Dr. David McKee is a biologist with a deep-rooted history in fishing, hunting, and outdoor activities, primarily in South Texas. Raised by his grandparents and mother, he was taught to fish, hunt, shoot, braid leather, sharpen knives, and train dogs by his grandfather, a long-serving South Texas sheriff. His upbringing was deeply influenced by his family's connection to the outdoors and law enforcement, which included unique experiences such as training bloodhounds to track prisoners for exercise. Dr.

Captain David Rowsey is a seasoned fisherman and real estate appraiser known for his passion for saltwater fishing, particularly for trophy trout. Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, he was raised by a family of fishermen and developed a love for fishing from a young age. After his mother's divorce, he moved to Natchez, Mississippi, and later to Hunt, Texas, where he continued to nurture his love for fishing. Rowsey's first taste of saltwater fishing in high school marked a turning point in his life, shifting his interest from freshwater bass fishing to saltwater fishing.

Dennis Burk is a former volunteer at the Texas State Aquarium and a passionate environmentalist with a diverse background. Born and raised in the Midwest, specifically Wisconsin, Burk developed an early interest in water sports due to the abundance of lakes in his home state. His love for water led him to move to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1979, where he worked as a service advisor at Tradewinds Ford. Burk's adventurous spirit led him to sell all his possessions and embark on a six-and-a-half-month cycling trip around Europe with a Canadian nurse he met in Corpus Christi.

Dr. Donna Shaver is a renowned wildlife biologist who has dedicated her career to the preservation of endangered species, with a particular focus on Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. She grew up in upstate New York, where her early interest in wildlife biology was influenced by her grandfather's love for nature and his saltwater aquariums. Dr. Shaver attended Corcoran High School and later pursued her undergraduate studies at Cornell University, where she majored in traditional wildlife biology. However, her passion always lay in the recovery efforts of threatened and endangered species.

Ed Bradley is a former marine biologist who worked with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Bradley's early life was marked by frequent moves due to his mother's work as a waitress. His interest in marine biology was sparked by a high school counselor in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he spent most of his childhood and attended college at the University of Corpus Christi. Bradley's career took a turn when he accepted a job as a newspaper distributor, a position he held for about nine years. During this time, he met his wife, Sue, through a mutual friend.

This is an oral history interview of Elena Crawford interviewed by Justin Bucholtz. Elena discusses her experience with Hurricane Harvey in 2017; the harrowing return to her home after evacuation; the struggle of recovery after disaster; and the recovery of the town and people of Port Aransas, Texas.

Emilie Payne is a dedicated birder, conservationist, and former Audubon warden based in Texas. She moved from San Antonio to Corpus Christi in 1960, bringing with her a copy of the Roger Tory Peterson Field Guide to Birds. Her passion for birding was ignited in 1961 when she and her daughter attended a bird walk in Blucher Park, where they experienced a fallout, a day when the park was filled with a variety of birds. Payne's interest in birding quickly grew into a lifelong commitment. She and her daughter joined the Audubon Outdoor Club and participated in the Christmas bird count].

Dr. Jennifer Beseres Pollack is a marine biologist and the Chair for Coastal Conservation and Restoration at the Harte Research Institute. She was born in Minnesota and grew up surrounded by lakes, which sparked her interest in nature and ecology. She pursued her undergraduate degree in environmental science at Northwestern University, where she carved out a niche for herself within ecology. Dr. Pollack gained a variety of experiences through internships, including one in marine science that solidified her love for the field.

Jim Blackburn is an environmental lawyer with a rich background in environmental law and advocacy. Raised in South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, Blackburn developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors from a young age, learning to hunt and fish in both South Texas and Central Louisiana. He attended the University of Texas for his undergraduate and law school education, during which he discovered his passion for environmental law.

Joe Trungale is an environmental engineer with a focus on water issues. Born in Chicago, Trungale moved around the Midwest and East Coast before settling in Dallas for high school. After high school, he attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he earned an English degree. Following his undergraduate studies, Trungale spent time traveling and volunteering in Latin America, specifically in Nicaragua, where he worked on water issues.