![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/blkshim.gif) |
![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
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Padre Island National Seashore
Nature & Science
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
![A view north along the fore-island dune ridge. A view north along the fore-island dune ridge.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/pais/naturescience/images/4cgcek6k.jpg) |
NPS photo by Phil Slattery | Padre Island National Seashore near the 10 mile marker. |
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Padre Island National Seashore is the longest section of undeveloped barrier island in the world, protecting rare coastal prairie; a complex, dynamic dune system; and the Laguna Madre, one of the few hypersaline lagoon environments left in the world. The National Seashore and surrounding waters provide important habitat for marine and terrestrial plants and animals, including a number of rare, threatened, and endangered species. Situated along the Central Flyway, Padre Island is a globally important area for over 350 migratory, overwintering, and resident bird species. The National Seashore's remote location also makes it one of the few places where the public can find quiet and solitude relatively near a major urban area and where one can observe the night sky with minimal interference from light pollution. The National Seashore is also one of the few places the public can go to see sea turtle hatchlings being released into the wild.
Are you a scientist, a student doing research, or do you just want to know more about park research and the permiting system? Just follow this link for more information.
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| ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) |
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![Research and Permits Research and Permits](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/PAIS_bahp2i8t_EVER_0uluz7p2_vipapphighlight%5B1%5D.jpg) Learn about Research and Permits link to site more... | | ![Nesting Kemp's ridley Nesting Kemp's ridley](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/PAIS_pj8fel23.gif) Kemp's ridley Information Follow this link to find out about the life of the Kemp's ridley. more... | | ![bird bird](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/PAIS_PAIS_Female-peregrine-in-flight-1.gif) Bird Guide Follow this link for the south Texas bird guide more... | |
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![Nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtle Nesting Kemp's ridley sea turtle](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090506181159im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/PAIS_61kl4yys.gif) |
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Did You Know?
Kemp's ridley sea turtles are both the smallest and the most endangered sea turtles in the world and that they are found primarily in the Gulf of Mexico?
more...
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Last Updated: November 16, 2007 at 12:18 EST |