KILLEEN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host five upcoming Coastal Expos for the public, starting with events in Killeen Nov. 10–11 and Kingsville Nov. 16–18. Similar expos will take place Feb. 3 in Victoria, Feb. 10 in Harlingen and Feb. 22–24 in Edinburg.

Coastal Expos are free and open to the general public, although if they’re part of a larger event that event may charge admission.

The Killeen expo will take place at the Special Events Center on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Another expo will take place on Nov. 16–18 in conjunction with the South Texas Wildlife & Birding Festival in Kingsville at the First United Methodist Church Community Life Center.

Coastal Expos are fun, family-oriented events where visitors interact with live crabs, fish, and other coastal animals while learning about freshwater inflows, coastal conservation issues and beach habitats.

Activities include touch tanks with a wide variety of live coastal animals such as sea urchins, sea squirts, crabs, and other sea life. At the glass-bottom stream, visitors will learn about animals’ natural habitats and how bugs can indicate pollution levels in water.

Participants will also have an opportunity to solve a mysterious fish kill, paint images of coastal fish, identify beach objects by touch, and learn about fishing, boating safety, and other coastal issues through a variety of fun and educational devices.

Other Coastal Expos for next year include:

  • February 3 in conjunction with Man to Man Family Outdoor Expo in Victoria.
  • February 10 in conjunction with Ocelot Festival in Harlingen.
  • February 22–24 in conjunction with Fiesta Edinburg in Edinburg.

For more information or to volunteer for any of these events contact Kris Shipman at (512) 912-7037 or Kris.Shipman@tpwd.state.tx.us. No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers can be taught everything needed at the event.

– Texas Saltwater Fishing Guide