Texas Gulf Region CWMA

Texas Gulf Region CWMA Conservation partnership to address invasive Brazilian peppertree on the Texas coast

🌿🍴 Last week we had an incredible evening at Eat the Invasives! 🍴🌿What a night! Our community showed up, dug in, and ate...
11/22/2025

🌿🍴 Last week we had an incredible evening at Eat the Invasives! 🍴🌿

What a night! Our community showed up, dug in, and ate the problem — literally. From fried lionfish to grilled Asian tiger prawns to those unforgettable nilgai meatballs in a delicious Brazilian peppercorn sauce, every dish helped shine a light on how invasive species impact our Coastal Bend ecosystems.

A huge thank-you to FINS Grill and Icehouse for hosting the event! Thank you also to everyone who joined us, asked great questions, and helped spread awareness about protecting our native species. Events like this prove that learning about the environment can be delicious, eye-opening, and a whole lot of fun.

Together, we can make a difference — one (invasive) bite at a time! 🦁🐟🌱

11/07/2025

Hello everyone! We are hosting a complimentary event this upcoming Tuesday (11/11/25), and we cordially invite your attendance! The event features a buffet of invasive species, accompanied by educational insights. To RSVP, please utilize the link provided, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Don’t worry guys, the thrips don’t ACTUALLY carry lightsabers. ( We should get to work on fixing that though) ---- ...
09/19/2025

Don’t worry guys, the thrips don’t ACTUALLY carry lightsabers. ( We should get to work on fixing that though)
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Come check us out at the Padre Island Farmers Market! Here until 7 at 14353 Commodores Dr, North Padre Island
08/21/2025

Come check us out at the Padre Island Farmers Market! Here until 7 at 14353 Commodores Dr, North Padre Island

08/10/2025

Let me tell you something!!
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I’ve seen a lot of people questioning why invasive species are something to be removed! So here is a simplistic explanat...
08/05/2025

I’ve seen a lot of people questioning why invasive species are something to be removed! So here is a simplistic explanation of why invasive species are NOT what we want around! Feel free to ask any questions!
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Come check us out for free merch at the Padre Island Farmers market until 7pm! Located at WhiteCap North Padre Island!
07/17/2025

Come check us out for free merch at the Padre Island Farmers market until 7pm! Located at WhiteCap North Padre Island!

03/04/2025

Happy World Wildlife Day!🌎

Today, we're rolling out the green carpet for all the amazing creatures that share our planet! From the majestic whooping cranes to the wily raccoons, it's time to celebrate our wild neighbors and the important roles they play in our ecosystems.

Why We 💚 Wildlife:
🦋 Biodiversity is the Spice of Life: Just like a good taco, nature is best when it's packed with a variety of flavors (or in this case, species)!
🦅 Wildlife: The Original Influencers: Before hashtags, animals were out there influencing entire ecosystems. Who wouldn't want to follow a hawk's lead?
🐬 Nature Needs a Voice (and Some Love): Let's be real-without wildlife, our selfies at the beach would just be pictures of sand. We need those dolphins photobombing our shots!

Let's make some noise for our feathered, furry, and finned friends today. Give a high-paw to wildlife, and remember: every day is a good day to appreciate the wild side of life!



📸: Photo collage of various wildlife seen at the refuge by Viv Atkinson/USFWS. Photos provided by photographers Melissa Zieschang, John Olson, and Kevin Sims.

Yesterday we faced the freezing temperatures and planted 17 native trees at the Port Aransas Community Park!We have done...
02/21/2025

Yesterday we faced the freezing temperatures and planted 17 native trees at the Port Aransas Community Park!

We have done invasive removal work all around the park, and are replacing the invasive with natives! We planted Live oak, yaupon holly, and wax myrtle.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and came out to help! Remember to remove invasive, and plant native!

🌱Plant Native🌱Here's why you should plant native species:•Supports Local Wildlife & Biodiversity•Conserves Water & Reduc...
02/04/2025

🌱Plant Native🌱

Here's why you should plant native species:

•Supports Local Wildlife & Biodiversity
•Conserves Water & Reduces Maintenance
•Prevents the Spread of Invasive Species
•Improves Soil Health & Erosion Control
•Enhances Pollination & Agriculture
•Increases Resilience to Climate Change
•Preserves Cultural & Historical Heritage
•Reduces the Need for Chemical Use

Here are some Coastal Bend Natives and the beautiful species that they attract!

Texas Ebony- butterflies, bees, doves

Anacua- Greenjays, Mockingbirds, butterflies

Texas Persimmonn-Raccoons, opossums, foxes, deer

Turk's Cap-Hummingbirds, butterflies

Prickly Pear Cactus-Javelinas, tortoises, cactus wrens
Milkweed-Monarch butterflies, bees

Remember to always do your research before planting, remove invasives and plant natives!

01/30/2025

Fun & Not-so-fun facts about Brazilian peppertree

Fun:

🔥 Spicy Cousin – It’s actually related to cashews and poison ivy! Some people even call its red berries "pink peppercorns," though they’re not true pepper. 🌶️

🐝 Bee Magnet – Its flowers are a favorite for pollinators, making it a great nectar source for bees and butterflies! 🦋🐝

🌿 Medicinal Marvel – Indigenous people have used it for centuries to treat wounds, infections, and even digestive issues!
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🍃 Natural Pest Repellent – Some studies suggest its leaves and berries have insecticidal properties, making them useful in natural pest control!

Not-so-fun:

🚫 Handle With Care – Some people have allergic reactions to its sap, similar to poison ivy, so be careful when handling it! ⚠️

🌎 World Traveler – Native to South America, it has spread to warm regions worldwide. In some areas, it's even considered invasive due to its rapid growth! 🌍

🔥 Fire-Resistant – Unlike many other invasive plants, the Brazilian Peppertree is somewhat fire-resistant, making it harder to control through traditional burning methods.

🌿 Rapid Growth & Invasiveness – This tree grows incredibly fast and can quickly take over an area, outcompeting native plants. In places like Florida, it's considered one of the most aggressive invasive species!

Please join us at this year's 28th annual Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, TX! Each year since 1996, the Whoopin...
01/22/2025

Please join us at this year's 28th annual Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas, TX!

Each year since 1996, the Whooping Crane Festival has celebrated the annual return of the cranes to their wintering habitat at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. The Texas Coastal Bend is the only place where you can see the world’s last naturally occurring population of Whooping Cranes.

Come find our table to pick up some free swag and hear about all of the things we are currently working on here at CWMA!

For more information about the event, please visit:
https://www.portaransas.org/whooping-crane-festival/

Address

Port Aransas, TX

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