🎄 Christmas on the Beach & Volunteer Thank You Day
📅 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
December in Aransas County — Where Community Shines Brightest
December in Aransas County is more than a calendar full of events — it’s a living reminder of our resilience, togetherness, and small-town charm. From shoreline lights to historic streets, every corner of Rockport–Fulton shines with community spirit all month long. December has arrived, and with it comes a season of celebrations across Rockport–Fulton and Aransas County. Our partners have lined up a full month of events that reflect who we are as a community — resilient, welcoming, and grounded in the spirit of togetherness. From Tropical Christmas and Christmas on the Beach, to historic home tours, art walks, concerts, markets, and holiday nights in the District — every corner of our county is alive with small-town charm and big-hearted energy. It’s a reminder that after everything this community has weathered, especially since Hurricane Harvey, Aransas County continues to rise with strength, creativity, and purpose. These festivities are more than events — they are proof of our shared resilience, our deep community roots, and the warmth that draws visitors, Winter Texans, and sojourners back year after year. As Aransas Pathways, we are grateful to stand alongside our partners in celebrating what makes this county extraordinary. And through our own Christmas on the Beach Volunteer Appreciation Night we want to kick off the month by inviting everyone to explore, support, and participate in the many holiday events happening throughout December. Every gathering, every stroll, every shared moment helps strengthen our community spirit — and that is the heart of our advocacy. Become Part of the Pathways Story If you believe in what we do, and if you want to be part of the small-but-mighty movement that keeps our trails, kayak sites, birding spots, and heritage venues thriving, we invite you to join us as a volunteer. Be part of the Pathways story. Become a Steward or Ambassador this season. Sign Up as a Volunteer: https://aransaspathways.com/volunteer-december Aransas Pathways Birding. History. Kayaking. Trails.One County, Countless Adventures. Photo Courtesy of Rockport-Fulton Chamber & Rockport Cultural Arts District
History Center Grand Opening: Artifacts: The Key to History
Join us for the grand opening of our special Artifact Exhibit, where history comes to life in Aransas County! Explore a unique collection of artifacts that tell the stories of our heritage, chronologically from Native Americans to local historical treasures. The Grand Opening will be presented with a talk from Debbie Griffith, “Shell Middens”.
History Center for Aransas County
801 E Cedar St, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) The History Center for Aransas County showcases local heritage. Outdoor and indoor exhibits tell the stories of the real people of Aransas County. The Center provides space for displays, workshops, meetings and gatherings. The Bruhl-Paul-Johnson house is a Queen Anne-Victorian cottage that was a popular style in the late 1800s. The house has had many owners including A.L. Bruhl, early 1900s pharmacist and Rockport mayor; Simon Paul, businessman; and Chester Johnson who salvaged and moved the house from Wood and Laurel Streets in 1978 to make way for a bank parking lot. Friends of the History Center is a membership and non-profit (501c3) organization that manages the exhibits and programs. History Organizations in Aransas County
Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary
4041 Hwy 35 N., Rockport, TX 78382 (map below) This 4 1/2 acres contain 3 distinct habitats…a live oak motte, a remnant of a coastal prairie, and an ephemeral pond. A coastal Live Oak forest is special because of the native shrubs and plants that makeup the understory. This plant community, together with the Live Oaks, is called an oak motte. Oak mottes are valuable stopover habitats for migrating songbirds. This coastal prairie consists of native grasses and wildflowers. Coastal prairies provide food and shelter for many different varieties of wildlife. The plants mature in the fall and produce colorful seed heads. Standing on the slab and looking down the hill is an ephemeral pond. An ephemeral pond can be without water for a long period depending on the weather cycle. They are distinctive wetlands devoid of fish. This allows the safe development of amphibians and insects unable to withstand predation from fish. It is a Texas native plant garden. This site is a recognized Butterfly Waystation. Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall. Similarly, without nectar from flowers these fall migratory monarch butterflies would be unable to make their long journey to overwintering grounds in Mexico. The need for host plants for larvae and energy sources for adults applies to all monarch and butterfly populations around the world. For more information visit – Monarch Waystation Program Check out our plant inventory at Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary
Pathways Center – Pavilion & Bridge (Tule West)
2491 Hwy 35 N., Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) The pavilion, called “Pathways Center ” is the principal information center for all of the Aransas Pathways projects. These include: Birding, History, Kayaking, and Hiking and Biking Trails. “Pathways Center” houses informational kiosks with interpretive signage explaining each Aransas Pathway project, with an open space for meetings and events. There is also a deck for relaxing and observing Tule Creek and the adjoining Shellcrete Birding and Nature site. Also known as Tule Creek West. The bridge connects the North and South sides of Tule Creek and the nature site. This facility functions as the trailhead for Pathways Eco-tourism projects in the Aransas County. Pathways Center is located on the west side of Highway 35 N and the intersection of Tule Creek. This is at the traffic light for the north entrance into Walmart. This land was leased from the City of Rockport and will serve as a birding site but will also be the information center for the Project. It includes a wooden bridge crossing Tule Creek linking the parking lot at the head of the City Hike and Bike trail to Shellcrete Historic Site and Birding Site. There is an open air pavilion with informative, interpretive signage describing the Aransas Pathways project for use by tourists and visitors. This pavilion has an excellent view of the creek and is expected to attract birders and photographers. It is also useful as a spot to stage local events and educational activities for our residents.
Hwy 188 Bridge
2820 SH 188 Taft, TX 78390 27.99898 -97.16908 (see map) The kayak launch site at Port Bay on Highway 188 is a convenient spot for paddlers to begin their adventure on the water. Located at the northern end of the 188 bridge over Port Bay just North West of Rockport, the launch site offers easy access to local waters of the bay, which are perfect for kayaking. The launch area is maintained by Aransas Pathways and features a gravel shoreline that makes it easy for kayakers to launch their boats. There are ample parking spaces available near the launch site, making it convenient for visitors to park their vehicles and transport their kayaks to the water’s edge. Wade fishing is also available on the North side of the bay. Kayakers can explore the calm waters of Port Bay, which is home to a variety of saltwater fish. Overall, the kayak launch site at Port Bay on Highway 188 is an excellent spot for paddlers of all levels to begin their adventure on the water.
Swan Lake
1250 Copano Retreat Rd, Taft, TX 78390 (see map) Swan Lake Kayak launch site is a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts, located on Copano Retreat Road in Taft, TX. Copano Retreat Road is located off of TX Highway 188, 4 miles Northwest of 35 Bypass Rockport, TX. The launch site provides access to the North East area of Port Bay, which is a shallow saltwater body of water surrounded by marshlands. The launch site features ample parking space for vehicles and trailers. There is a 50 yard hard surface path from the parking lot to the water. In addition to kayaking and canoeing, Swan Lake also offers excellent opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. Visitors can expect to see a variety of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. Overall, Swan Lake Kayak launch site on Copano Retreat Road is a great destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty of the Texas coast while enjoying outdoor recreational activities.
Shellcrete Birding and Nature Site
28°03’02.4″N 97°02’31.3″W (see map) 2550 Hwy 35 N, Rockport, TX 78382 Spring Species – Scarlet and Summer Tanagers, Blue Grosbeak, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo and Painted Buntings, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, 27 species of Wood Warbler including Ovenbird, Prothonotary and Canada Warblers, Brown-crested and Great-crested Flycatchers, Solitary Sandpiper. Fall and Winter Species – American Goldfinch, Lincoln’s, Swamp, and chipping Sparrows, Orange-crowned Warbler, Pine Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo. Shellcrete Birding Site Location – Shellcrete is located on Hwy 35 next to Tule Creek. This is an 11 acre wooded birding site. Tule Creek runs beside the woods. Use the parking lot at the Aransas Pathways Center – Pavilion & Bridge site (Tule West) and walk the bridge or sidewalk to access Shellcrete Birding and Nature site.
Port Bay Road
490 Port Bay Club Rd, Rockport, TX 78382 (see map) PORT BAY ROAD This site is located at the north west end of Port Bay road off of Farm to Market Road 1069. It is an existing public access site to this part of Port Bay. Most of Port Bay Road is a fair weather access road and is subject to rutting in rainy weather. This area of Port Bay is known as a good winter fishing area.