Season of Giving Thanks

Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA Texas) is having another exceptional year, once again due to the collective efforts of many on the local grassroots level. Additionally, CCA Texas continues to hold an active role in habitat restoration and creation by partnering with many other like organizations, academic institutions, and state agencies. Coastal marine conservation efforts take a collective effort by many to ensure that our coastal marine resources are conserved, sustainable, and available for the enjoyment of current and future generations of all people.

Since the first gathering of fourteen concerned recreational anglers in 1977, the strength of CCA Texas has always been the dedicated efforts of the local grassroots. Local members are the key to the success of CCA Texas. Their dedicated efforts to fundraising, community outreach, and more are key to spreading the mindset of sound marine conservation along the Texas coast. Whether you are simply an annual renewing member, a banquet attendee, or an active local board member, you have an opportunity to make a difference. Opportunities are available for banquet planning committees, local chapter Angler Night Out events, local chapter Kid Fish events, local coastline and community cleanups, and much more. Community events are a great way to give back to the resource. Many opportunities exist to better the environment, whether it’s a CCA Texas event or with other groups like Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program (CBBEP), Harte Research Institute (HRI), Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF), San Antonio Bay Partnership (SABP), University Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI), FlatsWorthy, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and others. For that, CCA Texas staff and leadership THANKS YOU!

Local business and corporate sponsorships play a very important role not only in local chapter banquets, but in the CCA Texas habitat creation and restoration efforts. While the majority of CCA funds spent on habitat efforts continue to come from local chapter fundraising events, local chapters and members often play a key role in helping secure corporate and business donations for habitat work. These local relationships that volunteers groom with local community businesses are a crucial part of CCA Texas habitat work as these efforts continue to grow and the cost to execute restoration and creation projects continue to grow at a fast pace as well. This support from across the state deserves a big THANK YOU!

Every year, there seems to be a volunteer, member, or local community business that decides to step to the plate for the conservation of Texas’s coastal resources with a special gesture. During the 2023 STAR Tournament, long-time CCA Life Member Tim Chapman caught a tagged redfish earning him a Haynie boat. In a very short period, Tim knew exactly what he was going to do. Tim donated the boat back to CCA Texas to use in their fundraising in the 2024 season. Not only did Tim donate the boat back to CCA Texas, but he also upgraded the boat with extra accessories and upgraded the motor. The San Bernard chapter volunteers did an amazing job in presale and the night-of tickets, and the donation was a great fund-raising success for CCA Texas. This gesture turned into a $90,000 contribution to CCA Texas. Tim’s long-time support of CCA Texas continues to shine through and over the years he has made sure his family and grandchildren all understand the importance of caring for Texas’s coastal resources.

“As a recreational angler, it is important that each of us do what we can to conserve our coastal resources for future generations. We each hold a responsibility to impress this attitude upon our family, friends and the businesses that we operate with so that the treasure of the Texas coast is here forever.” – Tim Chapman

Mr. Chapman, hats off to you, and THANK YOU!

Partnerships are a large part of conservation success. Whether it is advocacy battles for sound marine fisheries and habitat management, a water permit, or industrial development, like-minded conservation groups and individuals make a difference. Habitat restoration and creation has come to the forefront for many. Habitat projects are expensive and often take the combined efforts of many to become reality. CCA Texas is a founding partner and plays an integral role in planning for many habitat projects and is thankful for the partnerships that enhance the health of our coastal resources. From CCA Texas to our partners; THANK YOU!

As we begin closing out the 2024 year and enter the holiday season, thank your fellow recreational anglers for their conservation efforts and encourage them all to be a part of the movement for the future. For more information about CCA Texas, please visit www.ccatexas.org or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or X.