Captain Billy Sandifer was a renowned conservationist and environmentalist based in Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi, Texas. He was adopted and raised by his grandparents on a 368-acre farm southwest of Agua Dulce, Texas, where he learned the value of hard work from a young age. His early life was marked by labor-intensive work, including picking cotton in the fields alongside migrant workers. Sandifer served in Vietnam in 1966, 1967, 1969, and 1970, where he was exposed to Agent Orange, leading to several health issues in his later years.

Carole Allen grew up in Illinois and developed a fascination with turtles at a young age. She collected turtle items and married a geologist, moving to Houston. In the early 1980s, she became involved with sea turtle conservation after learning about the National Marine Fisheries Service's hatchling program in Galveston. She joined the HEART (Hatchling Emergency Assurance and Release Team) project, which aimed to raise awareness and funds for sea turtle conservation.

Cliff Webb is a native of South Texas, born in Port Lavaca Hospital. His father was a game warden, and his family moved to Corpus Christi in 1962 when Webb was around five years old. His father was tasked with protecting the bay systems, specifically Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre, from illegal commercial fishing activities. Webb grew up witnessing his father's efforts to protect the bay systems from illegal netters and commercial fishermen, which sparked his interest in the local marine life and fishing.

Cookie Cooper is a seasoned fisherman with a rich history of fishing experiences across the United States. Born into an Air Force family, Cooper lived in various locations before settling in Texas in 1966 during the Vietnam War. His early life was marked by a love for fishing, which began with catching perch in a creek near his childhood home using safety pins, string, and a stick. Cooper's fishing journey took a significant turn when his family moved to Texas. Initially, he engaged in bass fishing in the lakes around San Antonio, a passion he pursued for about fourteen years.

Dr. Dara Orbach is a marine mammal biologist with a unique journey into the field. Unlike many of her peers who knew from a young age that they wanted to work with marine mammals, Dr. Orbach's path was more indirect and driven by her love for the coastal lifestyle. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where she fell in love with the coastal way of life.

Dr. David McKee is a seasoned marine biologist with a rich history of involvement in the field. Born and raised in Sinton, Texas, Dr. McKee spent his early years with a keen interest in nature, often found with a BB gun in one hand and a fishing rod in the other. His passion for the outdoors was nurtured by his family, particularly his uncles and grandfather, who were avid hunters and fishermen. Dr. McKee's academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in biology from Texas A&M-Kingsville (formerly A&I).

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.

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].