2. South Padre Island is home to world class
Beaches, Beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets
Fish & Wildlife, Birds, Sea Turtles, Plant Life
Sport Fishing Center (Shallow-water & Gulf)
Leading Port for Shrimp, Maritime & Energy
3rd Largest Hyper-saline Marine Ecosystem
Diverse Marine & Coastal Plant Ecosystems
Coastal Resources: Wind, Sand & Surf
Tourism Economy Linked Nature & RGV

3. Our economy is dependent on natural coastal resources
Visitors are drawn by the beach, fishing, birding, water and
wind sports, and coastal living
Birds and fish that attract visitors and support sports/commercial
fisheries rely on wetland and submerged aquatic plant habitat
Plants also protect & stabilize our dunes, beaches and coastlines
These natural resources support jobs and the economic well-being of SPI &
neighboring communities that service the tourism and hospitality trade.
Our coastal resources also provide unique educational and research
opportunities on wetland, lagoon and offshore ecosystems.

4. Nature tourism brings $4 million into RGV annually
Existing nature venues on SPI generate revenue, provide
visitor activities, and support conservation initiatives
By expanding those visitor activities through the growth of existing
venues and construction of new nature centers we provide a reason
for tourists to extend their stay and dollar expenditures on SPI
More importantly, the co-location of nature centers provides an
opportunity to market & promote SPI as a nature tourism destination
Look at the current venues and what could be developed through
collaboration into an eco-destination and center for coastal resources

6. How: Through Collaboration/Partnership Development
1. Identifyeco-tourism,education,research,restorationanddevelopmentpartners
2. Evaluatethefeasibilityofestablishinganatureeducationandresearchcentercomplex
3. Evaluatethepotentialeconomicbenefittovenues,theislandandregionintermsof
tourism,housing,employment,revenue,etc.
4. Preparecostestimateandpotentialpartnershipstructurefordevelopment
5. Preparemasterdevelopmentplanwithcommunityparticipation
6. Preparedevelopmentandfundingstrategies

7. Proposed Program Elements for Discussion
• Cameron County Bay Access Park & Andy Bowie Park
• SPI CVB Convention Centre Facilities
• SPI City Coastal Resource Program
• Ocean Trust Native Plant Center & Garden
• EDC/BNC Birding Nature Center
• EDC Fish & Wildlife Center (Proposed)
• Wetlands Education Research Center (Proposed)
• Other Potential Partners: Academic, State/Federal Agencies…

8. Our Goal:
Establish South Padre island as a nature center, eco-
tourism destination and educational/research
leadership center for coastal resources.
Next Step: Feasibility & Development Proposal
Please join us. For more information visit:
www.gomnaturecenter.org