Ryan Rodriguez Named Gulf Youth Ambassador

Rodriguez’s interest in marine science began at a young age, though opportunities were limited when he lived in San Antonio. After moving to Corpus Christi six years ago, his passion blossomed. His mother’s encouragement to become involved with the Texas Sea Life Center, deepened his passions and provided hands-on experience, increasing his commitment to conversation.

“When I started volunteering at the center, it just became a passion,” Rodriguez said. “I get to be so close to the animals I love—it’s a way of giving back to the community.”

Rodriguez’s project focuses on the Texas Diamondback Terrapin, a species many people are unaware of, despite its importance to the ecosystem. A major threat to the terrapin population is crab traps, which often ensnare the turtles, preventing their escape.

“There was a study at TAMU-CC that worked on minimizing this issue with front plates for crab traps,” Rodriguez said. “It’s interesting, but human intervention is still a big problem.”

With the $700 stipend, Rodriguez plans to invest in research equipment, including nets for filtering plastics in local waters, as he expands the terrapin rehabilitation efforts at the Sea Life Center. He hopes to raise awareness about the species through community education.

“I want people to recognize the terrapin and understand how to handle them safely if they come across one,” Rodriguez said.

The road to becoming a Gulf Youth Ambassador was not without its challenges. Rodriguez initially struggled to settle on a project idea, bouncing between different concepts before focusing on the terrapin recovery project.

“I didn’t touch the proposal until two weeks before the deadline,” Rodriguez said. “But once I locked in my idea, I got great feedback from mentors at the center.”

When he finally received his acceptance email, Rodriguez was both nervous and excited.

“I was sitting at Chick-fil-A on Flour Bluff Drive, freaking out,” Rodriguez said. “I couldn’t believe it—I was screaming!”

Rodriguez’s ultimate goal is to inspire others to take environmental conservation seriously, starting with simple actions like properly disposing of trash.

“People don’t realize the impact of one piece of trash until it’s washed ashore,” Rodriguez said. “I hope other kids will notice how small changes can make a big difference.”

Rodriguez also encourages fellow students to get involved in environmental projects, emphasizing the rewards that come with dedication.

“It’s not glamorous—it can be gross and exhausting,” Rodriguez said. “But seeing an animal you’ve helped return to the water makes it all worth it.”