It’s that time of year again! The Trash Free Gulf Campaign, presented by H-E-B’s Our Texas, Our Future, is back for its second year, with 60+ cleanups happening all around the state this May!
The Trash Free Gulf Campaign unites volunteers across Texas’ watersheds to remove litter from both the Gulf’s coastline and the inland waters that feed it. By cleaning up rivers, streams, bays, and estuaries, we help protect marine life and improve water quality throughout the entire system. Each cleanup reduces pollution, prevents trash from reaching sensitive habitats, and supports the health of our coastal communities.
Volunteers play a critical role in keeping our waters clean and raising awareness about the impacts of litter. Whether you join an existing cleanup or start your own, every effort makes a difference.
To find a cleanup near you, please visit trashfreegulf.com!
Thank you to our sponsors: @heb #OurTexasOurFuture, @yogibins , @texasparkswildlifefoundation , @keeptxbeautiful , and @withmender
A lot of ppl are hitting me up right now about “the wall” because of our film @theriverandthewall I agree that a country without a secure border is vulnerable to many threats. Sovereignty and security are essential. However, a physical wall? As former CIA, US Congressman and Republican Will Hurd talked about in our film, why not utilize technology instead of a physical wall that will destroy nature, cause droughts, drastically impact legal working operations, block migration routes for critically important species AND not even address the major challenges. Mexico is one of the largest trading partners to the US and a wall would have to be built NORTH of the border (into the US) cutting off water access for agriculture. Food prices would skyrocket. MOST people go to the US and stay illegally by airplane. So a wall DOES NOT address that. To wall the entire border could cost more than $45BILLION! As someone who was once an illegal immigrant, I am well informed on this issue. No one WANTS to leave their home country and family. Think about how bad life gets if you are willing to risk death to live illegally somewhere else. Right now we spend around $2billion per year in foreign aid to Latin America which means if we invested more in building them up we decrease the need for Latinos seeking refuge from crime and their own governments. 8 out of the 20 countries where ppl are immigrating to US illegally ARE NOT even in the Americas. Say what you want about the US, people globally are risking life & death to get there, we did. But a wall will not fix anything and will only destroy nature in the process and cost taxpayers BILLIONS. Don’t believe me, go travel 1200 miles by bike, Horse, canoe like we did and let’s chat. #nowall
In 2018, we traveled 1200 miles along the Texas-Mexico Border to document the Rio Grande before the construction of a wall and to show the potential impacts on wildlife, communities, and landowners. We produced a film called “The River and The Wall,” which premiered at SXSW. The journey took several months, traveling by mountain bikes, horses, and canoes.
Since that journey, a wall has been constructed through much of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, most of the stretch between Del Rio and Laredo, and is now being planned for portions of Big Bend. As lovers of wildlife, rivers, and the border, it’s been unbelievably disheartening to see the wall constructed through landscapes we hold dear, especially at a time when immigration numbers are at a fifty year low and technology exists that doesn’t require demolishing the landscape. Although there have been indications that a physical wall won’t be constructed through the State Park and National Park, there’s a lot of uncertainty and contracts have already been awarded to begin construction in some regions.
The Rio Grande is a vibrant wonderful river that unites two countries. It flows through the our largest public lands, and it’s landscapes are quite simply irreplaceable. We did our best to showcase the Rio in the film, but it doesn’t compare to being there in person. If you’ve never been, go! Have lunch in Mexico, paddle the river, stare at the stars, laugh with your friends, and camp in the canyons.
We’re proud to partner with the @contemporaryatx Jones Center to bring you these incredible sessions that center art, photography, and stories told through visual mediums. 🖼️ 🎨 Make sure to stop by during Festival Weekend this Nov. 8–9!
🔗 Build your schedule at Texasbookfestival.org.
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to explore the future of Texas water. Our panel dug into how this precious resource is shaping everything from Central Texas communities to major industries like farming, ranching, and energy. From conservation efforts to groundbreaking public-private partnerships, the conversation highlighted both the urgent challenges and the innovative solutions ahead. A big thank you to our friends at the @wildflowercenter for hosting us and for their partnership on this important conversation.
May 7: "Chasing the Tide" Free Public Program, 6-8 p.m.
Join Texas Science & Natural History Museum for a special free evening program on Wednesday, May 7: “Chasing the Tide” featuring conservationists Jay and Chrissy Kleberg.
Hear about the Klebergs' 370-mile trek across Texas’ barrier islands and what they learned about the rate of change occurring on the coast, its rich diversity of wildlife and what the future holds.
�The evening includes a Q&A, light reception and book signing. RSVP required; register now at link in bio!
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for your beach lover, outdoor enthusiast, or saltwater angler that won’t arrive until after the holidays and only costs $50? You’re in luck! Pre-order the Chasing the Tide book before the end of the year, and we’ll send you a gift certificate, sign your book, and ship it to you in late January 2025.
The Chasing the Tide book is a deep dive into the wildlife and conservation stories showcased in the six-part PBS documentary series. The book, designed by @katybaldock7 and @greenleafbookgr , is filled with stunning imagery from @kaigner , @chrissy_kleberg , and our cinematography team, and illustrations and hand-drawn maps by @emmacschmidt , that help tell the Texas Gulf Coast’s human and natural history. Part adventure chronicle and part photographic journal, Chasing the Tide offers a personal and on-the-ground report of this epic 21-day trek across Texas’ seven barrier islands. Link in bio.
Proud of my father for receiving the National Golden Spur award along with Working Cowboy award recipient Buzz Thorp. Tio continues to lead with integrity, by example, and always on behalf of his “teammates” and family. So many who came before you would be proud of your hard work and dedication.
Excited to announce that this project is near liftoff! Watch the premiere of Episode 1 of @chasingthetideseries on Texas PBS stations starting October 5, 2024. There are so many people and organizations for Chrissy and I to thank, but this project would not have been possible without editor, co-producer, cinematographer, and collaborator @johnny_aldrich .
Happy Birthday, Bird. 45 years on the planet and you’ve made the most of your time. This past year, in particular, has been a fun and oftentimes strenuous one to celebrate with you. Much of it was spent strolling on the beach, so I put together a few choice shots from your time by the sea. @chrissy_kleberg
