Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has announced that 14 coastal counties will receive $84.6 million for improvement projects aimed at protecting communities and wildlife habitats.
The funding comes through two state programs focused on coastal management and erosion prevention. The spending represents a significant boost for Texas coastal communities facing environmental challenges from erosion to habitat loss.
Projects range from beach nourishment and dune restoration to land acquisition and water quality management.
“As someone who spent more than a decade living on the Texas coast, ensuring our communities, wildlife, and their habitats are safe and thriving is of utmost importance,” Buckingham said during check presentations in Corpus Christi and Brownsville. “I am honored to bring this much-needed funding to our coastal communities for these beneficial projects.”
The funding is split between two programs.
The Coastal Management Program (CMP) draws from federal NOAA grants and Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act funds. The Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act (CEPRA) program uses state legislative appropriations and hotel occupancy tax revenue. Both require matching funds from local partners.
Recipients include major institutions like Texas A&M University and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Smaller communities from Rockport to South Padre Island also secured grants.
CMP projects focus on preserving coastal habitat through land purchases and invasive species removal. They also work to improve beach access and manage coastal water quality.
CEPRA initiatives target erosion concerns directly. These include shoreline stabilization, habitat restoration, and erosion investigations.
The next funding cycle for coastal management grants opens on March 1, 2026. Communities must wait until March 2027 for the next erosion prevention opportunity. CMP will host a series of grant workshops to help attendees develop a viable work project concept.
Buckingham added that the GLO aims to ensure “our Texas coast will continue to thrive and remain resilient for generations to come.” The commissioner, who made history in 2022 as Texas’ first female Land Commissioner, has prioritized coastal protection alongside disaster recovery and border security.
