Growing the Mission: HRI Announces Two Key Program Coordinator Additions
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Through the first months of 2025, the Harte Research Institute (HRI) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) added two key program coordinators that will continue to enhance HRI’s mission and work.
Stephanie DeWaters, Sink Your Shucks™ Program Coordinator
DeWaters ’16 was announced as the Program Coordinator for the Sink Your ShucksTM Oyster Shell Recycling Program in March. A graduate of TAMU-CC and long-time Corpus Christi resident, DeWaters will collaborate with local restaurants and festivals to expand shell collection, facilitate educational outreach with schools, and organize community-based volunteer restoration events to encourage public conservation involvement. The program has two such events coming up on May 3 and May 10. You can register and find more information at SinkYourShucks.org.
Founded in 2009, the Sink Your Shucks™ program is led by the Coastal Conservation and Restoration lab at HRI and was Texas’ first initiative to reclaim oyster shells from restaurants and return them to local coastal waters to provide substrate for new reefs. Since its inception, the program has collected more than three million pounds of oyster shells and restored more than 45 acres of oyster reef habitat.
“I’m excited to join the Harte Research Institute team and build on Sink Your Shucks’ incredible success,” DeWaters said. “By working with local restaurants, schools, and communities, we can expand oyster shell recycling efforts and strengthen our coastal ecosystems right here in the Coastal Bend. I look forward to bringing the community together to make a lasting impact.”
Ashley Bennis, Clean Coast Texas Program Coordinator
Bennis was named coordinator of the Clean Coast Texas initiative in January, as HRI and the Coastal Ecosystem Processes Lab were recently designated as the program’s managing partner. The initiative is part of the Texas General Land Office’s Coastal Management and Coastal Nonpoint Source programs.
As coordinator of the program, Bennis will coordinate with public and private partners to research and develop innovative policies, techniques, and funding mechanisms to help implement low impact development and nature-based solutions for coastal communities. Bennis will also lead the Coastal Bend Alliance for Sustainable Stormwater and engage with stakeholders on topics such as ecosystem services, environmental and development policies, and water quality.
The Clean Coast Texas team consists of scientists, educators, engineers and communications professionals from HRI, the Texas General Land Office, Texas A&M AgriLife’s Community Watershed Partners, Texas Sea Grant, Texas State University’s Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and the Coastal Bend Council of Governments.
“I’m honored to lead the Clean Coast Texas initiative and collaborate with partners to develop sustainable solutions for our coastal communities,” Bennis said. “By integrating research, policy, and stakeholder engagement, we can advance low-impact development and nature-based strategies that improve water quality and resilience along the Texas coast.”