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Dedication to Education
The Fennessey Ranch is very
committed to programs which utilize our unique habitat to
educate young and old alike in the importance of conservation of
wetlands and protection of animal species. Some of the projects
include:
1. We
teamed with the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge and the
University of Houston for “Migration Day” and Monarch tagging.
2. We
have hosted Copano Bay Soil and Water Conservation District’s
“Earth Day” for Refugio County 8th graders for several years.
3. The
University of Texas has included the Fennessey Ranch in their
Elderhostel Program. We provide half-day tours which include
Refugio County history and the flora and fauna of the ranch.
4. National
Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR), University of Texas -
Fennessey Ranch is an integral part of a site where scientists
can conduct long-term studies on ecosystems which have had
little impact by people. The NERR project is built on 3
principles - Research, Education, and Stewardship.
5. We
have offered a wetlands education program for middle
schools. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Dr. Liz Smith
led studies of wetland ecology and water quality. Outreach
funds provided by the University of Houston’s Texas Learning &
Computation Center underwrote program costs and provided
water quality test kits as well as compasses for students.
Educators are
invited to
Contact
Us for more information on programs offered
by the Fennessey Ranch. We can work with you to provide on-site
educational opportunities for your students.
Private Fennessey Ranch Birding
Trips
We have invested in
2
all-terrain vehicles to open up primitive areas of the ranch to
wildlife and birding tours. They are Pinzgauers, a vehicle used
by the Swiss Army (no, it doesn’t have a folding corkscrew).
Top on or off, the 4-wheel-drive and high clearance allows us to
go virtually anywhere.
We can work with you
to design a customized trip for your family or group; whether you are
interested in seeing specific flora or fauna, or taking a
general tour. Pack a picnic and enjoy the day with your
personal guide. Ride through wetlands, prairie, and river
bottoms viewing our many species of birds, plants, and animals. A minimum of 2, maximum of 10 is
required for a trip. The cost is $105 per person with a ranch
guide and an experienced naturalist to accompany your group for a
full day in the field. Come enjoy a day on the
ranch!
We also work with Captain Tommy
Moore and the Rockport Skimmer to offer Surf & Turf birding
tours. This is 1/2 day on the ranch and 1/2 day on the water
for $105 a day per person. Minimum of 4.
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