https://www.nps.gov/pais News releases from Padre Island National Seashore. en-us https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-seeks-public-comment-on-environmental-assessment-for-proposed-removal-of-invasive-swine-and-antelope.htm Tue, 15 Oct 2024 10:53:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore is seeking public comment on a draft Feral Exotic Invasive Species Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) that would allow the park to remove feral swine and antelope (nilgai). Increasing numbers of feral swine and antelope at the seashore can negatively impact federally threatened and endangered species and their habitat, including the nesting Eastern black rail and Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.  https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-seeks-public-comment-on-environmental-assessment-for-proposed-removal-of-invasive-swine-and-antelope.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/collaboration-results-in-individual-receiving-citations-for-waste-of-fish-at-padre-island-national-seashore.htm Tue, 10 Sep 2024 05:00:00 EST A recent investigation by Padre Island National Seashore NPS law enforcement and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) resulted in an individual being cited for “waste of fish.” https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/collaboration-results-in-individual-receiving-citations-for-waste-of-fish-at-padre-island-national-seashore.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-$7-1-million-in-funding-to-restore-oil-and-gas-well-sites.htm Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:28:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore has been approved to receive a total of $7,115,165 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to restore abandoned oil and gas well sites within the park boundaries. The BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is the largest investment devoted to the restoration and protection of the environment and infrastructure in American history. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-$7-1-million-in-funding-to-restore-oil-and-gas-well-sites.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-seeking-input-on-possible-development-of-feral-exotic-invasive-management-plan.htm Mon, 22 Jul 2024 05:00:00 EST The NPS will soon begin a planning effort at Padre Island National Seashore which is proposing to remove invasive pigs, as well as nilgai antelope, from the Seashore. By enhancing capacity for early detection, rapid response and control, and prevention of re-introduction, landscape restoration is achievable and sustainable. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-seeking-input-on-possible-development-of-feral-exotic-invasive-management-plan.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-$153-000-project-to-analyze-rising-sea-level-impacts-on-sea-turtles.htm Fri, 19 Apr 2024 07:41:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore has secured an additional $153,000 in project funding from the National Park Service Natural Resource Fund Source to investigate the impacts of sea level rise on sea turtle nests. The research will allow park scientists and partners to assess coastal impacts from climate change and the effects of nuisance flooding on nesting sea turtles, including the endangered Kemp’s ridley. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-$153-000-project-to-analyze-rising-sea-level-impacts-on-sea-turtles.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/lone-star-unmanned-aircraft-permit.htm Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:41:00 EST CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft System Center of Excellence and Innovation (LSUASC) will once again reach new heights thanks to the work they are doing with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). LSUASC recently received a scientific collection and research permit from the federal government that will allow them to conduct studies with their drones along Padre Island National Seashore (PAIS). https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/lone-star-unmanned-aircraft-permit.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/beach-management-plan-pre-nepa.htm Fri, 10 Feb 2023 08:26:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking public input on the possible development of a beach management plan at Padre Island National Seashore. The NPS will be accepting public input from February 10 – March 14, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/beach-management-plan-pre-nepa.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/sobriety-checkpoint-at-padre-island-national-seashore-on-saturday-may-28-2022.htm Thu, 26 May 2022 09:42:00 EST CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Law Enforcement officers at Padre Island National Seashore will be conducting a Sobriety Checkpoint as part of their high-visibility enforcement campaign on Saturday, May 28, 2022 on Park Road 22 near the Malaquite Visitor Center parking lot. This checkpoint will support the continued detection and deterrence of alcohol and drug-impaired driving and contribute to a safe park experience for all visitors on Memorial Day weekend. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/sobriety-checkpoint-at-padre-island-national-seashore-on-saturday-may-28-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/public-comment-invited-on-proposed-housing-replacement-project.htm Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:16:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) is seeking input regarding a proposed housing replacement project at Padre Island National Seashore (the park). This project will demolish and remove one obsolete trailer and one obsolete modular home in an area south of the park’s Visitor Center. The project will replace the obsolete units with new housing units in the same area. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/public-comment-invited-on-proposed-housing-replacement-project.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-plans-prescribed-fire-to-benefit-island-ecosystem.htm Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:19:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore, with the assistance of fire crews from Big Thicket National Preserve, is preparing to conduct a prescribed burn at the seashore to reduce the amount of dead, overgrown grasses, revitalize island plant communities, and protect seashore infrastructure and historic resources from future wildland fires. Approximately 1,183 acres will be burned as part of this operation. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-plans-prescribed-fire-to-benefit-island-ecosystem.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/texas-state-aquarium-helps-cold-stunned-sea-turtles-from-padre-island-national-sea-shore.htm Mon, 07 Feb 2022 06:47:00 EST Over Friday, February 4th and Saturday, February 5th, the Texas State Aquarium admitted 80 cold-stunned green sea turtles from the Padre Island National Seashore and the Texas Sealife Center. These sea turtles were found in the shallow bay systems on the Laguna Madre, suffering from hypothermia and other complications due to the low temperatures registered in the state in recent days. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/texas-state-aquarium-helps-cold-stunned-sea-turtles-from-padre-island-national-sea-shore.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-300-000-in-additional-federal-funding-for-sea-turtles.htm Tue, 11 Jan 2022 11:54:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore Superintendent Eric Brunnemann announced the park secured an additional $300,000 in federal funding for research into the survival rates, resource use patterns, and a debilitating wildlife disease of the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-300-000-in-additional-federal-funding-for-sea-turtles.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/contract-for-preliminary-study-of-beach-management-awarded.htm Tue, 16 Nov 2021 10:53:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore has awarded EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. to provide the NPS and Padre Island National Seashore with preliminary planning services as the park considers the need for a beach management plan. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/contract-for-preliminary-study-of-beach-management-awarded.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/early-morning-vehicle-accident-at-national-seashore-entrance.htm Sat, 06 Nov 2021 07:15:00 EST An early morning vehicle accident at the entrance of Padre Island National Seashore caused damage to an entrance booth. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/early-morning-vehicle-accident-at-national-seashore-entrance.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1778/algaltoxins.htm Thu, 14 Oct 2021 07:51:00 EST Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service partnered on a first-of-its-kind, nationwide harmful algal bloom, or HAB, field study that began this summer and will continue over the next two years. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1778/algaltoxins.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/malaquite-visitor-center-shower-repair-contract-awarded.htm Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:10:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded the contract for the repair of the Malaquite Visitor Center indoor shower facilities. The $377,000 contract was awarded to Weil Construction., Inc. of Albuquerque, New Mexico. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/malaquite-visitor-center-shower-repair-contract-awarded.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/bird-island-basin-boat-launch-repair-contract-awarded.htm Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:18:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) has awarded the contract for the repair of the boat launch at Bird Island Basin (BIB). The $413,000 contract was awarded to Northern Management Services, Inc. of Sandpoint, Idaho. The BIB boat launch sustained significant damage during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/bird-island-basin-boat-launch-repair-contract-awarded.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/park-entrance-fees-apply-to-special-events.htm Mon, 28 Jun 2021 07:34:00 EST When special events such as sea turtle hatchling releases resume, event participants will be expected to pay the national seashore entrance fee. Special events will resume when, based on guidance from the Department of Interior, the National Park Service (NPS) and the NPS Office of Public Health, the three counties that surround the national seashore have low to moderate community transmission rates of COVID as defined by the Center for Disease Control. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/park-entrance-fees-apply-to-special-events.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-s-eleven-orphan-wells-plugged-by-railroad-commission-of-texas-with-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-funding-awarded-by-the-restore-council.htm Fri, 16 Apr 2021 06:43:00 EST In partnership with the RESTORE Council, Padre Island National Seashore and the Railroad Commission (RRC) of Texas have successfully completed a project to plug ten orphan oil and gas wells and an associated groundwater well at the park. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-s-eleven-orphan-wells-plugged-by-railroad-commission-of-texas-with-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-funding-awarded-by-the-restore-council.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-welcomed-617-704-visitors-in-2020.htm Fri, 19 Mar 2021 12:28:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore welcomed 617,704 visitors in 2020, a higher number than the previous two years. In the month of May, visitation rose from 54,426 in 2019 to 97,368 in 2020. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-welcomed-617-704-visitors-in-2020.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-to-begin-releasing-rehabilitated-cold-stunned-sea-turtles.htm Mon, 22 Feb 2021 10:44:00 EST Texas recently experienced record breaking cold temperatures, causing the largest cold stunning event in the state’s history. Cold stunning causes sea turtles to become immobilized when water temperatures get too low. As part of an ongoing rescue effort, hundreds of sea turtles were brought to Padre Island National Seashore, primarily from the Laguna Madre, where waters are relatively shallow and heavily influenced by cold air temperatures. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-to-begin-releasing-rehabilitated-cold-stunned-sea-turtles.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-partners-with-texas-state-aquarium.htm Tue, 26 Jan 2021 10:03:00 EST Providing vital support to Padre Island National Seashore during the COVID-19 epidemic, Texas State Aquarium became the second Aquarium-Park Partnership to participate in a joint initiative of National Park Service and Association of Zoos and Aquariums with the signing of a general agreement on December 23, 2020. Called the Zoo-Park Partnerships for America’s Keystone Wildlife Project, this initiative involves 10 other zoo/aquarium and National Park pairs across the country. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-partners-with-texas-state-aquarium.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-entrance-fee-free-days-for-2021.htm Mon, 07 Dec 2020 10:33:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore will waive its entrance fee on six days in 2021. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-entrance-fee-free-days-for-2021.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-to-temporarily-modify-operations-to-implement-local-health-guidance.htm Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:37:00 EST The park will temporarily close vehicular access to North Beach and South Beach. The closure will remain in effect until 6:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-to-temporarily-modify-operations-to-implement-local-health-guidance.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/digital-entrance-passes-now-available-at-padre-island-national-seashore.htm Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:36:00 EST Beginning on Thursday, July 2, 2020, visitors to Padre Island National Seashore can now purchase digital entrance passes for annual, seven-day, and one-day park entry online. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/digital-entrance-passes-now-available-at-padre-island-national-seashore.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-to-temporarily-close-for-4th-of-july-weekend.htm Wed, 01 Jul 2020 06:00:00 EST The National Park Service announced today that in coordination with Nueces County, the cities of Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, Padre Island National Seashore will be temporarily closing for this weekend. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-to-temporarily-close-for-4th-of-july-weekend.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-suspension-of-public-turtle-release-events-for-summer-2020.htm Wed, 20 May 2020 05:30:00 EST The National Park Service, in response to ongoing health guidance is announcing additional modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-announces-suspension-of-public-turtle-release-events-for-summer-2020.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-is-beginning-to-increase-recreational-access-allowing-overnight-beach-camping.htm Fri, 01 May 2020 10:19:00 EST Beginning May 2, 2020, Padre Island National Seashore will end day-use only hours and open access to: overnight beach camping on North Beach and South Beach, Yarborough Pass 4WD road, and overnight boat trailer parking at Bird Island Boat Ramp https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-is-beginning-to-increase-recreational-access-allowing-overnight-beach-camping.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/park-to-temporarily-close-for-weekend.htm Thu, 09 Apr 2020 10:30:00 EST The National Park Service announced today that in coordination with Nueces County and the city of Corpus Christi, Padre Island National Seashore will be temporarily closing for the weekend. The park will be closed to all visitors starting this evening at 8 p.m. April 9, 2020, until Monday, April 13, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/park-to-temporarily-close-for-weekend.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-will-be-open-for-day-use-only-until-further-notice.htm Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:58:00 EST In order to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), as of 12 am on Friday March 27, 2020 Padre Island National Seashore will be open for day-use only from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Additionally, Yarborough Pass 4WD road will be closed until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-will-be-open-for-day-use-only-until-further-notice.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/eric-brunnemann-selected-as-superintendent-of-padre-island-national-seashore.htm Wed, 25 Mar 2020 07:42:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore's new superintendent, Eric Brunnemann, will start on April 26, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/eric-brunnemann-selected-as-superintendent-of-padre-island-national-seashore.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/new-modifications-to-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm Wed, 25 Mar 2020 05:59:00 EST Following the latest guidance from the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Malaquite Campground will be closed until further notice. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/new-modifications-to-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm Wed, 18 Mar 2020 11:52:00 EST Padre Island National Seashore is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/news/padre-island-national-seashore-is-modifying-operations-to-implement-latest-health-guidance.htm