The Texas State Aquarium recently received a $2 million donation from the ExxonMobil Foundation. The money will be used to build the aquarium’s new Wildlife Rescue Center, which is expected to cost $20 million. Current plans include breaking ground on the project a year from now.
Specifically, the money will be set aside for the new center’s interpretive gallery, which is just part of the planned 20,000-square-foot facility. The larger facility will be equipped with high-tech equipment and set up to handle up to 6,000 animals a year. The current facility at 4230 Rincon Road can handle up to 3,000 animals a year.
The new center will be built next to the current Texas State Aquarium facility. The Rincon Channel location is leased from the Port of Corpus Christi. That lease expires in 2021
“The Texas State Aquarium is already doing good work here in the community, and we are glad to help the aquarium continue to do so,” said Jared Young, a spokesman for ExxonMobil.
ExxonMobil and SABIC are partners in building what will be the world’s largest plastics plant in Gregory. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at the plant site on FM 2986 and U.S. 181 on September 12. The $10 billion steam cracker plant is expected to begin operation in 2022.
ExxonMobil has helped fund aquarium projects since 1988.
“The relationship we have had with the aquarium has been a long one,” Young said. “Our donation is the next step to expand our relationship that will help protect the health of our employees, the community, and the environment.”
ExxonMobil donated money to help build the original aquarium building.
“Since their first gift over 30 years ago … ExxonMobil has been a steadfast supporter of our environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation programs,” said Tom Schmid, pPresident and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium. “The focus of the ExxonMobil Foundation’s efforts in education and the environment, including biodiversity and wildlife conservation, are in perfect alignment with our mission. We are grateful for this major gift.”
The Texas State Aquarium is the largest facility of its kind in Texas. It operates an award-winning Center for Excellence in STEM Education and is already one of the state’s most successful wildlife rehabilitation centers. It is one of the few facilities permitted to simultaneously work with marine mammals, sea turtles, shorebirds, and birds of prey.