Galveston Bay Foundation

THE JONES BAY OYSTERCATCHER HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT (PROJECT) PLANS TO RESTORE UP TO FOUR EXISTING REMNANT ISLANDS AND ADJACENT INTERTIDAL REEFS WHICH WILL SUPPORT AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (HAEMATOPUS PALLIATES) NESTING AND FORAGING IN JONES BAY LOCATED IN GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS. GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (GBF) WILL SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE PROJECT TEAM ALONG WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE (USFWS) GULF RESTORATION OFFICE, USFWS COASTAL PROGRAM, AND OTHER PARTNERS. THIS PROJECT WAS ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED UTILIZING FUNDS FROM USFWS COASTAL PROGRAM AND DUCKS UNLIMITED. THIS PROJECT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED USING FUNDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT (NRDA), IN COMBINATION WITH FUNDS PROVIDED BY PHILLIPS 66. ADDITIONAL PROJECT FUNDING IS BEING PROVIDED THROUGH THE COASTAL EROSION PLANNING AND RESPONSE ACT, THE GULF OF MEXICO ENERGY SECURITY ACT, AND THE TEXAS CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYS GALVESTON BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM. GBF SERVICES WILL INCLUDE SUBRECIPIENT AWARDS TO IMPLEMENT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ISLAND AND INTERTIDAL RESTORATION WITH THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF RESTORING UP TO 1 ACRE OF ISLAND NESTING HABITAT AND UP TO 1.5 ACRES OF INTERTIDAL REEF TO SUPPORT FORAGING NEEDS, AS WELL AS INSTALLING PROTECTIVE FEATURES TO PREVENT EROSION. EACH SITE INVOLVES THE RESTORATION OF A REMNANT ISLAND, NOW PREDOMINANTLY SUBMERGED, TO CREATE AREAS OF HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND ALLOW FOR SUCCESSFUL NESTING. ADJACENT TO EACH RESTORED ISLAND, GBF PLANS TO RESTORE AND OR ENHANCE INTERTIDAL REEF TO PROVIDE NEARBY FORAGING HABITAT FOR NESTING OYSTERCATCHERS AND THEIR YOUNG. AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF POST-CONSTRUCTION MONITORING WILL DETERMINE IF THE RESTORED ISLANDS AND REEFS ARE BEING UTILIZED BY NESTING OYSTERCATCHERS AND HOW WELL THE RESTORED ISLANDS SERVE TO INCREASE OYSTERCATCHER NESTING SUCCESS. WITH LIMITED EXISTING INFORMATION ON DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR IDEAL OYSTERCATCHER NESTING HABITAT, THE MONITORING RESULTS WILL HELP DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES FOR FUTURE NESTING ISLAND RESTORATION.

GALVESTON BAY COASTAL HABITAT PROJECT

THE PROJECT PROPOSAL PURPOSE IS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT 5,369 ACRES OF COASTAL HABITAT, REPRESENTING A MIX OF COASTAL PRAIRIE, COASTAL BARRIER ISLAND, COASTAL MARSH, UPLANDS, SHALLOW FRESHWATER DEPRESSIONS, AND BEACH/DUNE HABITAT LOCATED IN 3 SEPARATE TRACTS IN BRAZORIA (TRACT 1 AND TRACT 2) AND CALHOUN COUNTIES (TRACT 3) IN THE TEXAS MID-COAST.

FUNDS UNDER THIS AWARD ARE TO BE USED TO PROTECT THROUGH FEE-ACQUISITION, 478 ACRES OF COASTAL WETLANDS IN TEXAS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT 478 ACRES OF COASTAL BARRIER ISLAND HABITAT CONSISTING PRIMARILY OF SALT AND FRESHWATER WETLANDS AND TALL GRASS NATIVE PRAIRIE ON FOLLETS ISLAND TO BENEFIT MIGRATORY BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE.

- NA24NOSX999C0006-T1-01 GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (GBF), IN COLLABORATION WITH OSPREY INITIATIVE, LLC (OSPREY), WILL INSTALL UP TO THREE LITER BOOMS IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WILL BE CONDUCTED AT EACH LOCATION UP TO TWICE A MONTH, WITH INITIAL MAINTENANCE FOR THE DEVICES CONDUCTED PRIMARILY BY OSPREY. DURING THIS PROJECT, GBF WILL ESTABLISH A NEW CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAM TO AID IN THE REMOVAL OF TRASH AND CATALOGING OF MATERIAL COLLECTED. ADDITIONALLY, GBF WILL WORK WITH OSPREY TO PROCURE AND DEPLOY TRASH TRAPS IN HOUSTON WATERWAYS. PRIOR TO INSTALLATION, GBF WILL COORDINATE COMMUNITY CLEANUP EVENTS, WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL PARTNERS, TO REMOVE ANY LEGACY DEBRIS FROM THE SELECTED TRASH TRAP LOCATIONS AS NEEDED. IT IS ESTIMATED THIS PROJECT WILL REMOVE UP TO 1,500 POUNDS OF DEBRIS PER YEAR PER SITE AND ENGAGE UP TO 250 VOLUNTEERS IN REMOVAL EFFORTS. LOCAL UNDERSERVED SCHOOLS WILL ALSO BE ENGAGED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS TO ASSIST WITH DEBRIS REMOVAL AND CATALOGING. THROUGHOUT THIS PROJECT, GBF WILL COORDINATE WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA, ESPECIALLY THOSE ACTIVE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. GBF WILL IMPLEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND OUTREACH TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF LITTER AND TRASH ISSUES, ENCOURAGE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES, AND PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE HOUSTON AND GALVESTON BAY REGION. TARGETED SOCIAL MEDIA, WEB-BASED OUTREACH, AND ON-THE-GROUND ENGAGEMENT WILL BE CONDUCTED TO HIGHLIGHT PROJECT EFFORTS, FINDINGS, AND WAYS INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MINIMIZE WASTE AND DISCUSS POLLUTION PREVENTION ACTIONS.

GORDY MARSH LAND ACQUISITION PROJECT

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000 TO THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (GBF). THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO ENHANCE LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION IN PRIORITY LANDSCAPES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. THIS PROJECT WILL RESTORE HABITAT THROUGH THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND REPLANTING OF NATIVE SPECIES. A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS WILL BE CONDUCTED OF THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS RESULTING FROM CONSERVATION THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES ARE 800 ACRES THAT WILL UNDERGO HABITAT MANAGEMENT OR RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ON GBF'S CONSERVATION LANDS AND DUE DILIGENCE FOR THREE LAND ACQUISITION EFFORTS WITHIN THE GALVESTON BAY WATERSHED. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES NEAR GALVESTON BAY IN COASTAL TEXAS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM ENHANCED LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION. THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUB-AWARD FUNDS.

THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000 FOR GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION PROJECT. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE OUTREACH EFFORTS TO EDUCATE CIT

THIS ACTION PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $296,530 FOR THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION TO STRENGTHEN CLIMATE RESILIENCY IN THE HOUSTON AREA BY FURTHERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER MY YARD PROGRAM, AN EXISTING WEB PROGRAM THAT OFFERS OUTDOOR WATERING RECOMMENDATIONS TO HOUSTON AREA RESIDENTS. THIS PROJECT WILL ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF WATER FLOW THROUGH LOCAL RIVERS, WHICH IN TURN, SECURES ADEQUATE LEVELS OF FRESHWATER INFLOWS TO GALVESTON BAY THAT SUPPORT A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND REDUCE THREATS TO THE MARINE SPECIES IN THE BAY.

DURING THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL IN 2010, APPROXIMATELY 3.19 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL WAS RELEASED INTO THE OCEAN, SPREADING FROM TEXAS TO FLORIDA. UNDER NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT IN RESPONSE, BP AGREED TO COMPENSATE THE PUBLIC FOR INJURIES TO NATURAL RESOURCES BY CONTRIBUTING TO A RESTORATION FUND AS AGREED TO BY STATE AND FEDERAL TRUSTEES. AS SUCH, THE TEXAS TRUSTEE IMPLEMENTATION GROUP (TEXAS TIG) BECAME RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTORING NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR SERVICES THAT WERE INJURED BY THE OIL SPILL WITHIN THE TEXAS RESTORATION AREA. RESTORATION ACTIVITIES WERE DESIGNED TO RESTORE OR REPLACE HABITATS, SPECIES, AND SERVICES TO THEIR BASELINE CONDITION. JONES BAY OYSTERCATCHER HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED AS A SELECTED PROJECT IN THE TEXAS RESTORATION PLAN #2 (2022) AS A PREFERRED PROJECT. THE JONES BAY OYSTERCATCHER HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT (UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS OF JUNE 2025) WILL RESTORE UP TO FOUR EXISTING REMNANT ISLANDS AND ADJACENT INTERTIDAL REEFS WHICH WILL SUPPORT AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER (HAEMATOPUS PALLIATES) NESTING AND FORAGING IN JONES BAY LOCATED IN GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS. GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION (GBF) SERVES AS A MEMBER OF THE PROJECT TEAM ALONG WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE (USFWS) GULF RESTORATION OFFICE, USFWS COASTAL PROGRAM, AND OTHER PARTNERS. THIS PROPOSAL WILL SUPPORT THE DATA COLLECTION AND REPORTING ASPECT OF THE MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPED FOR THE JONES BAY OYSTERCATCHER HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT.

OYSTER LAKE RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT

IN THE SPRING OF 2002, A GROUP OF AGENCY, ADVOCACY, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS MET TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HABITAT LOSS IN DICKINSON BAY AND TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL TO RESTORE THREE LOST ISLANDS. HISTORICALLY, AND BEFORE SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDENCE AND EROSION OCCURRED, THE ISLANDS SUPPORTED NESTING BIRD SPECIES, INCLUDING LEAST TERN, GULL-BILLED TERN, ROYAL TERN, BLACK SKIMMER, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, AND CASPIAN TERN, AS WELL AS INTERTIDAL MARSH HABITAT. THE FIRST ISLAND (DICKINSON BAY BIRD ISLAND I) WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 2005, AND CONSISTS OF A 5-ACRE, HORSESHOE-SHAPED CLAY ISLAND PROTECTED WITH RIP-RAP WITH MARSH MOUNDS IN THE INTERIOR PLUS A 2-ACRE OYSTER REEF ADJACENT TO THE ISLAND. IN 2011, THE COASTAL PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION, RESTORE AMERICA'S ESTUARIES - NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, AND GALVESTON BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, FUNDED THE BATHYMETRIC STUDIES, THE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING PROPOSAL AND U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PERMITS NEEDED TO CONSTRUCT DICKINSON BAY ISLAND II. CONSTRUCTION OF DICKINSON BAY ISLAND II WAS FUNDED THROUGH DEEPWATER HORIZON NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUNDS. THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT SEVERAL TASKS IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT TO ESTABLISH VEGETATION AND TO ASSESS THE BIOLOGICAL OUTCOME OF THE PROJECT. THESE TASKS INCORPORATE STRATEGIC HABITAT CONSERVATION, I.E. MONITORING PROJECT PERFORMANCE, AND ALSO INCLUDES IMPLEMENTING VEGETATION RESTORATION ACTIONS. A VEGETATION PLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED COOPERATIVELY WITH U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE TO CREATE NESTING HABITAT FOR DIFFERENT GUILDS. GIVEN THE LENGTH OF TIME REQUIRED FOR BIRD NESTING ISLANDS TO MATURE, THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A 5-YEAR MONITORING PLAN TO DOCUMENT ISLAND STABILITY BIRD USE AND VEGETATION COVER. THE RESULTS OF THIS MONITORING EFFORT WILL INFORM BIRD NESTING ISLAND DESIGN AND RESTORATION ACTIONS FOR OTHER PARTS OF THE TEXAS COAST.

IN THE SPRING OF 2002, A GROUP OF AGENCY, ADVOCACY, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS MET TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HABITAT LOSS IN DICKINSON BAY AND TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL TO RESTORE THREE LOST ISLANDS HISTORICALLY, AND BEFORE SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDENCE AND EROSION OCCURRED, THE ISLANDS SUPPORTED NESTING BIRD SPECIES, INCLUDING LEAST TERN, GULL BILLED TERN, ROYAL TERN, BLACK SKIMMER, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, AND CASPIAN TERN, AS WELL AS INTERTIDAL MARSH HABITAT THE FIRST ISLAND, DICKINSON BAY BIRD ISLAND I DBI , WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 2005, AND CONSISTS OF A 5 ACRE, HORSESHOE SHAPED CLAY ISLAND PROTECTED WITH A RIP RAP REVETMENT WITH MARSH MOUNDS IN THE INTERIOR PLUS A 2 ACRE OYSTER REEF ADJACENT TO THE ISLAND SINCE CONSTRUCTION, DBI HAS BEEN SURVEYED ANNUALLY AS PART OF THE TEXAS COLONIAL WATERBIRD SURVEYS CURRENTLY, THE SITE PROVIDES ROOKERY HABITAT FOR A VARIETY OF SPECIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BROWN PELICAN, AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER, CATTLE EGRET, ROSEATE SPOONBILL, TRI COLORED HERON, SNOWY EGRET, GREAT BLUE HERON, GREAT EGRET, WHITE IBIS, CASPIAN, ROYAL, FORSTER S TERNS, NEOTROPICAL CORMORANT, AND LAUGHING GULL SINCE CONSTRUCTION, DBI HAS WEATHERED SEVERAL TROPICAL WEATHER EVENTS INCLUDING HURRICANES IKE 2008 , HURRICANE HARVEY 2017 , LAURA 2020 NICHOLAS 2021 AND TROPICAL STORMS IMELDA 2019 AND BETA 2020 THE WEATHER EVENTS OCCURRING IN 2020 AND 2021 LAURA, NICHOLAS, BETA ALL MADE LANDFALL EAST OF THE GALVESTON BAY COMPLEX AND THE NORTH, NORTHEAST WIND DRIVEN WAVES RESULTING FROM THESE STORMS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO DBI DBI HAS A LARGE FETCH TO THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND ALLOWING THE STORM GENERATED WAVE ENERGY TO BUILD PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE ISLAND THE RESULT IS THE EASTERN LEVEE OF THE ISLAND S HORSESHOE SHAPE, EXPERIENCED EROSION, LOSS OF VEGETATION, LOSS OF ELEVATION, AND PORTIONS OF THE RIP RAP REVETMENT WERE DAMAGED OR WASHED OVER THE LEVEE AND NO LONGER PROVIDE PROTECTION ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE ISLAND THIS DAMAGE, IF NOT REPAIRED, COULD LEAVE DBI MORE VULNERABLE TO FUTURE STORMS AND HIGH WAVE ENERGY EVENTS CONTINUED EROSION AND LOSS OF ELEVATION COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE LOSS OF CRITICAL ROOKERY HABITAT IN THE GALVESTON BAY REGION THE PROJECT WILL COLLECT DATA ON THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE ISLAND AND FURTHER STABILIZE THE ISLAND, PRIMARILY THE EASTERN LEVEE, BY ADDING MATERIAL AND OR ADDITIONAL RIP RAP REVETMENT MEASURE MAY ALSO BE TAKEN TO REMOVE UNDESIRED VEGETATION AND PLANT MORE DESIRABLE VEGETATION FOR APPROPRIATE COLONIAL WATERBIRD NESTING HABITAT

WEST BAY GALVESTON LIVING SHORELINES AND HABITAT RESTORATION

TEXAS COASTAL NORTHERN PINTAIL INITIATIVE, TX

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING TO GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROJECT, WHICH WILL DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRACTICES, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES, THAT WILL SERVE TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND ENCOURAGE BEHAVIOR THAT WILL BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT IN KEMAH, TX. THE RECIPIENT WILL DO THIS BY CREATING A FOCUS GROUP OF TEACHERS, GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION EDUCATORS, AND PROJECT PARTNERS THAT WILL ADAPT ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE RESOURCES TO THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM AND CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES; THAT WILL CREATE A MENU OF ACTIVITIES FOR FIELD TRIPS; AND THAT WILL PLAN RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO IMPLEMENT AT THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION EDUCATION CENTER. TEACHERS WILL PILOT THE ACTIVITIES AT THE EDUCATION CENTER AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK. THE PROJECT WILL CULMINATE WITH A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS.ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN KEMAH, TEXAS, AND PROVIDE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED DURING THIS PROJECT PERIOD INCLUDE: CREATION OF A FOCUS GROUP OF TEACHERS, GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION EDUCATORS, AND PROJECT PARTNERS; ADAPTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE RESOURCES TO THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM AND CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES; CREATION OF A MENU OF ACTIVITIES FOR FIELD TRIPS; DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO IMPLEMENT AT THE EDUCATION CENTER; COMPLETION OF A PILOT OF THE EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AT THE EDUCATION CENTER; AND COMPLETION OF A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS.SUBRECIPIENT:GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION WILL PROVIDE A SUBAWARD TO UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE TO CONSULT ON THE FOCUS GROUP, ATTEND MEETINGS, PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE RESOURCES TO TEACHERS, AND FACILITATE DISCUSSION ON FIELD TRIP ACTIVITIES. GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION WILL PROVIDE A SUBAWARD TO RICE UNIVERSITY TO CONSULT ON THE FOCUS GROUP, ATTEND MEETINGS, AND RECRUIT TEACHERS FOR THE FOCUS GROUP AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP. GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION WILL PROVIDE THREE SUBAWARDS TO ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS NOT YET IDENTIFIED WHO WILL PROVIDE FIELD TRIP ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION TO THE PROJECT, ASSIST WITH TEACHER TRAVEL TO CONFERENCES, AND PROVIDE CLASSROOM SUPPLIES.OUTCOMES:IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING DELIVERABLES: FOCUS GROUP CREATED; ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CURRICULUM ADAPTED FOR THE LOCAL AREA; FIELD TRIPS CONDUCTED; STUDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOPED; PILOT OF EDUCATION ACTIVITIES WITH STUDENTS COMPLETED; ONE TEACHER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP COMPLETED; AND ONE TEACHER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP OR CONFERENCE PRESENTATION COMPLETED. EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE IMPROVED STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS THE GALVESTON BAY ECOSYSTEM, AN INCREASE IN STUDENT SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM SOLVING, AND AN INCREASE IN RELEVANT FIELD SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TEACHERS WITHIN THE HOUSTON, TEXAS REGION. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FORMAL AND NONFORMAL EDUCATORS WITHIN THIRTY MILES OF KEMAH, TEXAS.

NOAA V-WET: VIRTUAL WATERSHED EDUCATION AND TRAINING

BAY BIODIVERSITY: A MULTI-GRADE LEVEL PROJECT USING MINI-HABITATS AND IMMERSIVE WATERSHED EXPERIENCES TO EXPLORE GALVESTON BAY'S BIODIVERSITY

TURTLE BAYOU HABITAT RESTORATION IN CHAMBERS COUNTY

MOSES LAKE SHORELINE WETLAND RESTORATION

GET HIP TO HABITAT PROGRAM: PROVIDING MEANINGFUL WATERSHED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOLS WITHIN THE GALVESTON BAY WATE

THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SERVICES IN ORDER TO CONSTRUCT A LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT ALONG A SOON TO BE ACQUIRED CONSERVATION EASEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 420 ACRES ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF EAST BAY.

GBF ECO CENTER PLANT PROPAGATION

CHAMBERS COUNTY HABITAT WETLAND AND REEF RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

THE ROBUST PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, RAPID GROWTH OF SUBURBAN POPULATIONS, AGRICULTURE, AND OTHER HUMAN INFLUENCES IN THE GREATER HOUSTON REGION HAVE PLACED INCREDIBLE STRESS ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE GALVESTON BAY ESTUARINE SYSTEM. THE ECOSYSTEM LOST MORE THAN 35,000 ACRES OF COASTAL WETLANDS SINCE THE 1950S TO SUBSIDENCE AND SHORELINE DEVELOPMENT. ADDITIONALLY, COASTAL PRAIRIE LANDSCAPES AND BOTTOMLAND HARDWOOD FORESTS HAVE BEEN ALTERED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES AND THE REMAINING HIGH-QUALITY HABITAT IS AT HIGH RISK FOR CONVERSION. LAND CONSERVATION PROVIDES ECOLOGICAL STABILITY IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING LANDSCAPE, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES FOR COASTAL COMMUNITIES, AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO LOCAL ECONOMIES.THE GALVESTON BAY PLAN IDENTIFIES HABITAT LOSS AS ONE OF THE GREATEST THREATS TO THE HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GALVESTON BAY. CONSEQUENTLY, THE GALVESTON BAY PLAN IDENTIFIES HABITAT PROTECTION AS A PRIORITY ACTION FOR THE WATERSHED. LAND CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO PERPETUALLY PROTECT WETLANDS AND OTHER IMPORTANT COASTAL HABITATS WILL HELP ENSURE THE LONG-TERM HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GALVESTON BAY. IN RESPONSE TO THESE IDENTIFIED PRIORITIES, THE GALVESTON BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM (GBEP) PARTNERED WITH GBF TO ESTABLISH AND FUND THE CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CAP). THE CAP IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES IN LAND CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN THE GALVESTON BAY WATERSHED AND BUILD CAPACITY WITHIN REGIONAL LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS.AS A RESULT OF STRONG LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS AND COORDINATION, THE CAP HAS IDENTIFIED LAND PROTECTION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE REGION AND CONVENED A CONSERVATION WORKGROUP OF REGIONAL LAND CONSERVATION PARTNERS. THIS PROPOSED GRANT WILL UTILIZE THE EXISTING CAP WORKGROUP FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT LOCAL LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS BY FUNDING DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES FOR ONGOING LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS. COASTAL PROGRAM FUNDING FROM THIS GRANT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATING LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS AT CAP WORKGROUP MEETINGS. CONSENSUS FROM WORKGROUP PARTNERS WILL ENSURE THE FUNDS ARE UTILIZED TO SUPPORT REGIONAL LAND ACQUISITION PRIORITIES.CONTRACTUAL FUNDS FROM THIS GRANT WILL BE DEDICATED TO CONTRACTING WITH QUALIFIED SERVICE PROVIDERS TO COMPLETE DUE DILIGENCE ACTIVITIES RELATED TO LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS WITHIN THE GALVESTON BAY WATERSHED. GBF WILL RELY ON CAP WORKGROUP CONSENSUS TO ALLOCATE FUNDING TO APPROVED ACTIVE PROJECTS. DUE DILIGENCE TASKS FUNDED UNDER THIS GRANT WILL PRODUCE A TANGIBLE PRODUCT, SUCH AS A PROPERTY BOUNDARY SURVEY, APPRAISAL, PHASE 1 ESA, OR OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO COMPLETE THE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION. FUNDING WILL NOT BE USED TO PAY FOR STAFF TIME, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, OR CLOSING COSTS. COSTS FOR THESE SERVICES WILL VARY WIDELY DEPENDING ON THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT.

FUNDS UNDER THIS AWARD ARE TO BE USED TO ASSIST GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE TASKS ASSOCIATED WITH LAND CONSERVATION GOALS FOR FOLLETS ISLAND.

THIS PROJECT IS TO PRESERVE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE WATER QUALITY OF GALVESTON BAY BY EXECUTING A BOTTOM-UP APPROACH THAT IS FOUNDED ON BUILDING REL

GBF-LAND STEWARDSHIP AND ENHANCEMENT

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION-OYSTER LAKE PHASE III

OYSTER SHELL RECYCLING PROGRAM

GORDY MARSH SHORELINE PROTECTION AND WETLANDS RESTORATION PROJECT

KEMAH LIVING SHORELINE PROJECT

THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION IS A NONPROFIT, INCORPORATED COMMUNITY BASED GROUP WHO USE THE TAG FUNDS TO HIRE AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL ADVISOR (TA).

BURNET BAY II WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECT

SWEETWATER LAKE SHORELINE PROTECTION AND OYSTER REEF ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION-JONES BAY OYSTER REEF

BRAZILIAN PEPPER

GALVESTON BAY HABITAT ENHANCEMENT THROUGH MARINE DEBRIS REMOVAL

DUE DILIGENCE FOR LAND CONSERVATION GALVESTON BAY WATERSHED

THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION OPERATES A NATIVE PLANT NURSERY THAT IS USED TO SUPPORT RESTORATION NEEDS ON CONSERVATION LANDS AROUND GALVESTON BAY. PLANTS ARE GROWN AT THE FACILITY KNOWN AS THE ECOCENTER, THEN TRANSPLANTED BY THE COMMUNITY TO ENHANCE OR CREATE NATIVE HABITAT COVER FOR WILDLIFE. FUNDING FOR THIS FACILITY WILL FACILITATE THE PROCESSES OF COLLECTING SEED, GROWING PLANTS, AND TRANSPLANTING HEALTHY NATIVE VEGETATION ON CONSERVATION LANDS BY VOLUNTEERS AND OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

ABSTRACT- HABITAT MANAGEMENT TECHNICIANSTHE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION IS AN ACCREDITED LAND TRUST THAT HAS PROTECTED MORE THAN 15,000 ACRES OFCONSERVATION LANDS IN 4 COUNTIES: GALVESTON, HARRIS, BRAZORIA, AND CHAMBERS. GBF PLANS TO HIRE TWOSEASONAL TECHNICIANS OVER A 14-WEEK TERM IN 2023. THE TECH WILL FOCUS ON HABITAT MANAGEMENT,MONITORING, AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES ON GBFS PRESERVES THROUGHOUT THE GALVESTON BAY WATERSHED. AS ACONDITION OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT AT GBF, THE TECHNICIANS WILL UNDERGO TRAINING RELATED TO DATA COLLECTION,HABITAT MAPPING, HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLANNING, NATIVE AND INVASIVE FLORA AND FAUNA IDENTIFICATION ANDMANAGEMENT, GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT, SMALL AND LARGE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT OPERATION MAINTENANCE,AND VARIOUS OTHER TASKS AS NEEDS ARE IDENTIFIED.

GALVESTON BAY HUMMOCK PARTNERS PROJECT

BAY HARBOR COLONIAL WATERBIRD ROOKERY ISLAND GALVESTON COUNTY

GBF-WETLAND PLANTING

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION MOSES LAKE AND DOLLAR BAY

SUPPORT THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF INVASIVE WOODY SPECIES 201819J812

GET HIP TO HABITAT IS A SCHOOL-BASED COASTAL WETLANDS NURSERY PROGRAM FOR GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION'S EDUCATION AND RESTORATION INITIATIVES. THE PROG

20181AJ818 RESTORATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF MUD LAKE

20181AG912 PROFESSIONAL FACILITATOR FOR BBAS

TO ESTABLISH DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EDUATIONAL AND OUTREACH PURPOSES FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE.

TEXAS CITY PRESERVE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT