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Coastal Studies Laboratory
Facility of School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences
  • Education Services
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    Community Engagement

    Discover the UTRGV Coastal Studies Lab’s community engagement initiatives, including aquarium and museum tours, volunteer programs, and seasonal camps. Join us in promoting marine science education and conservation in the South Texas region.

    • Tours
  • Public Service Square placeholder image 300px
    Public Service

    Learn about the UTRGV Coastal Studies Lab’s public service initiatives, including beach condition monitoring, Red Tide Rangers, and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Join our efforts in marine conservation and community outreach in the South Texas region

    • Red Tide Rangers
    • Sea Turtle Salvage Stranding Network
    • Texas Beach Watch
    • Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
  • Research
the blue ocean with many fishes swimming

Public Service

Hexagons
A few sand dunes with vegetation and a clear path on the middle where you can see the ocean, and the waves.

Beach Conditions

You can discover detailed information on beach conditions, including water quality, red tide status, weather, and fishing reports, along with other essential resources.

A man standing next to a pick up truck on the beach filling some papers

Texas Beach Watch

Texas Beach Watch, funded by the U.S. EPA and administered by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), is a program that monitors water quality at Texas recreational beaches.

A senior man with a red cap and a kakhi shirt is looking under the microscope

Red Tide Rangers

Red Tide Rangers are trained first responders for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), specifically red tide caused by the phytoplankton Karenia brevis. This organism produces a neurotoxin that can impact both humans and animals, leading to fish die-offs, water discoloration, and respiratory irritation.

Blue Texas state map, with the left side covered by a white dolphin tale

Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN)

Founded in 1980, the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network is a nonprofit organization powered by volunteers, committed to the conservation and understanding of marine mammals.

A turtle walking on the beach towards the ocean

Sea Turtle Salvage and Stranding Network

Coastal Studies Lab is honored to be part of the STSSN, which was officially established in 1980 to record and gather data on marine sea turtle strandings along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts.

Contact Us @

UTRGV Coastal Studies Lab

33363 Marine Lab Dr.
South Padre Island, Texas 78597

Phone: (956) 761-2644
Email: coastal@utrgv.edu

HOURS

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00pm - 5:00pm.

Business Hours:
Monday - Friday
1:00pm - 4:00pm.

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