The park's Environmental Education program is a member of the Informal Science Educators Association (ISEA) and is designed to introduce classes of school children to the Padre Island environment. The park has informal education lessons designed for each grade and designed to meet Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements. However, lessons can be tailored to the needs of individual groups. The park has lessons for all ages from kindergarten to high school. To find out more, access our enviromental education lesson description booklet by clicking on this link, or contact the park's Education Specialist at (361) 949-8068.

When scheduling programs, please give at least two weeks advance notice. You will need to provide a point of contact for the school (usually the leader of the group coming to the park), the number of students attending, the ages of the students, and whether any members of the group have special needs (wheelchairs, visually-impaired etc.).

Groups coming to the park expressly for environmental education programs do not have to pay an entrance fee. However, a fee waiver must be obtained from the park prior to the group's arrival. To obtain a fee waiver, contact the park's Education Specialist. Fee waivers are granted only to recognized educational institutions. Fee waiver requests must be on the school/institution's letterhead and must be faxed to (361) 949-8023 after scheduling a lesson. Fee waiver requests will need to contain:

• School/Institution Name

• Number of students and adults attending

• Number of vehicles coming to the park

• Expected arrival time and date

• School/Institution point of contact

• Purpose of visit

The park staff can also conduct programs at your school or institution. To find out more, contact the Education Specialist at the number above.

Please note that school teachers are eligible for a 20% discount at the Malaquite Beach bookstore.