Programs

  • Program 1 [2020]

    Conservation programs work to preserve, protect, and restore important coastal habitats that provide critical ecosystem services and have suffered loss or degradation. GBF works closely with numerous partners in land acquisition, land stewardship, habitat restoration, and habitat enhancement activities across the Bay. As an accredited land trust, GBF protects natural areas by acquiring real estate and partnering with landowners to establish conservation easements on private lands. Currently, GBF owns or holds conservation easements on 8,288 acres of land around Galveston Bay to ensure it is conserved in perpetuity. In 2020, GBF closed on two new conservation properties. The first, a 106-acre tract of native coastal prairie and wetlands in Galveston County, was acquired through a conservation easement with the new landowner, the City of Texas City. The second is a 79-acre tract of remnant coastal prairie in Brazoria County acquired by fee simple acquisition. In addition, GBF facilitated the acquisition and permanent protection of over 150 acres of land on Follets Island and 962 acres on Matagorda Peninsula, all of which are now held as coastal preserves by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Habitat restoration activities work to ensure healthy habitats for productive and sustainable populations of native species. Projects focus on shoreline protection; wetlands, oyster reef, and bird rookery restoration; and removal of marine debris.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $7.2M

  • Program 2 [2020]

    Education and outreach programs reach thousands of youth and adults each year. The goal of the program is to develop a knowledgeable constituency, ranging from school children to public officials, which recognizes the positive quality-of-life benefits that a healthy Galveston Bay system provides for the Houston-Galveston region. Youth-focused programs aim to cultivate life-long stewards of the Bay through environmental education experiences that nurture exploration and inquisition. Typically offered both in the classroom and on the Bay, many of these programs were adapted as virtual field trips and digital resources for parents and teachers in 2020, in light of restrictions related to the pandemic. Beyond youth education, our public outreach initiatives consist of campaigns and events aimed at increasing the publics awareness of the importance of Galveston Bay. Ongoing campaigns educate targeted segments of the population on various Bay issues of concern. GBF continues to host our annual signature education and outreach events, including the family friendly Bay Day Festival, adapted as a virtual celebration of Galveston Bay in 2020, and the popular Bike Around the Bay bike ride that showcases the natural beauty of Galveston Bay while aiming to raise awareness and encourage area citizens to appreciate and visit the Bay. GBF also offers rain barrel installation workshops and distributes rain barrels to the public.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $627.6K

  • Program 3 [2020]

    Advocacy programs position GBF as the guardian of Galveston Bay. The goal is to encourage and actively seek solutions to conflicts among the diverse users of the Bay. GBF attempts to balance the multiple uses of Galveston Bay so that the long-term interests of the Bay itself are not compromised. Through initiatives such as the Galveston Bay Report Card (released in partnership with the Houston Advanced Research Center), the Galveston Bay Action Network (GBAN) pollution reporting app, and the volunteer Wetland Permit Review Committee, GBF provides tools to enable the public to take positive actions for Galveston Bay.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $341.1K