Houston, Texas – (March 3, 2025)
CCA Texas recently approved $1,367,000 in funding to support coastal conservation, law enforcement support, public outreach, and habitat restoration across the Texas Gulf Coast at its February 2026 State Board meeting.
Approved proposals include:
- $1,000,000 — Carlos Reef Oyster Restoration Project (Carlos Bay)
This funding supports restoration within the permitted 306-acre area, with CCA resources dedicated to 70–80 acres of high-priority reef. Restored reefs will improve local hydrodynamics, mitigate marsh loss along shorelines, and enhance water quality. - $50,000 per year for three years ($150K total) — Expansion of Sink Your Shucks™ (Harte Research Institute)
Funding will expand the highly successful program that recycles oyster shells from restaurants, engages volunteers, and educates the public about the importance of coastal habitats. The expanded project will increase the footprint of restoration activities, offer additional volunteer opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and pilot innovative reef structures. - $20,000 per year for five years ($100K total) — Operation Game Thief
Multi-year funds committed to helping increase death benefit payments to families of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Game Wardens lost in the line of duty during their greatest time of need from $50,000 to $100,000 per tragic incident. - $50,000 — Newcomb Marsh Restoration Project (Lamar Peninsula, Copano Bay)
Funding to advance marsh restoration efforts on the Lamar Peninsula to benefit shoreline resilience and habitat quality. - $25,000 — Four TPWD Coastal Game Warden Internships
Since 2015, CCA Texas has funded game warden summer internships that provide qualifying college students with paid, professional experience in natural resource conservation. Interns gain skills, training, and mentorship while working alongside experienced Texas Game Wardens. - $22,000 — Three co-branded Sea Grass Protection Billboards (with TPWD)
Three billboards will be placed in high-traffic locations in Brownsville, Galveston, and Rockport to raise public awareness of seagrass protection. - $20,000 — 28 CCA Texas STAR Billboards
Since 1995, the CCA Texas STAR Tournament has awarded over $8.7 million in youth scholarships. These billboards will target markets in Austin, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Beaumont, and Victoria to promote the tournament and attract new members to the conservation community.
“These investments reflect CCA Texas’ unwavering commitment to conserving and restoring our coast while supporting the men and women who protect Texas’ natural resources,” said John Carlson, Chairman of the CCA Texas Board. “From internships that grow the next generation of conservation leaders to large-scale oyster restoration, these projects deliver long-term benefits for our coastal communities and ecosystems.”
“It’s gratifying to begin the year with strong support for coastal initiatives statewide,” said Mike Prasek Jr., President of CCA Texas. “Our volunteers have poured tremendous effort into fundraising for conservation, and we applaud their commitment.”
