In Jim Blackburn’s book: A Texas Plan for the Texas Coast he writes: “Like many Texans, I grew up hunting and fishing on the coast…I was fortunate. I had a guide that taught me to feel comfortable, to feel at home in these areas.”
I cannot imagine a life without memories of the Gulf Coast, hiking the metamorphic rocks of Catalina, snorkeling with the sea lions in the Sea of Cortez, and coming face to face with the Grey whales of the Pacific San Ignacio Lagoon.
I have been back on the Texas coast for over ten years now and realize that my education and explorations have given me a unique perspective on marine science education and resource management.
I got to teach marine sciences and lead groups in National Marine Sanctuaries and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. I didn’t think there was a place for me to continue this work when I moved back to the Gulf Coast until I got my Captain’s Licenses OUPV and Master 100-ton. But perhaps Galveston and the entire Gulf Coast need my help the most. And we need your help.
I founded Custom Coastal Outreach in 2023 with the original mission to Get Kids on Boats. In 2024 we got about 150 participants on boats exploring the Galveston Shipping Channel’s natural and economic resources and how they relate to resource and workforce development.
We learned a lot – but perhaps the most important lesson was that people living on the shores (95% of our participants live on Galveston Island) have little knowledge of what lives beneath the waters: from the tiniest of plankton to our smaller subspecies of bottlenose dolphins and perhaps even less knowledge surrounding the economies these resources support.
I have spent my whole adult life living on the coast, with a dedication to teaching people about our coastal resources.
My degree in Ocean and Coastal Resources is a unique degree within the Marine Science field. It became apparent that graduates who are well-equipped to understand not only the physical (biological, oceanographical, chemical, geological, etc) resources but also the politics, economics and law that surround the management of these resources could become spokespeople that communicate effectively with the general public, policy makers, and scientists.
At a time when most grads were going on to a career analyzing GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for oil companies, working towards graduate degrees, or working to get their Teacher Certifications, I landed my first job on Catalina Island as a Field Marine Science Instructor. This began a decade-long adventure that culminated in 7 years of working and living in La Paz, BCS, Mexico as a field instructor and later as a naturalist guide and custom trip planner.
I moved back to Texas in 2014 and somehow became a realtor. I did enjoy helping people buy their most precious coastal resource, their home; but I missed the passion and purpose I had teaching about Marine Sciences.
Summer of 2021 I got to go on three outstanding off-shore, red snapper fishing trips and ended up with a little 20′ Boston Whaler. This was exciting! Also after 7 years, I returned to La Paz for the first time. This was a very valuable trip for me at this time. It reminded me of a life that I loved, an adventure that I was so fortunate to have had the ability to live. Spring of 2022 I went to Captain’s school. I was going to run eco-trips for the public out of the yacht basin. I got my OUPV (Operator of Un-inspected Passenger Vessel), commonly known as a 6-pack. I went ahead and got the Master 100-ton Captains’ license as I had accrued plenty of sea time between Baja and Texas.
Instead of looking at Galveston’s natural beauty from my eyes (let’s face it, it is not going to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site anytime soon) I began to see it from a visitor’s perspective. My recent trip to Baja reminded me that I helped run the oldest eco-trip company in Southern Baja, and that I know my marine science stuff. My first retail job ever was at the Exchange on the Coast Guard Base. The other was a super-part-time job as a Marine Biologist. Leading groups of students on the water talking about science comes second nature to me, it is where I shine! I was inspired and created a new program for the non-profit, one that reflects current events in marine sciences, Galveston’s unique characteristics, and challenges this area will face.
That is when I realized that I was on to something much larger than a couple of trips in the summer. My friendships include a large network of locals. I have heard about Beach Patrol’s difficulty hiring and retaining lifeguards. I knew they tried to run a new distribution and logistics pathway and 4 out of the 5 necessary students signed up. I know our locals need to be aware of our natural and economical resources. After teaching local high school students in La Paz in the field – camping on an island, snorkeling, kayaking and hiking – I realized the value of exposing students, especially local students, to their natural resources.
I created Custom Coastal Outreach because I believe that bringing together a vast network of people that are passionate about our coast can enhance our quality of life.
At Custom Coastal Outreach, we are dedicated to bridging the gap in understanding coastal processes, resources, industries, and regulations while addressing the future challenges and opportunities facing coastal regions. Focusing initially on middle school students, we prepare them for their TEA high school pathways by introducing them to the diverse career opportunities and interdisciplinary knowledge required in coastal industries.
Thanks for being a part of our mission!
Emily