370 miles, 15 passes, seven islands, 21 days. That was the adventure husband-and-wife duo Jay and Chrissy Kleberg set out on in October 2023. Joined by an Emmy Award-winning production team, the pair walked every inch of the Texas coastline, from the Louisana border to the Rio Grande. Local pitstops on the couple’s journey included San José Island, Mustang Island and the Padre Island National Seashore. The result? An inspiring six-part documentary series, Chasing the Tide.
The Klebergs are well-versed in this field. Jay currently serves as the Executive Director of the Gulf of Mexico Trust and formerly held the role of Associate Director at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Krissy, a former wildlife field biologist and photographer, has conducted avian research and reintroduction projects with the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Florida and The Peregrine Fund.
With a relationship rooted in adventure and a passion for conservation, both Jay and Chrissy explored nearly all of Texas’ 10 ecoregions. However, the Texas Gulf Coast was one they had hardly experienced.
“We decided walking would be the best way to immerse ourselves and to cover 370 miles of beaches, islands and peninsulas and cross fifteen passes, river mouths and ship channels,” shared Jay, co-host, co-director and co-producer of the series, and a Kingsville native.
The Texas coastline, one of the most biologically diverse in North America, is home to natural marvels such as the world’s longest barrier island—Padre Island, which stretches 113 miles down the southern Texas coast. It is also a critical habitat for billions of migratory birds and serves as a nursery for the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the ancestral home of the Karankawa peoples. However, it also experiences some of the nation’s highest rates of coastal erosion and sea level rise. These variables led the Klebergs to quickly realize a simple fact: Texans are resilient.
“Texas’ coastal region embodies what the state is and aspires to be–breathtaking and gritty, storied and inspiring, expansive and eclectic–and it’s rapidly changing,” said Chrissy, c0-host, co-director and co-producer. “While the Texas coast may have one of the longest coastlines in the country, it’s the people and the smallest of things that make it so special.”
Chasing the Tide follows the Klebergs up the coast as they explore how rising sea levels and temperatures impact coastal communities; how the nation’s largest energy capital and leading carbon emitter is on the frontier of climate change impacts and how scientists and community leaders are spearheading efforts to fortify the coast. Some of these efforts are taking place right here in the Coastal Bend, including the restoration of the world’s most endangered sea turtles—Kemp’s ridley sea turtles—and protecting the nation’s last remaining wild oyster reefs.
As part of the series, several local researchers, business owners and residents were interviewed, including Chuck Naiser with Flatsworthy, Dr. Jennifer Pollack and Jace Tunnell with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (HRI), chef and restaurateur Adam Gonzalez and members of Karankawa Kadla from Corpus Christi and other parts of the coast. Each shared stories of change, strength and the delicate balance between economic growth and protecting the wildlife that call this coast home.
“[The Klebergs’] journey highlights multiple individuals and key conservation measures, including those from HRI, that are dedicated to preserving the sustainability of the Texas coast while also balancing the economic needs of the communities that live on it,” said Greg Stunz, the Executive Director of HRI. “It is an inspiring journey that shows the beauty of Texas, how the coast we hold so dear is changing and what we can do to sustain it.”
In addition to the documentary, the experience led to the creation of new educational resources and an upcoming book detailing the adventure, insights discovered along the way and the making of the documentary series.
The series premiere of Chasing the Tide is set for Oct. 5, as part of Texas PBS’ Made in Texas film series. All six 30-minute episodes will be available for free on the PBS app starting on Oct. 7th.
Chasing the Tide invites the public to a free screening on Fri., Nov. 15, 2024 at the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Performing Arts Center.
Time: Doors open at 5 p.m., with episodes beginning at 5:30 p.m. Q&A from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
