Today the National Estuarine Research Reserve System adds its 27th site, this one along the coast of Texas. The Mission-Aransas Reserve is the third largest reserve in the system, comprising 185,708 acres of contiguous wetland, terrestrial, and marine environments.

The land is primarily coastal prairie with unique oak motte habitats. The wetlands include riparian habitat, as well as fresh and salt water marshes. Within the water areas, the bays are large, open, and include extensive tidal flats, seagrass meadows, mangroves, and oyster reefs.

Main reserve partners include the Texas General Land Office (65% of reserve area), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (33% of reserve area), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Fennessey Ranch, and the Coastal Bends Land Trust.

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute has the lead for the reserve, working with a number of partners.

Congratulations, and welcome to the system!