Galveston Bay Foundation Volunteers Restore 1.37 Acres of Coastal Habitat During 2026 Marsh Mania

HOUSTON, TEXAS – During National Estuaries Week, Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) brought together 136 volunteers and 21 Team Captains for its annual Marsh Mania habitat restoration event. Across six days of volunteer action, participants prepared and planted approximately 7,100 native plants, restored 1.37 acres of coastal habitat, and contributed more than 421 volunteer hours throughout the Galveston Bay watershed.

Marsh Mania is a community-driven restoration effort that brings together volunteers, corporate teams, students, and community partners to restore the diverse habitats that support a healthy and resilient Galveston Bay—including freshwater wetlands and coastal prairies that provide habitat for wildlife, improve water quality, and help protect communities from flooding.

The 2026 Marsh Mania season began before volunteers ever stepped into the field. From May through August, more than 95 volunteers contributed over 250 hours propagating and caring for the native plants used throughout the restoration events.

During Marsh Mania week, volunteers put those plants to work across four restoration sites:

• Paul Hopkins Park: 31 volunteers restored 0.37 acres of freshwater habitat along Dickinson Bayou by planting approximately 2,200 smooth cordgrass.

• The Gessner Center in Kemah: Volunteers restored 0.25 acres of coastal tallgrass prairie with approximately 400 native plants. At a second planting, 12 Port Houston volunteers restored another 0.25 acres of freshwater habitat with approximately 1,500 native aquatic plants.

• Exploration Green: 69 volunteers restored 0.5 acres by planting approximately 3,000 native freshwater plants. GBF helps maintain a conservation easement at Exploration Green, where restored wetlands provide important habitat and help manage stormwater and flooding.

• GBF Nursery: Seven community volunteers harvested, sorted, and organized approximately 3,000 native plants for use in restoration projects.

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“Marsh Mania shows what’s possible when the community puts their hands to work for Galveston Bay,” said Volunteer Manager Elisa O’Neal. “Our volunteers planted thousands of native plants, but what they really set in motion is restoration that protects the Bay. Those roots will hold soil, filter water, and create habitat long after the event ends. We’re incredibly grateful to every volunteer, Team Captain, partner, and sponsor who showed up and got their hands dirty for Marsh Mania. Their action today, protects the Bay tomorrow."

The restoration work also brought together corporate teams, community members, and students. GBF extends special appreciation to this years sponsors, many of whom support Marsh Mania every year: CITGO, Aramco, Del Papa Distributing, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund, Port Houston, John P. McGovern Foundation, Odfjell, DDG, Houston Pilots

GCA, and Del Papa Distributing Company for their support and participation.

Marsh Mania would not be possible without the dedication of the volunteers who helped grow, prepare, plant, and care for thousands of native plants throughout the season. Together, their efforts are helping restore the wetlands and prairies that make Galveston Bay a healthier, more resilient place for people and wildlife.

2026 Marsh Mania by the numbers:

• 136 volunteers

• 21 Team Captains

• 421.07 volunteer hours

• 1.37 acres of habitat restored

• Approximately 7,100 native plants prepared and planted

• More than 95 additional volunteers contributed over 250 hours to propagate plants for the restoration projects from May through August

Galveston Bay Foundation thanks every volunteer, Team Captain, partner, sponsor, teacher, student, and community member who helped make Marsh Mania 2026 possible. Their hands-on work is helping create a healthier Galveston Bay for generations to come.

About Galveston Bay Foundation

Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) is dedicated to preserving and protecting Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. Since 1987, GBF has worked to protect and improve the Bay through habitat restoration, water protection, land conservation, education, advocacy, and research. Learn more at www.galvbay.org.

Media Contact

Kimberly Meza | kmeza@galvbay.org | 281-923-3278