This is our story
Aransas First, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2002 by Lowell Kepp, Curtis Reemsnyder, Anna Reemsnyder, Herb Wisch, Dinah Dyer, Francis Hicks, David Herring, Ray Little, and John Beree. A Land Trust was recognized as a need primarily by people in the Aransas Bird and Nature Club.
The mission is to identify, acquire, and protect sensitive Coastal Bend habitat essential to the nurture of birds, wildlife, and people; to increase public awareness of ecosystems unique to the area through education, access, and participation.
Aransas First has worked diligently with the city, county, non-profits, school systems, universities, TXDOT, and Aransas County Navigation District to gain grants, lease access, acquire properties and conservation easements, and plan for the enhancement of the environment and quality of life.
Aransas First has been in the forefront of conservation, preservation, and acquisition efforts in Aransas County since its founding in 2002 by visionaries who recognized the unique ecosystem that our Coastal Bend environment offers.
Aransas First by the numbers
in aransas county
community partnerships
dedicated board members
aransas woods
Conservation activities
Aransas First Land Trust has been in the forefront of conservation, preservation, and acquisition efforts in Aransas County since its founding in 2002 by visionaries who recognized the unique ecosystem that our Coastal Bend environment offers.
Leased Tule Marsh East
Leased this property in 2004 from the City of Rockport, this became Texas Birding Trail #50. Transferred to Aransas Pathways in 2014.
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Aransas Woods
Aransas First manages this 120 acre property which became Texas Birding Trail #47.
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Live Oak Education Center
Obtained CMP and CBBEP grants for this ACISD property donated by C. Frost for the Live Oak Education Center, trails, and outdoor class rooms.
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Cove Harbor Boardwalk and Wetland
Built the Cove Harbor Boardwalk with a grant on wetlands leased from the Aransas County Navigation District. Damaged during Hurricane Harvey, will be rebuilt by 2020. Repairs covered by FEMA Grants and Aransas First.
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Connie Hagar Sanctuary
Aransas First holds the conservation easement for the bird sanctuary now managed by Aransas Pathways. Prior to this the property was not fully protected from sale or development.
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Aransas County Kayak Launches
Aransas First Land Trust actively participated in the Kayak launch sites that became part of Aransas Pathways.
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Green Corridor Committee
The Green Corridor Committee was a forerunner of Aransas Pathways founded in 2004; transitioned into Aransas Pathways as a venue to promote birding and tourism in 2014. The group surveyed available lands for acquisition.
Woods Beachfront.
Woods Beachfront in Port Aransas is an 8 acre property donated by Ted and Mary Woods to protect the barrier dunes in front of their property in Port Aransas along the Gulf of Mexico.
Myrtle Street Tract
4.8 acres donated by Mary Spencer to preserve a freshwater wetlands and upland on Myrtle St in Rockport.
Our Projects
Learn more about the active projects under Aransas First management
Aransas Woods
FEMA TDM Grant to replace the Aransas Woods Windmill with a solar pump and clear the trails at Aransas Woods.
Cove Harbor Boardwalk
In the process of rebuilding the Boardwalk with a new 700ft extension to the south with 3 covered kiosks using a FEMA Grant. Completion expected by 2020.
Preservation of Critical Lamar Peninsula Habitat
Actively pursuing, in cooperation with Texas Parks and Wildlife, acquiring critical habitat on the Lamar Peninsula funded by a generous donation to Aransas First from a Lamar Resident.