The seagrass monitoring workgroup was created by TPWD as an outgrowth of their efforts to implement the Texas seagrass monitoring plan which is a key part of the state seagrass conservation plan. The first meeting was held on July 8, 2003. The workgroup meets roughly every 3 months to discuss issues related to seagrass and seagrass conservation in the state of Texas. Membership includes representatives from a number of state (Texas Parks & Wildlife; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas General Land Office) and federal agencies (US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, US Army Corps of Engineers), local governmental agencies (Port of Corpus Christi), universities (University of Texas Marine Science Institute, University of Texas � Pan American, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi) and various non-profit conservation organizations (The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuary Program). The main focus of these meetings is to improve communication and coordination between the various entities and individuals working to conserve and protect seagrasses in the state of Texas, thus aiding implementation of various aspects of the Texas seagrass monitoring plan.

Workgroup Committee Chairs

Education

Karen Meador        Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Jace Tunnell          Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program

Research

Ken Dunton             Marine Science Institute, University of Texas
Patrick Larkin          Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, Texas A&M University

Management

Beau Hardegree      US Fish and Wildlife Service
Paul Carangelo       Port of Corpus Christi

For more information on the Seagrass Monitoring Workgroup or the data matrix availability, contact Nathan Kuhn at (512) 912-7016 or e-mail seagrass@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Link here to workgroup meeting minutes.