Ed Harte

Corpus Christi | Publisher

Publisher of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times from the mid-1950s through 1987, and partner in the Harte-Hanks newspaper management for many years, Mr. Harte was active in habitat protection, drilling regulation, and institutional work. With regard to habitat protection, Mr. Harte made major contributions in two areas: gift of the 57,000-acre North Rosillos Mountains Preserve as an adjunct to the Big Bend National Park, and lobbying for the purchase and protection of Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore. With respect to drilling, Mr. Harte convened a citizens’ group to set limits on offshore oil and gas drilling in Corpus Christi Bay, which became the first municipal regulations of drilling in the country, and a model for future state and federal standards. He also made major contributions to the management of a major American environmental group, the National Audubon Society, where he served on the board from 1964 to ’70 and 1972 to ’79, acting as chair from 1974 to ’79.