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Media Contact: Bob Stokes, President bstokes@galvbay.org 832-536-2253 (Kemah, TX – Oct. 26, 2021) The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) recently acquired 4,714 acres of coastal habitat along Halls Bayou and West Galveston Bay in Brazoria and Galveston Counties, to be named The Chocolate Bay Preserve . The preserve will be forever protected as open space and natural habitat. This acquisition brings the total amount of land conserved by the Galveston Bay Foundation to over 13,000 acres. Natural habitats found onsite include tidal marshes, freshwater and brackish wetlands, and coastal tallgrass prairie. The acquisition was funded by a $10.5 million grant from Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and a $1 million grant from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act. Additional financial support was provided by the Galveston Bay Estuary Program’s (GBEP) Conservation Assistance Program. GBF will preserve this property as part of its mission, but will also place a conservation easement on the property to be held by the Katy Prairie Conservancy. A conservation easement will provide additional legal protection to ensure the property remains conserved forever. “This Preserve represents the largest conservation project ever completed by GBF and we are very proud to have preserved this special property. Natural habitats that occur on the Preserve will ensure availability of critical resources for waterfowl like ducks, geese, and cranes, numerous wading birds, and neotropical migrant songbirds. These habitats also provide essential habitat for recreationally and commercially significant coastal fisheries including fish, crabs, and shrimp. Due to the continued growth of our region, it is more important than ever to conserve large tracts of land like this now to ensure the future health of Galveston Bay.” said Bob Stokes, President of GBF. This project was prioritized for its size, location, and high-quality wildlife and fisheries habitats. The nearly 5,000-acre Preserve is situated only 2 miles from the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, preserving connectivity of similar habitat types. The Preserve also has 13 miles of frontage along coastal waterways, saltwater lakes, and bays, including the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in West Galveston Bay. These marshy shorelines provide nursery habitat for many species of fish, shrimp and crabs that are found in Galveston Bay and help maintain local water quality. Over 1,000 acres of brackish and freshwater wetland habitats found on the Preserve provide refuge for resident and migratory waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and other wetland and water dependent species. The property also contains more than 2,000 acres of native coastal prairie. This prairie contains rare plant communities that have largely disappeared from the Texas Coastal Plain because of agricultural land uses and development. Mary Anne Piacentini, President and CEO of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, states “The protection of the Chocolate Bay Preserve makes a meaningful impact on the preservation of the imperiled coastal prairie ecosystem.  We are excited to work with GBF to ensure this land remains a sanctuary for the many birds and other wildlife that depend on the grasslands and marsh of the Texas coast.” The property is the eastern half of a larger parcel owned by an investment fund of The Lyme Timber Company LP, a conservation-oriented real estate investment manager, and has been managed in cooperation with Eco-Capital Advisors, LLC, an advisory firm with expertise in ecosystem services. Lyme first contacted Galveston Bay Foundation about the property in 2017, and the parties have worked together to complete this transaction. Lyme also expects to convey a conservation easement to Galveston Bay Foundation on the adjacent western half of the parcel at some point in the future to facilitate the establishment of a wetland mitigation bank and the enhancement of the habitat on the adjoining property. ### About the Galveston Bay Foundation Established in 1987, the Galveston Bay Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. It implements diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, youth education, and advocacy. For further information, contact GBF at (281)332-3381, visit www.galvbay.org , like us on Facebook, or follow us on twitter @GBayFoundation Galveston Bay Foundation has conserved more than 13,000 acres of coastal habitat through property acquisitions and conservation easements. GBF continues to actively expand its land conservation efforts within the Galveston Bay Watershed, focusing on protecting a wide range of habitats and land uses including freshwater and estuarine wetlands, tallgrass prairies, coastal forests, and various agricultural lands.  GBF is a member of the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and was accredited by the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission in 2013 and re-accredited in 2019. GBF is also a participating member of the Texas Land Trust Council (TLTC). About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Working with federal, corporate and individual partners, NFWF has funded more than 5,000 organizations and generated a total conservation impact of $6.8 billion. Learn more at www.nfwf.org. About Galveston Bay Estuary Program The mission of the Galveston Bay Estuary Program is to preserve Galveston Bay for generations to come. As a non-regulatory program administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, it is charged with implementing The Galveston Bay Plan - a Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for Galveston Bay. About The Lyme Timber Company LP Founded in 1976, The Lyme Timber Company LP is a private timberland investment manager that focuses on the acquisition and sustainable management of lands with unique conservation values. With over 1.6 million acres under management, the company has followed a disciplined and value-oriented approach to investing in forestland and rural real estate in the US and Canada. Learn more at   www.lymetimber.com. About the Katy Prairie Conservancy The Katy Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to sustaining a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairie, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever. Preserved lands play an important role in flood control, cleaner air and water, outdoor recreation, and wildlife habitat. To learn more about Katy Prairie Conservancy’s conservation efforts, visit katyprairie.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @katyprairie. Photos and Map of Chocolate Bay Preserve: Freshwater and Brackish Marsh Complex at Chocolate Bay Preserve ( Download Photo )         Chocolate Bay Preserve shoreline along coastal waterway ( Download Photo ) Press Release Map Download Press Release PDF

Media Contacts: Claire Everett or Kelsey Seeker 832-536-2259 | 281-627-1708 ceverett@galvbay.org or kseeker@subsidence.org ( Houston, TX – July 21, 2021 ) – Houston-area lawns need irrigation to keep them healthy in the summer, but overwatering contributes to water quality issues and water waste. Overall, lawn watering accounts for approximately 40 percent of residential water usage. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension specialists developed the WaterMyYard tool to promote water conservation and keep local residents’ lawns and wallets greener by providing recommendations on smart lawn irrigation. Using local weather data, WaterMyYard determines the precise amount of supplemental water that is needed to maintain a healthy lawn and delivers recommendations of how long to operate irrigation systems to area residents for free via email, text message, or app notifications. Recommendations are based on the type of irrigation system used and an extensive network of weather stations and rain gauges across the state. Six evapotranspiration weather stations across the Houston-Galveston Area collect data to calculate plant watering requirements, and over 100 Harris County Flood Control District rain gauges provide recent rainfall data for every zip code in the area. Many lawn problems are caused or compounded by overwatering or applying water at the wrong time, but WaterMyYard makes it easy to water the perfect amount, maximizing water conservation and keeping water bills low. Additionally, conserving water helps prevent subsidence, the sinking of land surface caused by groundwater withdrawal, and reduces harmful runoff that can impact water quality throughout the Galveston Bay watershed. By strengthening water conservation practices in the Houston Area, we can help support a healthy environment and reduce threats to Galveston Bay. The program has provided irrigation recommendations for homeowners in North Texas since 2012 and since, has expanded to other areas of the state such as the greater Austin and Houston areas and cities in West Texas, including Lubbock and San Angelo. The WaterMyYard tool is available in the Greater Houston-Galveston Area thanks to a partnership with the Harris Galveston Subsidence District and the Galveston Bay Foundation, with funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Users can sign up online for these free customized watering tips at WaterMyYard.org or download the app from the App Store or Google Play. More information is available at WaterMyYard.org . ### About Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is a unique education agency with a statewide network of professional educators, trained volunteers, and county offices. It reaches into every Texas county to address local priority needs. Some of its major efforts are mitigating drought impacts; conserving water use in homes, landscapes, and production agriculture; improving emergency management; enhancing food security; and protecting human health through education about diet, exercise, and disease prevention and management. About Galveston Bay Foundation Established in 1987, the Galveston Bay Foundation is a conservation non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. It implements diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, STEM education, and advocacy. To learn more, visit galvbay.org or follow @GBayFoundation on Twitter. About Harris-Galveston Subsidence District The Harris-Galveston Subsidence District exists to prevent subsidence, the sinking of land surface caused by groundwater withdrawal, in Harris and Galveston counties.  The District protects the region from the ongoing impacts of subsidence by providing reasonable groundwater regulation based on the best available science. In addition to its Science and Research program, the District also leads multiple Water Conservation education projects, such as SmarterAboutWater.org, to bolster the region’s resiliency by helping existing water resources go further. Visit hgsubsidence.org for more information. Download Graphic Download Graphic                         This project received financial support from the EPA under an Assistance Agreement. Download Press Release PDF

Summers in Texas get so hot, it’s no wonder that people choose to cool off in the water! From swimming and kayaking to sailing and fishing, Houston-Galveston Area residents flock to Galveston Bay frequently to enjoy a variety of water recreation activities. Many of these people reach out to Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) to ask if the water is safe to swim in, and fortunately, we have the answer! The main concern for swimming in any surface water is the presence of bacteria. Enterococcus bacteria are a valuable indicator for determining the presence of fecal contamination in recreational surface waters like Galveston Bay and are more resilient in saltwater than other indicators. These naturally occurring bacteria are found in the guts of birds and mammals, including humans. Exposure to fecal bacteria can cause sickness such as rashes and skin irritation, as well as eye, ear, and respiratory infections. High bacteria levels can lead governmental agencies to issue beach advisories and restrict public access to beaches, bayous, or bays. Additionally, high concentrations of these bacteria and associated pathogens can accumulate in oysters and other shellfish, making them unsafe to eat, especially if eaten raw. Large areas of Galveston Bay are closed for harvesting shellfish for direct consumption due to elevated concentrations of bacteria. GBF’s volunteer Water Monitoring Team collects monthly water quality data, including enterococcus bacteria concentrations, at multiple shoreline locations around the Bay. The most recent fecal bacteria concentrations for each location are recorded on GBF’s Water Quality Data Visualization Portal at waterdata.galvbay.org. These results are also uploaded to Swim Guide at theswimguide.org, which also shows concentrations throughout the United States.  Luckily, bacteria levels in Galveston Bay are usually safe for swimming. Read on to learn more! What causes fecal bacteria to enter Galveston Bay?   There are typically spikes in bacteria concentrations following major rainfall events. This is due to runoff carrying bacteria into the Bay from a variety of land sources, such as failing septic systems, pet waste, and livestock. Luckily, anyone can help to reduce bacteria concentrations in their local watershed in two ways: by reducing sources of pollution at home and by reducing runoff from their property through more efficient lawn irrigation, use of rain barrels, or the installation of green infrastructure. Galveston Bay Foundation provides advice for local residents on how to improve water quality through the Galveston Bay Report Card, at galvbaygrade.org/what-you-can-do/ . Boats with toilets or heads on board also have the potential to contribute to bacteria contamination in Galveston Bay, because even “treated” waste has elevated concentrations of fecal bacteria. This is why it’s illegal to dump untreated waste in the Bay and to dump either treated or untreated waste into Clear Lake. In the Bay Area, there are currently close to 9,000 registered recreational vessels with heads on board and an average of 821 commercial vessel transits taking place per day. That’s the potential for a lot of waste! What factors influence bacteria growth in the environment?    Once these fecal bacteria have entered our waterways, the length of time they can survive can be impacted by several factors. Bacteria are destroyed by the UV rays found in sunlight, so they thrive in cloudy or turbid water. Additionally, sand or mud that has been stirred up by wind, waves, or boater activity can reduce water clarity and directly release bacteria from the soil. Bacteria also grow faster when there is less dissolved oxygen in the water. Low oxygen can occur when temperatures are high or when there is an algal bloom. Algae or plankton blooms are the result of high levels of nutrients in the water. When these blooms occur, much of the oxygen in the water is consumed and the water becomes cloudy. The first evidence of this occurring is often a fish kill, when small fish species die en masse. Perfect conditions for bacteria to grow in! However, the biggest indicator of high bacteria levels is rainfall. Bacteria levels often spike after a storm, due to polluted runoff from our streets, lawns, and infrastructure malfunctions.  Infographic: Impacts on Fecal Bacteria  How do I know if it is safe to swim?   Before jumping into the water, check out the latest water quality report at waterdata.galvbay.org  and the bacteria concentrations at theswimguide.org . Watch out for large amounts of algae floating in the water or dead wildlife in the area. If the water is very cloudy or if it recently stormed, think twice before swimming! Luckily, our bacteria monitoring program has shown that most of the time bacteria levels in Galveston Bay are low enough to be considered safe for swimming. If you are looking for bacteria advisories on the Gulf-Side instead of the Bay-Side, visit the Texas Beach Watch website at cgis.glo.texas.gov/Beachwatch/index.html . What can I do to decrease bacteria in the Bay?   Properly dispose of your used cooking fat, oil, and grease in order to prevent burst sewer pipes. Never let these items go down the drain, but rather throw them away in the trash or locate a recycling facility at  ceasethegrease.net Pump out, don’t dump boater waste | pumpdontdump.org Reduce runoff by using a rain barrel | galvbay.org/rainbarrels Report pollution, including sewer overflows and discolored, smelly water using the Galveston Bay Action Network | galvbay.org/gban Check out other ways to reduce pollution and ensure the health of Galveston Bay at galvbaygrade.org/what-you-can-do/ .

We are excited to offer Marsh Mania as an IN-PERSON event for 2021, so be ready for the wet and muddy marsh grass planting fun! Though Marsh Mania is normally a single-day, large-scale marsh planting event, we will instead be offering several smaller Marsh Mania days in the month of June to spread volunteers out into smaller, safer groups. In 2020, the Galveston Bay Foundation had tremendous success implementing Covid-19 protocol during marsh planting activities. The June Marsh Mania event days are now full but don't worry, Galveston Bay Foundation will host another Marsh Mania event in Fall 2021, so check back for updates here or subscribe to our volunteer email list ! Thank you to Aramco for their generous support of Marsh Mania. Sponsor Marsh Mania Month Marsh Mania is made possible through donations from local corporate donors, all of whom are recognized as Marsh Mania sponsors. In addition to this request for funding, Galveston Bay Foundation invites corporate employees to volunteer their time to help plant marsh grass at any of the designated Marsh Mania sites. Download the 2021 Marsh Mania Sponsor Packet . Contact Greg Loushine at gloushine@galvbay.org for more information on sponsoring Marsh Mania. The History of Marsh Mania: The “Mania” began in 1999, when GBF hosted the first-ever “Marsh Bash” for Galveston Bay. This one-day event set a national record when 1,500 volunteers planted nearly 70,000 stems of smooth cordgrass to create 14.5 acres of new habitat at eight sites around the Bay. Marsh Bash 1999 was a huge success and earned GBF two awards: the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence in the civic/nonprofit category and the First Place Gulf Guardian Award in the civic/nonprofit category from the Gulf of Mexico Program. Also, for breaking the record for the largest volunteer-based restoration event, GBF received a case of Florida oranges from Tampa BayWatch, our sister organization in Florida and the previous record holder! Today, Marsh Mania is the nationally-recognized, signature community-based wetlands restoration and education event of the Galveston Bay area. The goal of Marsh Mania is to involve local citizens in hands-on wetlands restoration activities while increasing their awareness and appreciation of wetland habitats and functions. In its 21 years, Marsh Mania has involved nearly 8,200 community volunteers in the restoration of over 212 acres of vital salt marsh habitat at 97 sites around Galveston Bay. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Marsh Mania. Volunteers proudly identify themselves as “Marsh Maniacs” when they return each spring to participate in this annual event.

Media Contact: Claire Everett 832-536-2259 ceverett@galvbay.org MEDIA ALERT Galveston Bay Foundation Marsh Mania Events Highlight Community Habitat Restoration Efforts Aramco Americas serves as the lead sponsor for Marsh Mania 2021 An anticipated 200 volunteers will plant marsh grass at three sites around the Bay this June as part of Galveston Bay Foundation’s 23 rd annual Marsh Mania event. Marsh Mania is Galveston Bay Foundation’s signature community event that connects participants to the Bay and the importance of wetland habitats in a hands-on, muddy, and fun way. This year, volunteers will transplant smooth cordgrass to the intertidal shorelines of Beach City, TX, Galveston, TX and at Galveston Bay Foundation’s home in Kemah, TX. In its 22 consecutive years, Marsh Mania has involved more than 8,500 community volunteers in the restoration of over 214 acres of vital salt marsh habitat at 99 locations around Galveston Bay. In addition to the large annual Marsh Mania event, Galveston Bay Foundation also hosts smaller marsh grass planting events throughout the year for groups ranging from scout troops to fishing groups and corporate groups. Marsh Mania 2021 is made possible thanks to generous support from Aramco Americas. Additional sponsors and partners of Marsh Mania include United Airlines, Citgo, Transocean, Bass Pro and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Coca Cola Southwest Beverages, John P. McGovern Foundation, Odfjell, NRG Reliant Energy, Port Houston, EXP, Coastal Conservation Association, Houston Wilderness, ERM, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, City of Kemah, US Fish and Wildlife, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. When:   June 4, 5, 12, 18, 19, 22, 23, and 26, 2021 Where:  At sites in Beach City, TX, Galveston, TX and Kemah, TX Interviews and b-roll opportunities at the Kemah, TX site: Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay Foundation President Emily Ford, Galveston Bay Foundation Volunteer Engagement Manager B-roll and photos of marsh grass planting Who:  Please contact Claire Everett at  ceverett@galvbay.org  or call 832-536-2259 for additional details and to arrange any interviews or on-site visits ###

CONTACT: Claire Everett 832-536-2259 ceverett@galvbay.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE About Galveston Bay Foundation Established in 1987, the Galveston Bay Foundation is a conservation non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. It implements diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, STEM education, and advocacy. To learn more, visit galvbay.org or follow @GBayFoundation on Twitter.

Galveston Bay Foundation is thrilled to host our annual Bay Day Festival as a virtual event on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at 11:00am on our Facebook page and this webpage. This one-day event is a celebration that includes engaging virtual exhibits from a variety of environmental organizations and partners. In addition to virtual exhibits,  Galveston Bay Foundation has the below schedule for free lessons to connect you and your family to Galveston Bay. Sign up for Bay Adventure Lessons on Zoom! (FREE) Nature Journaling at 1:00pm Join our educators to learn how to create a simple nature journal along with the skills that will allow you to become more in tune with the world around you. Take the time to start your own journal by engaging in a meaningful prompt given by our educators while experiencing different features of Galveston Bay. Additional prompts will be shared at the end to help further your exploration. Materials needed:   Paper (unlined or lined), pencil and/or colored pencils, binding materials such as a stapler or hole punch & string, option items include light cardboard the size of your paper (ie: from a cereal or cracker box). REGISTER Marsh Exploration at 2:00pm Explore a Galveston Bay marsh virtually and watch educators use a seine net to collect a variety of aquatic animals. Help them identify them using ID guides while learning more about this amazing ecosystem. If you joined during our Nature Journaling adventure, you can use your new journal to describe your experience! Materials needed: Nature journal (optional), a link to our Aquatic Organism ID guide will be given during registration. REGISTER Prairie Exploration at 3:00pm Explore our local prairie habitat virtually to learn more about the plants and insects that call it home. Educators will use a digital microscope to allow viewers to get an up-close and personal look at a variety of organisms. If you joined during our Nature Journaling adventure, you can use your new journal to describe your experience! Materials needed: Nature journal (optional), iNaturalist downloaded on your phone (optional) REGISTER Oyster Exploration at 4:00pm What are oysters and why are they important? During this Zoom Adventure, we will discuss oyster biology and ecology, including watching educators dissect an oyster using a digital microscope to get an even closer look at the anatomy. If you joined during our Nature Journaling adventure, you can use your new journal to describe your experience! Materials needed: Nature journal (optional) REGISTER

For more information or images: Ali Flanders Dodson 713.523.6135 ext. 4012 adodson@katyprairie.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Headwaters to Baywaters: A Story of Urban Resilience Launches May 4, 2021 – Houston, Texas – Story map informs and educates on the importance of riparian corridors and the need to protect them in our region. Bayou Land Conservancy, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Galveston Bay Foundation, Houston Audubon, and Katy Prairie Conservancy announce Headwaters to Baywaters: A Story of Urban Resilience, an interactive website at www.harcresearch.org/H2BRiparian . Shown through beautiful photographs and interactive maps, this website explains the scientific importance of riparian corridors and the organizations’ conservation efforts to preserve them in the Houston-Galveston Region. Riparian corridors are unique areas where land meets freshwater along our area bayous and creeks. They provide benefits to the people and wildlife that live in our area such as clean drinking water, recreation, flood protection, wildlife habitat, and economic growth. Many of these waterways are impaired, and the permanent preservation of land beside them can ensure healthy lands, healthy waters, and healthy communities. The Headwaters to Baywaters story map allows the user to learn about the importance of riparian corridors in the Houston region, explore maps showing the myriad riparian corridors in the area, and take a closer look at the science behind their benefits. The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) provided the scientific analysis and developed the story map for the ongoing study. “Katy Prairie Conservancy is thrilled to see this important work launch,” states Mary Anne Piacentini, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, who leads the multi-year collaboration for the Headwaters to Baywaters Initiative. “The story map is a valuable tool for communicating the importance of protecting riparian corridors and will help us identify priority areas for conservation.” # # # About the Headwaters to Baywaters Initiative The Headwaters to Baywaters Initiative works to connect regional bayous and Galveston Bay through planning to identify high quality, riparian habitats with the potential to contribute to water quality improvements; restoration and enhancement of riparian lands adjacent to targeted priority areas; and acquisition of land and designation of conservation easements on priority areas for riparian corridor protection. It is part of the 8-County Gulf-Houston Regional Conservation Plan (RCP), facilitated by Houston Wilderness. The Headwaters to Baywaters Initiative includes the following partners:   Bayou Land Conservancy has been at the forefront of land preservation in the Houston region for 25 years, with the mission of preserving land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife. For further information visit www.bayoulandconservancy.org.   Buffalo Bayou Partnership is the non-profit organization revitalizing and transforming Buffalo Bayou, Houston's most significant natural resource. For further information visit www.buffalobayou.org.   The Galveston Bay Foundation’s mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. For further information visit www.galvbay.org.   Houston Audubon Society’s mission is to advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments. For further information visit www.houstonaudubon.org.   Katy Prairie Conservancy is a nationally accredited 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to protect coastal prairie, wetlands, and agriculture in southeast Texas for people and wildlife. For further information visit www.katyprairie.org.   About HARC Founded in 1982 by George P. Mitchell, HARC is a nonprofit research hub providing independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers. For further information visit www.HARCresearch.org. Photo caption: Increasing riparian corridor conservation in the Houston-Galveston region will ensure healthy lands, healthy waters, and healthy communities. Photo courtesy of Jill Boullion.

Summer Camp Get ready to explore, imagine, and create during Galveston Bay Foundation’s S ummer  Camp  Opportunities ! Week-Long Adventures Camper s  will explore a variety of ecosystems, participate in hands-on lessons, and learn how they can help the Bay during this 5-day camp.  Camp agenda does include time for lunch  (parent provided) . COVID-19 Safety Procedures and more details  will be sent to registrants prior to camp attendance. Dates: June 14-18, 2021 | Ages 8-10 - Registration is now full for this session. Please email cwilems@galvbay.org if you would like to be added to our waitlist for this session. June 21-25, 2021 | Ages 11-13 Time: 8:30 am-12:30 pm (drop off at 8:15 am) Cost: $150 per week. Participants  will receive a camp  backpack and nature journaling supplies. Location:  1725 Highway 146, Kemah TX 77565 * Registration is only open  for full-week participants. Single-day registration is not available at this time. June 14 - 18, 2021 | Session Full REGISTER June 21 - 25, 2021 15 Campers max Registration deadline: May  28, 2021 Nature Explorations Register  your  camper for  one or more of these  morning camp sessions  that introduce native habitats in a  fun and engaging way. Activities include hands-on explorations,  games, crafts, and more!  Camp agenda does include time for snack (parent provided). C OVID-19 Safety Procedures and more details  will be sent to registrants prior to camp attendance. Ages: 5-7 Dates: June 28, 2021: Pond Exploration June 29, 2021: Prairie Exploration June 30, 2021: Wetland Exploration Time: 8:30 am-1 1 :30 am (drop off at 8:15 am) Cost: $ 30  per  day Location: 1725 Highway 146, Kemah TX 77565 REGISTER June 28, 2021 REGISTER June 29, 2021 REGISTER June 30, 2021 15 Campers max Registration deadline: May 28, 2021

Come Shellabrate With Us! This April, Galveston Bay Foundation is hosting our inaugural Oyster Month. We have several opportunities for you to enjoy some delicious oysters at one of our partner restaurants starting at $50. Sign up for restaurant discounts, cooking classes, VIP tastings, and more. LEARN MORE / PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS!

Media Contact: Claire Everett 832-536-2259 ceverett@galvbay.org (Kemah, TX – February 11, 2021) – Construction is underway to add 73 acres of wetland restoration and shoreline protection in Dollar Bay – Moses Lake. The joint conservation effort between Galveston Bay Foundation and local, state, and federal partners will add 47 marsh grass terraces of intertidal marsh complex to protect and restore an area that has suffered from harmful erosion impacts. The new project is directly adjacent to Galveston Bay Foundation’s recently acquired 106-acre coastal prairie tract which will serve as a buffer for the wetlands. “We are working together to restore marsh in an area that was historically marsh, but became open water because of subsidence and erosion,” said Bob Stokes, president of Galveston Bay Foundation. “Fundamentally, more habitat creates more fish. And we are proud to work with such great partners on the effort.” First, breakwater structures will be constructed to trip waves, halt shoreline erosion, and accrete sediments shoreward of the structures. Next, marsh terraces will be constructed to restore elevations suitable to support estuarine emergent marsh vegetation. And post-construction, project sites will be planted with native marsh vegetation. “This project speaks to the power of partnership in restoring and enhancing our shared coastal bays and estuaries,” said Pat Murray, president of Coastal Conservation Association. “We are excited to be a part of this initiative and look forward to watching this important marsh area flourish again.” This project builds upon years of tried and developed techniques for marsh protection and restoration along the Gulf Coast and within the same project area. Successful and existing erosion response measures already in place in other areas of Moses Lake include a 1,600-foot section of rock breakwater structures constructed in 2002, a 2,400-foot section constructed in 2012, and a 1.3-mile section completed in 2018. Following all three projects, Galveston Bay Foundation volunteers planted smooth cordgrass to reestablish fringing marsh and the organization plans to host marsh grass plantings at the Dollar Bay project as well. Project partners hope to see similar results when this project is complete. The transformative effort is being funded by Galveston Bay Foundation, CCA Texas, Building Conservation Trust, Shell, Ducks Unlimited, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA, and the City of Texas City. ### Download Photo About Galveston Bay Foundation Established in 1987, the Galveston Bay Foundation is a conservation non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. It implements diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, STEM education, and advocacy. To learn more, visit galvbay.org or follow @GBayFoundation on Twitter. Download Press Release (PDF)

Media Contacts: Claire Everett or Carson Sartain 832-536-2259 | 214-335-5836 ceverett@galvbay.org or carson.sartain@TNC.org (Houston, TX – January 27, 2021) – 40 acres of new oyster habitat were recently constructed in the Upper Galveston Bay/Trinity Bay area and it’s the first restoration project of its kind in Galveston Bay. The partnership project between conservation organizations Galveston Bay Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department aims to demonstrate the Bay’s oyster population can be sustainably managed without completely restricting commercial harvest. After a two-year closure to allow oysters to populate the reefs, 25 acres of reef will be open for commercial harvest while the other 15 acres will be preserved as a broodstock sanctuary reef to provide larvae to the harvestable sites, providing a sustainable approach to commercial oyster harvest. “In the past, reefs have been restored either to enhance oyster harvest or to enhance the ecological benefits of oysters and their habitats,” said Bill Rodney, Coastal Ecologist at Texas Parks and Wildlife. “The combination of both concepts in one project is a novel approach that few other states have tried.” Project partners established the sanctuary reef as a larval source reef between the two harvestable sites. The sanctuary reef will function as a larvae factory, delivering high-density larvae clouds to the adjacent harvestable reefs via prevailing tidal currents—which were measured and then modeled by the Texas Water Development Board. This will help the harvestable reefs recover more quickly from the effects of oyster harvest activities. To maintain a high-density population of large oysters on the sanctuary reef, this section was constructed out of larger materials that are resistant to the effects of oyster dredges, another novel aspect of the project’s design. “Oysters are a vital component of a healthy estuary and we are particularly excited that this innovative reef will provide ecosystem service benefits to Galveston Bay and also sustainably support our commercial fishing industry,” said Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay Foundation President. The new oyster habitat in the 40-acre reef complex will help filter coastal waters, enhance water quality, and provide food and shelter for over 300 different species of fish, shrimp and crabs, and other invertebrates. Although oysters provide a wealth of benefits, approximately 50 percent of the oyster reefs in Galveston Bay have been lost due to pressure from commercial fishing combined with extreme weather events, such as Hurricanes Ike and Harvey. Existing efforts through Galveston Bay Foundation’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program , the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Oyster Shell Recovery Fund, and The Nature Conservancy , place hard substrate in the form of recycled shell, limestone, and other natural stone to the Bay to provide much needed oyster habitat. And in this new reef project, over 20,000 tons of limestone were placed on the bay bottom to establish oyster habitat in the southwestern region of Trinity Bay. The Nature Conservancy completed a similar project in Matagorda Bay with RESTORE Act funding in 2014. Today, the reef is teeming with marine wildlife and oysters can be found on 70 percent of the reef’s surface. It has also become a hot spot for anglers and has helped to generate an additional $1.27 million in annual economic activity for the state of Texas through tourism, fishing guide excursions and recreational fishing. The Trinity Bay project team hopes to see similar results in the coming years. “The innovative model we’ve leveraged with this reef restoration is a strategy that’s replicable all over the world because it’s a solution everyone can see themselves in,” said Lauren Williams, Resilient Coast Program Director at The Nature Conservancy in Texas. “Instead of reef-by-reef restoration work moving forward, we can think more broadly about restoring whole bays and estuaries, all while working with fisheries to meet their needs.” Funding for the Galveston Bay Sustainable Oyster Reef Restoration Project was provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund. Texas Water Development Board provided additional support for this project. ### About Galveston Bay Foundation Established in 1987, the Galveston Bay Foundation is a conservation non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. It implements diverse programs in land preservation, habitat restoration, water quality and quantity, STEM education, and advocacy. To learn more, visit galvbay.org or follow @GBayFoundation on Twitter. About The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. In Texas and across the globe, we are conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale while mitigating and adapting to a changing climate. Since 1964, The Nature Conservancy in Texas has protected nearly one million acres of land, established 38 nature preserves and worked with state and federal agencies to create and expand state parks, national parks and wildlife refuges. These protected public lands include Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Caddo Lake State Park, and national wildlife refuges along the Texas Gulf Coast. Our freshwater program has protected more than 200 miles of stream and river habitat. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter. About Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is the State of Texas’ primary agency for the management and conservation of the state’s natural and cultural resources. The agency strives to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations of Texans. While working to achieve this lofty goal, TPWD has been recognized as a national leader in implementing effective natural resources conservation and outdoor recreational programs. The agency’s goals are: To serve the state of Texas, its citizens, and its employees with the highest standards of service, professionalism, fairness, courtesy, and respect; Rely on the best available science to guide our conservation decisions; Responsibly manage agency finances and appropriations to ensure the most efficient and effective use of tax-payer and user fee resources; Attract and retain the best, brightest, and most talented workforce to successfully execute its mission. Since 2007 TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division has restored more than 400 acres of oyster habitat along the upper Texas Coast.   Download Photo Download Photo Download Press Release (PDF)