Laguna Madre Field Trip

APPLICATIONS DUE Friday 12/5/2025 APPLICATIONS CLOSED AND TRIP IS FULL

 

In the Winter Quarter (2026) program Conservation Biology and Ecology from the Pacific Northwest to the Gulf Coast, there will be a optional multi-day field trip near the end of winter quarter. The aim of the trip is to provide an immersive educational experience within an important conservation landscape encompassing a wide array of soundscapes. The field trip location is the Laguna Madre of south Texas. This area is a rare system of hypersaline lagoon and is an important area for resident, over-wintering, and migrating birds and the seagrass beds support a considerable amount marine life. During the trip, students will have to opportunity to learn from local conservationists and undertake research projects in the field.  

Students who opt to participate in this field trip will have the following expenses in addition to the required fees of the program: 

Student Fee- paid to the college: $880 (covers lodging, food, and local transportation costs on the Field Trip). The fee does not cover transportation to and from Corpus Christi, TX.  Current airfares from Seattle to Corpus Christi International Airport (as of 11/04/25) are approximately $500 and typically range between $450 – $600. 

Laguna Madre: Photo by Jason Garza
https://texashighways.com/travel/photography/a-birds-eye-view-of-laguna-madre/

Working Itinerary (link below)

Working Itinerary

Gear List 

Gear List Laguna Madre.docx

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions.docx

Wildlife Links – for more information

Here is an ebird checklist of birds in Nueces county, Tx

https://ebird.org/region/US-TX-355?yr=all

An informative Texas Parks and Wildlife Page on Laguna Madre wildlife

https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/habitats/bays/ulm/ulm_expand.phtml#:~:text=Other%20Notable%20Marine%20Life&text=system%20for%20foraging%20or%20habitat,especially%20early%20in%20the%20morning.

Here is a link to Padre Island National Seashore and the most common wildlife viewed there

https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/nature/animals.htm

A couple of handouts and flyers highlighting common fishes

Fishes Booklet

UNT-0038-0010smaller

A fishes flyer

UNT-0053-0573

Field Trip Application (linked below) – 

Evergreen Study Away (select the winter quarter Conservation Biology and Ecology option)