Document a wind tidal algal flat on the Lower Laguna Madre, site 4, Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site (Texas Historical Commission), 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel, TX 78578 (public state historic site) (2026-07-29)

The Lower Laguna Madre's wind tidal algal flats, which cover more than 40 percent of this hypersaline lagoon's area, have no regular dated photo record at this public vantage to track how wind driven flooding and algal mat coverage change through the year. Standard: NOAA coastal habitat assessment (eelgrass, kelp, and salt marsh extent and condition), applied here to the Lower Laguna Madre hypersaline lagoon system at Port Isabel and Isla Blanca Park, Cameron County, Texas, one of only a few hypersaline lagoon systems on Earth and home to the largest seagrass beds in Texas. SDG 14.2. Proof: document only stand off photo log plus flat extent and mat coverage note plus wind direction record plus GPS Method (NOAA coastal habitat assessment (eelgrass, kelp, and salt marsh extent and condition), applied here to the Lower Laguna Madre hypersaline lagoon system at Port Isabel and Isla Blanca Park, Cameron County, Texas, one of only a few hypersaline lagoon systems on Earth and home to the largest seagrass beds in Texas. SDG 14.2.): 1. 1. From the public park path or boardwalk vantage, photograph a wind tidal algal flat segment of the Lower Laguna Madre without stepping onto the flat. 2. 2. Note the flat's approximate extent, algal mat color and coverage, and any standing water pushed across it by wind tide. 3. 3. Photograph the nearest park sign or landmark for reference. 4. 4. Record the observation date and wind direction, since these flats flood and dry by wind, not by lunar tide. Done when: document only stand off photo log plus flat extent and mat coverage note plus wind direction record plus GPS

Where

Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site (Texas Historical Commission), 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel, TX 78578 (public state historic site)

Pay

$90 proposed

This packet is not funded yet, so this figure is a proposed price and not money waiting in escrow. If a buyer funds it, approved proof settles that price onchain. If nobody funds it, approved proof earns provable credit toward the work instead of cash. You see which before you claim, never after.

Proof

document only stand off photo log plus flat extent and mat coverage note plus wind direction record plus GPS

This is exactly what gets it approved. Nothing settles without it.

Level

entry

Open until

2026-10-28

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it. Typically 60–120 minutes. Method of record: NOAA coastal habitat (eelgrass / salt marsh) extent + condition

Bring

• tide table
• GPS phone
• quadrat frame
• measuring tape
• boots/waders
• camera

Steps

1. 1. Check the tide table; plan to work the low tide; tell someone your plan and return time.
2. 2. Navigate to the habitat edge; record GPS waypoints along the patch/edge.
3. 3. Photograph the meadow/marsh at low tide.
4. 4. Record shoot/stem density per quadrat and estimate patch extent (or edge scarp height for marsh).
5. 5. Note condition (epiphytes, dieback, wrack) and adjacent land use/armoring.
6. 6. Enter density, extent, condition, GPS, photos into the proof record; sign.

If it does not match the plan

• Soft mud / rising tide -> stop and retreat; safety over data.
• Edge retreat or heavy dieback observed -> flag for living-shoreline / protection planning.

What counts as done

• Density (shoots/stems per quadrat) recorded
• Patch extent or edge position recorded via GPS
• Condition + adjacent-use note recorded
• Low-tide photos + GPS waypoints

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.