The Wetlands Education Center occupies 3.5 acres between the Marine Science Education Center and the South Jetty. It is a marsh/seagrass pond landscaped and planted with various seagrasses and appropriate coastal vegetation nourished by water from the Aransas Pass Ship Channel. The public is invited to stroll the surrounding boardwalk to observe migratory waterfowl and resident marsh birds. Interior board walks with access limited to guided tour groups. Visitors to the Wetlands Education Center – known as Windows to the Sea – will gain an understanding and appreciation for the role each facet of a wetland plays in supporting and maintaining the productivity of the coastal zone. Preservation of coastal wetlands and estuaries is vital to the health of area bays and the Gulf of Mexico. The grasses and shallow waters dissipate storm surges and prevent erosion, acting as natural buffers between land and sea. Educating school children and visitors about the importance of wetlands to both nature and man is the objective of the Wetlands Education Center.
