CCA Texas Funds Over $1.4 Million to Conservation Efforts

CCA Texas Executive Board recently approved $1,419,335 for conservation efforts along the Texas Coast. This funding included a $250,000 match for an East Foundation Ranch grant for a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Game Warden facility in Port Mansfield, $6,214 to fund dumpster costs for the 2027 Crab Trap Cleanup along the Texas coast, $125,000 for the Texas Surf Conservancy’s Oyster Education program, and $87,121 for TPWD Region IV Game Warden equipment. In addition, the Texas Management Committee approved $951,000 from the original Executive Board approved Oyster Restoration Fund for a Conservation Certificate of Location Reef to be constructed by the Galveston Bay Foundation in East Galveston Bay.

Port Mansfield Game Warden Facility

CCA Texas will match the $250,000 donation by the East Foundation Ranch for Phase I of the project construction. Phase I of this project will include the groundwork, slab, building shell, rough plumbing, and new seawall for the facility. Phase II of the project will include the complete finish-out for the facility which will result in a 12,000 square-foot facility that includes 2,000 square feet of finished-out interior, six 20’ x 35’ boat stalls with overhead door entrances, and one 20’ x 80’ stall. Additionally, there will be two 20’ x 35’ repair bays and a 38’ x 40’ truck bay and a dedicated mechanic shop. The finished-out interior space will include a bunk room, restrooms, kitchen, utility room, and an evidence room. This facility will house five patrol bay boats, a new 42’ MetalCraft Interceptor vessel – on call 24/7, and a jet dock system. Support from CCA Texas and East Foundation Ranch will allow for a greater law enforcement presence on Texas waters alongside air assets. It will also expand warden capacity during major operations and natural disasters while supporting youth education, training, and community outreach. The public benefits include an increased TPWD Game Warden presence in the Laguna Madre and Texas state waters offshore, ability for the TPWD to increase presence during natural disasters and emergency situations and incentivizes the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to maintain East Cut dredging to support law enforcement activities and promote essential water exchange into the Lower Laguna Madre. CCA Texas welcomes the opportunity to work with the East Foundation Ranch, TPWD, and others to solidify TPWD Game Warden presence on the Lower Texas coast.

2027 to Mark 25 Years of the TPWD Annual Abandoned Crab Trap Cleanup Program

What started out as a determined effort by the late Ronnie Luster and TPWD Game Wardens in the Port O’Connor area has now grown to its 25th year for the planned 2027 TPWD Annual Abandoned Crab Trap Cleanup Program. CCA Texas has proudly supported this program from its inception and will do so once again by providing $6,214 that will cover the cost of the necessary dumpsters that will be placed along the Texas coast for the annual effort. A vision and a determined effort initiated by Ronnie, a long-time CCA Texas Executive Board member, Management Committee member and TPWD Committee Chairman, has made a lasting effort that benefits the Texas coast and brings together conservation-minded anglers each year.

Texas Surf Conservancy’s Oyster Education Program

CCA Texas Executive Board has once again funded the Texas Surf Conservancy’s Oyster Education Program. This $125,000 commitment supports the mission of the Texas Surf Conservancy to work collaboratively across disciplines and industries to preserve the health of marine habitats and promote oyster mariculture along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The Surf Conservancy’s primary goals are to: provide educational programs on oysters, oyster habitats, and marine environments; host and participate in community events to promote oyster mariculture; promote Texas farm-raised oysters at trade shows, conferences, and symposia; promote and support Texas oyster farms and sustainable seafood practices; support marine habitat restoration projects on the Gulf Coast of Texas; and advocate for sound coastal policies and legislation. Texas Surf Conservancy envisions a united Texas where marine ecosystems and oyster mariculture thrive in coastal communities, supported by science, industry, and innovators working together. “The Science of Oysters” programs—Oyster Adventures and Oyster Explorers was launched to elementary schools across the Coastal Bend in the fall of 2025. Since that time, the program has educated nearly 3,000 students on the importance of oysters as a keystone species. CCA Texas is proud to support this effort that educates future generations of the importance of oysters and oyster habitat in our ecosystems and promotes the sustainable practices of successful oyster mariculture in the state.

TPWD Region IV Game Warden Equipment

TPWD Game Wardens are the front line in protection of Texas’s natural resources inland and along the coast. CCA Texas has a long history of supporting the coastal wardens through donations for equipment, internships and operations. With an $87,121 contribution to Region IV wardens, these area wardens will now have updated and reliable equipment including three new outboard motors replacing high hour motors (two in District 4 and 1 in District 2), and three new Garmin GPS units for District 2 replacing older model units. Strong law enforcement comes with strong wardens and reliable equipment.

Galveston Bay Foundation Conservation Certificate of Location

CCA Texas Management Committee approved $951,000 for materials and construction for a new Conservation Certificate of Location to be located in East Galveston Bay and constructed by the Galveston Bay Foundation. This commitment comes from the $5,000,000 Oyster Restoration Fund approved by the CCA Texas Executive Board in August of 2023 and now fully commits this original $5,000,000 commitment.  The $5,000,000 Oyster Restoration Fund has now provided funding to seven restoration projects and CCA Texas looks forward to seeing several of these projects begin construction in the spring of 2027. These projects and funds are a direct result of dedicated local volunteers and members and their banquet fundraising efforts.

For more information about CCA Texas, please visit our website at www.ccatexas.org, and follow us on Instagram at cca_texas and on Facebook at CCA Texas.