Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries gives $154,246 to Oso Bay Learning Center

The City of Corpus Christi announced a $154,246 award from the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries program to support the Oso Bay Learning Center, City Manager Peter Zanoni told the City Council on March 24. The check presentation included a short video and remarks from the center's partners and staff.

Zanoni said the Oso Bay preserve includes about 162 acres of protected land, roughly five miles of trails and a 2,500-square-foot education facility. "The learning center has been a gem in our city," he said, and it drew roughly 22,000 visitors in 2025 with 188,000 trail counts recorded by the center’s trail counters.

Dr. Kirsten Stanzell, executive director of Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries, said her nonprofit has worked with the city for years and stepped in when the preserve faced budget challenges. "We were happy to step in and provide the city with those funds needed," she said, and described ongoing negotiations on a memorandum of understanding to expand the partnership.

Mayor Paulette Guajardo thanked the nonprofit and city staff, calling the preserve a “critical piece of Corpus Christi.” Council members from the districts that include the preserve praised community volunteerism that helped sustain programs, and the council received the ceremonial check and photographs.

City staff said the funding will support continued education programs and maintenance of the preserve; staff will outline specific allocations and any follow-up agreements in subsequent administrative materials.

The donation and recognition of partners were presented during the City Manager’s report at the beginning of the March 24 meeting. The presentation included a short video about the preserve and brief remarks from city and nonprofit representatives.