The Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture is 1,217 acres of upland, tidal flat, marsh, wooded, and estuarine habitats that support diverse plant and animal life. Charlie’s Pasture represents one of the few contiguous tracts of undeveloped land in any coastal plain that has been preserved for environmental, ecological, and historical purposes. Located within the city limits, the Preserve is a safe haven for wildlife that has succumbed to the pressures of habitat loss and development. Migrating and resident shorebirds, waterfowl, and songbirds were a large driving force behind the conservation of this land and thus are valuable to the ecotourism economy of Port Aransas.
The Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture is open with limited access.
Guided Nature Walk, 1st Saturdays 8AM
Free but must pre-register at porta.recdesk.com by 5 pm the Friday before. Meet at the Community Park, 700 Clark Parkway, at 8 a.m.
Guided Nature Walk, 3rd Saturdays 8AM
Free but must pre-register at porta.recdesk.com by 5 pm the Friday before. Meet at the Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture - South. 2630 TX-361. at 8 am.
Clay's Hill Bird Walk with Clay, Every Tuesday at 8 a.m. through March
Free but must pre-register at porta.recdesk.com. Meet at the Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture - North. 1200 Port Street (end of Port Street) at 8 a.m.
Nature Preserve Yoga
Tuesdays at 12:30 pm
Relax and clear your mind at Charlie's Pasture with an hour of yoga. Class is at the Pavilion at the Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture at the end of Port St.
Free, but registration is required at porta.recdesk.com
Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture - North (Port Street Entrance)
The parking area is located at the end of Port St. Amenities at this site include a pavilion, picnic tables, toilets, and trails. Visitors can also walk to this area from the Community Park on Ross Ave. There is a one-mile cement trail to the pavilion and ship channel with 2 gazebos and benches along the way. The Salt Island Trail is closed.
Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture - South (361 Entrance)
Site includes parking area, shaded picnic area, and entrance to the South Trail. The South Trail is approximately 1 mile long. It alternates between boardwalk and decomposed granite trail and about 3/4 of the way down, there is an observation tower overlooking the wetlands of the Nature Preserve at Charlie's Pasture. At the end of the trail, you may continue through another 1/4 mile to the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.
VOLUNTEER
The Port Aransas Nature Preserve would like help from you! If you think you'd like to help please contact Rae Mooney at [email protected].
