The Wetland Ambassadors are a group of six grade experts. These students hard work and leadership skills enable them to be community and school leaders. They weekly sample air and water quality from around the Corpus Christi Coastal Bend area. While conducting scientific measurements they run trash cleanups, teach younger students, organize nurdle patrols, and champion many more community projects. Their goal is teach others how simple changes and mindful effort can contribute to the health of the ocean. In the past year they have helped pass legislation to create a new county park, hike and bike trail, and even remove invasive species. They are currently working hard to raise awareness about ocean acidification.
Dara Orbach, Ph.D.
Whales and dolphins
Dr. Orbach is a professor of cetaceans, whales and dolphins. Among numerous other areas she studies the bottle nose dolphins of the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Orbach’s research has been featured on numerous tv shows. She is a huge proponent of education.
Present on February 23
Adrien Hilmy
Coastal Ecosystems
Mr. Hilmy is the project manager for Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Programs. He oversees the water and sediment quality projects.
Presented on March 31
Xinping Hu Ph.D.
Ocean Acidification
Dr. Hu is a professor at the Harte Research Institute and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. His research focuses on carbon cycle science in estuarine, coastal, and oceanic environments. Dr. Hu is committed to training the next generation of marine scientists.
Presented on April 4
Dorina Murgulet, Ph.D.
Inland water and acidification
Dr. Murgulet is the director for the Center for Water Supply Studies in addition to a professor at Texas A&M University- Corpus Christi. Her research is on aquifer dynamics and freshwater and saltwater dynamics. She is the mother of a third grader at Flour Bluff.
Presented on April 5
Keisha Bahr, Ph.D.
Coral
Dr. Bahr is a professor of coral and reef ecosystems from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. She studies eco-physiology, climate change ecology, ocean acidification and carbonate chemistry.
Presented on April 12
Larisa Ford, Ph.D.
Deep Sea
Dr. Ford has a long resume that includes being the director of the Mariana’s Monument (this is where the Mariana’s Trench is). She is retired from the Department of the Interior but continues to work as a professor and grant writer. She is deeply committed to marine education.
Presented on April 20
Wetland Ambassadors
Student Experts
Join us as the sixth grade Wetland Ambassadors use puppets, fabric board, and coloring pages to talk about Ocean Acidification. These student leaders will answer questions about carbon sinks, carbon dioxide creation, and more.
Presented on April 24
Wetland Ambassadors
Student Experts
Join us as the sixth grade Wetland Ambassadors use puppets, fabric board, and coloring pages to talk about Ocean Acidification. These student leaders will answer questions about carbon sinks, carbon dioxide creation, and more.
Presented on April 27
Yajuan Lin, Ph.D.
Phytoplankton and the Ocean Carbon Cycle
Dr. Lin is a seagoing oceanographer working with phytoplankton aka the invisible forest. The has traveled around the world including Antarctica to study the ocean carbon cycle. She is proud to promote STEM education and opportunities to rising female scientists. She is a professor at A&M University- Corpus Christi.
Presented on May 1