• Pathways Poker Tour 2025

    Aransas Pathways Center Pavilion 2491 Highway 35 N, Rockport, TX, United States

    PATHWAYS POKER TOUR 2025 September 20, 2025 Pathways Center - Pavilion and Bridge (Tule W) Check-in and Presentation 10:15-10:30 Tour 10:30-1:30 *Registration required by Sept. 15 Register here:  https://aransaspathways.com/poker-tour-2025 Please print and sign waiver or you can fill one out at the event: https://aransaspathways.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/WaiverReleasePathways-with-emergency-contact.pdf Join some HummerBird Celebration fun! Enter the Pathways Poker Tour and take a self-guided tour to five of Aransas pathways sites and watch beautiful hummingbird displays while you collect playing cards. Build your best poker hand to compete for prizes. Kids can join in the fun too with their own special adventure! Our youth division inspires the next generation of birders by collecting educational bird cards packed with cool facts about amazing bird species. Young explorers get entered in drawings for prizes. Whether you’re young or young at heart, everyone has a chance to win the ultimate grand prize – a pair of binoculars perfect for your birding adventures! Check-in starts at 10:15 at: Pathways Center - Pavilion and Bridge (Tule West) 2491 Hwy 35 N, Rockport The instructions and scorecard will be given at check-in, which is where you will receive the first playing card. Then you will be given the locations of other sites. The last site will be the History Center for Aransas County for the prize ceremony. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 361-556-5308

  • Up Close with Hummingbirds: Banding Demonstration

    Up Close with Hummingbirds: Banding Demonstration   Sept. 27th 8-10 AM Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary – 4041 Hwy 35 N, Rockport Refreshments provided   Have you ever wanted to see one of the world's smallest birds close up? Well now is your chance! Join Dr. Rebekah Rylander for a hummingbird banding demonstration where she will ethically catch, tag, and release hummingbirds for research and educational purposes. Information collected from hummingbird banding is important for understanding migration movements, hummingbird health, and conservation planning. Activities will be conducted under appropriate federal and state permits by trained professionals.   Rebekah Rylander grew up in central Texas and earned her bachelor’s degree at UT Austin. While attending the university, she took her first ornithology course which inspired her to assist in various bird-related field projects across the globe, including Australia, Ecuador, Hawaii, and Canada. Eventually, Rebekah settled into Texas State University where she earned her Master’s degree and PhD examining social behaviors and population dynamics of the Black-crested Titmouse in San Marcos, Texas. After receiving her doctorate, Rebekah was hired as the Science Coordinator for the Rio Grande Joint Venture, where she has been involved designing and implementing monitoring programs in south and west Texas, assisting with grassland-focused workshops in Mexico, and continuing to build collaborative relationships with other bird-habitat conservation partners within the RGJV geography. Rebekah has assisted and led Victor Emanuel Nature Tours (VENT) birding expeditions in southeast Arizona, established the Christmas Bird Count circle in San Marcos, and has given dozens of presentations on her research and other bird-related topics. Rebekah is also a master bander and holds educational bird banding demonstrations for naturalist groups and at school functions.   Click here to register for the event, registration will close when we reach 25 applicants.  

  • Discover the Story Behind Every Band

    Linda S Castro Sanctuary 4041 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX, United States

    Join Aransas Pathways for Chirp & Chat: Bands of Discovery, a free, family-friendly bird banding event in Rockport, Texas. This special morning blends science, nature, and community in an inspiring outdoor setting. See Dr. Rebekah Rylander and Master Bird Bander Kelly Bryan in action as they show how bird banding helps track migration and protect bird species along the Texas Gulf Coast. You’ll learn how each small band supports research and helps conserve the birds we all enjoy. Ask questions, meet other nature lovers, and discover how science and stewardship come together in our local environment. What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a camera or binoculars, water, and a curious heart for discovery. To learn more or register, visit www.aransaspathways.org.Be part of this meaningful community event—because every band tells a story, and yours begins here.

  • 🎄 Christmas on the Beach & Volunteer Thank You Day

    Rockport Beach 810 Seabreeze Dr, Rockport, TX, United States

    📅 December 27, 2025 (Saturday)⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM📍 Rockport Beach, Texas Join us for a magical evening at Rockport Beach as Aransas Pathways celebrates the heart of our mission — our volunteers, partners, and community stewards who keep the spirit of Birding, History, Kayaking, and Trails alive all year long. This festive gathering is our way of saying thank you for helping Aransas County shine as a premier ecotourism and heritage destination in the Coastal Bend. What to Expect ✨ Cozy beachfront Christmas atmosphere✨ AP volunteer recognition moments✨ Meet the Aransas Pathways team & site stewards✨ Sign-up opportunities for 2026 volunteer programs✨ Light snacks & good community vibes✨ Perfect sunset photo moments along the shore Why This Event Matters Aransas Pathways is built on people — volunteers, partners, and local champions who share their time and heart to sustain our trails, birding sites, kayak launches, and history spaces. This special evening honors YOU — the hands, hearts, and stories behind our shared success. Volunteer Sign-Up & 2026 Opportunities Looking to get involved next year?Stop by our Volunteer Table to explore upcoming opportunities in: Events & outreach Birding programs & citizen science Trail stewardship Kayaking activities Historical and cultural programming 👉 Sign up here:www.AransasPathways.com/volunteer/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=events&utm_campaign=COTB2025

    Free
  • Aransas Bird Days 2026: Pathways Bird banding at Linda Castro Nature Sanctuary

    Linda S Castro Sanctuary 4041 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX, United States

    Live Bird Banding Experience: Science in Action Where: Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary, 4041 Hwy 35 N Bypass, Rockport, TX 78382 Google Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/aar9sa58FBQrR8JZ8 What: Get an up-close look at the fascinating world of bird science during a live bird banding demonstration led by three experienced researchers working along the Texas Gulf Coast: Rebekah Rylander, Kelly Bryan, and guest bird bander Rebecca Bracken of the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. Learn why and how this research is used. No registration required. Bring: a chair , hydration, bug spray, and sun protection Accessibility: This program is located on a flat surface with accessible parking on-site.

  • Pathways Family Birding Event & Craft Time

    Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary 1401 S Church St, Rockport, TX, United States

    Where: Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary 1429 S Church St, Rockport, TX Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7NMHh4NTvG6qXqLk8 What: Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun and educational day celebrating birds and nature at the beautiful Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary. This family-friendly event features a mini bird walk, an introduction to birding for all ages, hands-on nature crafts for youth, and opportunities to learn more about local birds and their habitats. Bring: sun protection, bug spray, hydration Accessibility: This event takes place on an uneven surface. Accessible parking nearby.

  • Aransas Pathways Bird Talk with Dr. Carter Crouch (International Crane Foundation)

    Community Center for Aransas County 302 N Live Oak St, Rockport, TX, United States

    Aransas Pathways invites the community to an evening presentation with Dr. Carter Crouch of the International Crane Foundation. This program will explore the broader themes of bird life and migration, offering insights into the seasonal movements of birds, their ecological significance, and the importance of conservation efforts across regions. Set within the Texas Coastal Bend, this event highlights Aransas County’s role as a vital stopover and habitat for migratory bird species. Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of how local landscapes connect to global migration patterns and conservation initiatives. Event DetailsDate: April 18, 2026Location: Community Center for Aransas County Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7xrYKQMX49Vg52im6 Doors Open: 5:00 PM Program Start: 6:00 PM This presentation is open to the public and is part of the Aransas Bird Days of Spring celebration, welcoming birders, nature enthusiasts, and community members of all backgrounds.

  • Early Bird U-Drive Tour – Aransas Bird Days 2026

    Cove Harbor Bird Sanctuary and Wetland 2531 Hwy 35 S,, Rockport, United States

    In partnership with Aransas First Land Trust Start your morning with the birds. Join us for a self-guided birding experience at Cove Harbor, hosted in partnership with Aransas First Land Trust and Ms. Debbie Griffith. Drive at your own pace and explore coastal birding hotspots while enjoying the quiet beauty of the Texas coast. Date: April 19, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Location: 2590 HWY 35 S, Rockport, TX 78382 First 30 guests to check in will receive a giveaway from Aransas Pathways and partners. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aransas-bird-days-2026-early-bird-u-drive-tour-tickets-1985941731178 Waiver required (must be completed before arrival): https://aransaspathways.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/WaiverReleasePathways-with-emergency-contact.pdf All participants must complete the waiver prior to joining the tour. Birding. History. Kayaking. Trails.

    Free