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|  TPWD News Release 20061113d                                            |
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[ Media Contact: Aaron Reed, (512) 389-8046, aaron.reed@tpwd.state.tx.us ] [AR]
Nov. 13, 2006
Coastal Expos Set for Killeen, Kingsville, Victoria, Valley
KILLEEN, Texas -- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host five upcoming Coastal Expos for the public, starting with events in Killeen Nov. 10-11 and Kingsville Nov. 16-18. Similar expos will take place Feb. 3 in Victoria, Feb. 10 in Harlingen and Feb. 22-24 in Edinburg.
Coastal Expos are free and open to the general public, although if they're part of a larger event that event may charge admission.
The Killeen expo will take place at the Special Events Center on Friday, Nov. 10, and Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Another expo will take place on Nov. 16-18 in conjunction with the South Texas Wildlife & Birding Festival in Kingsville at the First United Methodist Church Community Life Center.
Coastal Expos are fun, family-oriented events where visitors interact with live crabs, fish, and other coastal animals while learning about freshwater inflows, coastal conservation issues and beach habitats.
Activities include touch tanks with a wide variety of live coastal animals such as sea urchins, sea squirts, crabs, and other sea life. At the glass-bottom stream, visitors will learn about animals' natural habitats and how bugs can indicate pollution levels in water.
Participants will also have an opportunity to solve a mysterious fish kill, paint images of coastal fish, identify beach objects by touch, and learn about fishing, boating safety, and other coastal issues through a variety of fun and educational devices.
Other Coastal Expos for next year include:
--February 3 in conjunction with Man to Man Family Outdoor Expo in Victoria.
--February 10 in conjunction with Ocelot Festival in Harlingen.
--February 22-24 in conjunction with Fiesta Edinburg in Edinburg.
For more information or to volunteer for any of these events contact Kris Shipman at (512) 912-7037 or Kris.Shipman@tpwd.state.tx.us. No previous experience is necessary. Volunteers can be taught everything needed at the event.
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