seating is limited, and tickets will sellout quickly, so be sure topurchase yours soon!Tickets can be purchasedat the Guest Services

desk during regular hoursor online at texasstateaquarium.org /July4.

Please bring your picnicbaskets, lawn chairs andblankets to relax out bythe bay and enjoy thebest view of the fireworksin the city!

The TSA gift shop andShoreline Grill food courtwill be open during theevent. For more information,call (361) 881-1341.

Member ticket price: $5each

Non-member ticket price*:$10 each

*Must be purchased by a

current TSA member.

Activities that were formerly held in the Blanche DavisMoore Foundation Family Learning Center on the

second floor of the Texas State Aquarium have moved toWeston’s Library, also on the Aquarium’s second floor.

The Learning Center will continue to be used for educational programs. With the activities now taking placein Weston’s Library, access to activities will be availableanytime during operating hours. Previously, activities werenot available during times the Family Learning Center wasbeing used for educational programs.

Next time you visit the Aquarium, join us in Weston'sLibrary, where you can read books, "go fishing," createLEGO fun, play in the "boat," experiment with science, ordirect your own puppet theatre!

We’ll kick off our new Learning Center programming byconnecting our guests via high-definition, ship-to-shoreNautilus Live video transmissions, to scientists working inthe Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean aboard ExplorationVessel Nautilus. Nautilus Live is a partnership of SeaResearch Foundation, Ocean Exploration Trust, andJASON Learning. The connections, made possible by agenerous gift from Orion Drilling, will run every afternoonfrom mid-June through November 9. Times may vary, socheck the TSA website (www.texasstateaquarium.org) orthe Aquarium’s Guest Services desk for details.

The Learning Center room is available to be reserved forall kinds of special classes and learning opportunities. Callour Sales department at (361) 881-1244 or log on tohttp://www.texasstateaquarium.org for more information,or pick up a program announcement at the library desk.

The Family Learning CenterActivities Area Has Moved!

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Washington was overwhelmed from March 9-11, 2013, and it had nothingto do with Sequestration! Students from all over the United States, as

well as students from Canada and Mexico, gathered in Baird Auditorium atthe Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History inWashington, D.C. to present different problems facing the world’s oceans.

This Student Summit was made possible thanks to the planning and support of Coastal America, a partnership of federal agencies, state and localgovernments, and private organizations that work together to protect, preserve,and restore our nation’s coasts. The Student Summit on the Ocean and Coastswas a three-day event that brought students, educators, and representativesfrom their local Coastal America Learning Center to present a project designedaround one of the Ocean Literacy Essential Principles and FundamentalConcepts.

The Texas State Aquarium’s delegation consisted of four Moody Highschool students, Mario Cosio, Julian Abrego, Melanie Barrera, and ToriRamos; as well as their teacher, Vinay Dulip; and Auburn Buehring,Education Projects Manager at the Texas State Aquarium. The Moody HighSchool delegation’s topic was “to inspire to investigate the parameters necessary to determine the possibility of constructing an educational oysterbed at the Texas State Aquarium through sampling of water quality, investigating required permitting, and developing educational signage.”

The students shared their research via a conference-style poster, a three-minute video, and a 10-minute verbal presentation delivered to a panel offederal experts. The Student Summit presentations were streamed live viathe web.

At the end of the Summit, all of the student attendees worked together tocreate a group proclamation that exemplified their goals. This year’s proclamation read: “We are the generation of change. Our choices will determinethe future of our ocean and, consequently, our planet. We recognize that, nomatter where we come from, we must combine our strengths and worktogether. We have an obligation to take action in our communities to protectand conserve the environment and to embolden others with the power andknowledge to do the same. Through our continuous efforts, we will strive tofulfill our vision of an ocean that sustains a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem,is a responsibly managed part of the global economy, and continues to be asource of beauty and inspiration for future generations.”

Congratulations to the Moody High School delegation for an excellentpresentation during the Summit!

TSA Delegation Addresses Coastal America’s Student Summiton the Ocean and Coasts

c u r r e n t e v e n t s c u r r e n t e v e n t s

Summer at the Texas StateAquarium means sun, fun,

smiling faces and SeaCamp!Every year, hundreds of childrenexperience a week full of tours,programs, animal encounters,fishing, and water activities.Younger children enjoy arts andcrafts and story times, whileolder children engage in fieldexperiences, go “behind thescenes” with animal care staff,and enjoy one overnight stayeither at the Aquarium or awildlife conservation center.

Space is limited and campsare filling up quickly, so be sureand register your kids today!

Time isRunning Out to RegisterYour Kids for SeaCamp2013!

The TSA’s delegation to the 2013 Summit (from left to right): Vinay Dulip, Tori Ramos, MelanieBarrera, Mario Cosio, Julian Abrego, and Auburn Buehring.

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p r i v a t e e v e n t s p r i v a t e e v e n t s

Our experienced sales team is eagerto help you plan your training, meeting,

or team building. A serene view of CorpusChristi Bay will help set the tone for ameeting or conference like no other.

We can provide audio-visual equipment,phone conferencing, and dry erase boardfor presentations, and the Texas StateAquarium’s own in-house caterer, Water’sEdge Catering, can provide a fabulouslunch or afternoon snacks for your convenience.

Contact the Sales Department for moreinformation at [email protected] or(361) 881-1307.

Lunch and MeetingSpace Now Availableat the Texas StateAquarium!

The Aquarium is now offering atwo-hour After Work Social

Package for up to 150 guests onSundays through Thursdays only. Thepackage includes everything you willneed for a nice, relaxing evening onCorpus Christi Bay, including the privateuse of the Dolphin Bay UnderwaterViewing Room.

Schedule your complimentary tourtoday. Contact the Sales Departmentfor more information at [email protected] or (361) 881-1307.

The Texas StateAquarium is NowOffering a SpecialAfter Work SocialPackage!

k i d s ’ f u n !

WordSearch

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Circle these wordshidden in the box.

Family FunBird watching walk - Pack a lunch and take a walk along the shoreline. Try to find some familiar birds that have made their home in the area.You also could spot some migrating birds just pass through.

Things you might need:• Good hiking shoes• Water• Binoculars• Bird guide book

(check out the book worm for a helpful guide)

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O E O T I O E L V A V G U J SJ P X L A P O U C H T Q L Z UY W E F E T U G E E N F G J VS P L Q S G I Q D I Q F D B MS D Q W M N R L R S H L I L NR U H F M A L I I S D L V V CE T D V O N T J S B L Q E U OH Q V L Z I X C Y E A M E I LT O L E F V L E I K F H R V BA X N U P B U M H C U P E Y JE R E W T D D C W S A Z E R DF P R R A H C I Q D T D E P A

Book WormCheck out these books in Weston’s Library!

Pelicans by Dorthy Hinshaw Patent Photography by William Munoz

Pelican’s Catch by Janet Halfmann Illustrated by Bob Dacey and Debra Bandelin

A Field Guide: Birds of texas by John H. Rappole and Gene W. Blacklock

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d i d y o u k n o w ?

The Alliance of MarineMammal Parks andAquariums is an international associationrepresenting marine lifeparks, aquariums, zoos,research facilities, andprofessional organizationsdedicated to the highest

standards of care for marine mammals and to theirconservation in the wild through public education,scientific study, and wildlife presentations.

The Texas State Aquarium is accredited by theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA isAmerica’s leading accrediting organization for zoosand aquariums, and accredits only those institutionsthat have achieved rigorous, professional standardsfor animal care and management, veterinary care,wildlife conservation and research, education, safety,staffing, and more. Look for the AZA logo wheneveryou visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance thatyou are supporting a facility dedicated to providingexcellent care for animals, a great experience for you,and a better future for all living things. With its morethan 200 accredited members, AZA is building NorthAmerica’s largest wildlife conservation movementand is your link to helping animals in their nativehabitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.

The Texas StateAquarium was designated as a Coastal America CoastalEcosystem LearningCenter in 1998. CoastalAmerica combines theresources of federalagencies with marine

educational centers. The mutual partnershipextends to involving communities in protection,preservation, and restoration projects throughoutthe Nation.

Proud Partners with

The Texas State Aquarium depends on volunteers to ensure aquality guest experience. No matter what your skills, the

Aquarium is a wonderful place to give back to the community.

TSA has programs for:• Individuals (age 18 or older)• Groups (company, civic, school, etc.)• Guide Partner Program (age 12 or older) – must volunteer with

an adult; both sign up as volunteers.• AquaTeen Program – an exciting way for kids (14-17 years old)

to explore the opportunities in zoo and aquarium careers. Year-round program (June-May).

Volunteer Benefits:• Free admission to the Aquarium• Free parking• Earn guest passes for hours of service• Special recognition and volunteer

appreciation events• Discounts in the Gift Shop and Food Court• Specialized training on exhibits, operations,

animals and conservation (depending onposition)

• Volunteer newsletter, to keep you informed• Opportunities to meet new people with

similar interests• Opportunity to support a recognized leader

in tourism, informal education, conservationand rehabilitation

For more information on how you can becomea volunteer, access the TSA website (www.texasstateaquarium.org) and go to our event calendarpage for dates and times of upcoming VolunteerInformation Sessions or contact (361) 881-1381or [email protected].

Be a Volunteer! Support theVolunteer Program at TSA!

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1235Corpus Christi, TX

How To Contact Us:Accounting (361) 881-1286Admissions (361) 881-1230Donations & Development (361) 881-1324Education & SeaCamp (361) 881-1204Executive Offices (361) 881-1254Food Court (361) 881-1205General Information (361) 881-1200Gift Shop (361) 881-1232Group Reservations & Rentals

(361) 881-1307Guide Office (361) 881-1252Injured Animal (361) 881-1210Membership (361) 881-1341Volunteers (361) 881-1381

Texas State Aquarium2710 N. ShorelineCorpus Christi, Texas 78402-1097(361) 881-1200www.texasstateaquarium.org

The Star is published by the Texas State Aquarium for supporters and Members of the TexasState Aquarium. © 2013 by Texas State Aquarium Association, a not-for-profit organization.

Our MissionConnecting people with nature and inspiring conservation of the Gulf of Mexico.

Our VisionTo be a nationally-recognized Aquariumleader in creating entertaining, educationally-enriching programming; conducting wildlife rehabilitation; and supporting conservation.

w w w . t e x a s s t a t e a q u a r i u m . o r g

Hours of OperationSummer Hours:9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.Monday - Sunday(begins March 1)

Winter Hours:9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Monday - Sunday(begins Labor Day)

Make Waves With YourGenerosity – Join OurPresident’s Council!

When you join our President’s Council with an annual contribution of$1,000 or more, you help us to fulfill our mission and ensure the vitalityand excellence of the Aquarium. Your wave of generosity is felt by morethan 2,500 fish, reptiles, birds, invertebrates, and mammals that call theAquarium home.

We thank our generous President’s Council members with benefits suchas:

• Invitations to exclusive receptions and exhibit previews with likemindedsupporters

• A personalized behind-the-scenes tour with an Aquarium staffmember

• Name recognition in the Aquarium’s Annual Report and on ourAnnual Donor Wall

• Discount of 10% on one facility rental at the Aquarium• Special membership benefit options

Please call or email the Development Office for more information at (361)881-1381 or [email protected].