The Hamman Hall of Texas Coastal Ecology depicts the environmental characteristics of the three distinct segments of the Texas coast through critical habitats, iconic species, concerns and impacts, recreation, and opportunities for conservation and restoration.
Nearest to Houston, the upper Texas coast, is dominated by salt marsh and oyster reef habitats and characterized by plentiful freshwater inflows. The middle Texas coast has a smaller population of humans and less rainfall than the upper coast but with considerable salt marshes and oyster reefs.
The semi-arid lower Texas coast at the southern tip of the state is home of Laguna Madre, the most famous hypersaline lagoon in the world, boasts seagrass beds and wind-tidal flats. Here you will learn of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and its recovery from near extinction.
Visitors to the Hamman Hall of Texas Coastal Ecology will learn how a healthy environment is paramount to maintaining and sustaining a healthy economy.