Press Releases

Kritter Kamp June 16-20 TAMU-CC Press Release (PDF 209KB)

Kritter Kamp July 7-11 TAMU-Kingsville Press Release (PDF 207KB)

CBWPC in the News

04/08/2008 Beeville Bee Picayune

KRITTERS FOR KIDS PROGRAM INTRODUCED TO FMC

Harold Ashley loves hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors so it seems almost natural that he would want to help others appreciate his passion. As manager of community affairs with American Electric Power Texas, he had the authority to make that come true with a company donation of wildlife photography to five Beeville public elementary and middle schools. On Wednesday morning, he along with those from the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest, were at FMC Elementary handing 25 of the contest’s most recent book.

Michelle Horine, with Kritters’ 4 Kids Environmental Education Program, said that the program, which uses photos from the contest in their books, has been handing out books not only in Beeville but schools throughout this area. Along with the books, the schools also get a large binder containing lesson plans for the teachers. "There are over 20 different environmental lessons," she said, adding that unlike other lesson plans, these are geared toward Texas and the native plants and animals. The idea, she said, is to teach the children about the environment at a young age so they can develop an appreciation for what is around them. "We want them to be aware at a young age," she said. "That is planting a seed." At FMC, children were eager to share their stories of seeing alligators and birds. But that isn’t the case for all children.

excerpt from bee-picayune.com

12/05/2007 The Aransas Pass Progress

Charlie Marshall students get environmental lesson

"...Upon completion of the Summer Academy, teachers received a curriculum guide and a classroom set of books. The CBBEP donated books titled "Wildlife in Focus III" for Cribb’s classroom. In addition, Flora Caylor, an employee of the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), will also be doing some team-teaching in the classroom on what was learned over the summer.

"The teachers who attended the Summer Academy received training on the local ecology by the Texas State Aquarium, Texas A&M- Corpus Christi and from the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest.

They learned about adaptations and water quality, visited Red Fish Bay, and did some course sampling. They also learned about sea grasses and plant life in the area.

Read the full article on aransaspassprogress.com

11/15/2007 The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Museum lecture series

"As part of the Corpus Christi Museum Lecture Series, Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History, 1900 N. Chaparral St., will host more than a dozen local residents who have published books on science and history subjects beginning at 7 p.m. today. Each author will introduce his or her book, and the books will be available for sale and signing."

Read the full article on caller.com

10/01/2007 Port Aransas South Jetty

Elementary school receives donation of wildlife books from conservation group

"Things got a little wild recently at H.G. Olsen Elementary School.

"But in a good way.

"On Thursday, Sept. 27, the school received 40 books, Wildlife in Focus III, as a donation from the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, a non-profit group that works to protect the health of area bays and estuaries while supporting economic growth and public use of coastal areas."

Read the full article on portasouthjetty.com

08/27/2007 The Corpus Christi Caller Times

In focus, in nature

"Photographers shot more than 500,000 photographs exclusively on area ranches during the five-month Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest, which ran from Feb. 1 through July 30.

"Winners were announced last weekend at American Bank Center. Winning photographer-landowner teams will share $91,000 from this year's contest."

Read the full article on caller.com

06/22/2007 The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Kids learn about science at camp

"'The goal is to help educate our youth by combining science and art to protect and preserve wildlife in the Coastal Bend,' said Rhonda Camp, camp coordinator and office manager for the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest. 'The kids are so knowledgeable already. It didn't take them much to get excited.'"

Read the full article on caller.com

11/2/2006 The Corpus Christi Caller Times

Christmas in Texas

Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest's third volume of Wildlife in Focus is a stunning gift for the photographer, birder or outdoors enthusiast. The educational text accompanying the photos raises awareness about wildlife and habitat. Kudos for a good index to the creatures and ecological topics. The 10,000 books printed will be available for $25 to $40 at Susan Castor Collection, Texas State Aquarium gift shop, and the Welder Wildlife Refuge gift shop. Or use the order form on the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest's web site..."

Read the full article on caller.com

10/31/2005 Corpus Beat

Local wildlife contest 'second richest in the world'

"The Coastal Bend is host to a biennial photography contest designed to heighten awareness of local wildlife. Earlier this year, contest organizers awarded $75,000 in total prize money to the winners. CorpusBeat chats with Michelle Horine, executive director of Coastal Bend Wildlife Habitat Education Program, to find out more about the contest.

Read the full article on corpusbeat.org

2005 NatureScapes.net

Conservation Photography: Investments and Returns at Home

"...For many photographers, it provides access to private properties one would not otherwise ever see or get a chance to photograph on. One gets to meet excellent photographers and landowners and develop lasting friendships. The photographer gets a chance to improve photographic techniques and build portfolios. Those photo books with images by Larry Ditto, Jeremy Woodhouse, and Sean Fitzgerald, Bill Draker and Rolf Nussbaumer and yours truly are quite impressive. But perhaps, importantly, it’s the public awareness our photos provide towards habitat and wildlife conservation that makes a difference."

Read the full article on naturescapes.net