Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond
Joan & Scott Holt Paradise Pond Recovery Plan
- 75% of the site was covered in invasive Brazilian pepper tree and Chinese tallow trees.
- Hurricane Harvey's strong winds and surge of salt water killed many of the native black willow treses.
- Remove invasive trees and vegetation.
- Restore tree canopy and under-story around perimeter of pond.
- Replant native plants to increase the biodiversity of the site and provide a variety of nutritious food sources for birds.
Dedicated in 2002, the Joan and Scott Holt Paradise Pond is a 2-acre habitat that provides an excellent example of public/private collaboration. A group of birders who won the Great Texas Birding Classic designated the prize money for the purchase of land located behind a local motel. Several donations of land, additional grants and other funding sources helped to complete the project that birders from across the country now enjoy.
Paradise Pond is a stop on the spring migratory route for smaller warblers and other songbirds, while many feathered friends call the pond home all year long. The wheelchair accessible boardwalk and 3 observation decks provide easy access to get "up close and personal" with the birds under a mantle of trees.
There is a sitting area at the entrance for watching butterflies, dragonflies and birds, along with information about the flowers and the butterflies that the flowers attract.
Private donations of land, foundation funds and teamwork helped make Paradise Pond part of the Birding Trail of Texas. Visitors flock from across the country for a sitting here.
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]
Colleen Simpson
Parks & Recreation Director
Phone: 361-749-4158
Kristina Stevens
Community Program Coordinator
Phone: 361-749-4158
Ken Yarbrough
Recreation Program Coordinator
Phone: 361-749-4158
Joey Farah
Surf Rescue Manager
Phone: 361-244-6459
Camerson Ainsworth
Head Beach Lifeguard
Phone: 361-749-4815
Derik Boles
Head Beach Lifeguard
Phone: 361-749-4815
Adam Johnson
Pool Manager
Phone: 361-749-2416
Christina Wren
Assistant Pool Manager
Phone: 361-749-2416
David Lown
Supervisor
Phone: 361-749-4158
Rae Mooney
Nature Preserve Manager
Phone: 361-749-0081
Justin Quintanilla
Natural Resource Specialist
Phone: 361-749-0081