W i n t e r 2 0 1 4i n t h i s i s s u e :

A l s o I n s i d e :

or more than 27 years, the Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) has been working with all users

of Galveston Bay to protect, preserve, and enhance this valuable natural resource. The support provided by these groups, including local industry, has allowed GBF to make great strides largely through habitat restoration and conservation work. These focus areas are at the core of our initiatives and are what many people know about the foundation. However, they may not realize the large volunteer coordination effort that is required to execute the array of other environmental initiatives that GBF leads.

One of the significant efforts that the foundation has been tasked with is managing the volunteer operations for oil spills in Galveston Bay, which was first implemented this past March in response to the Texas City “Y” Oil Spill that released nearly 170,000 gallons of oil into Galveston Bay. The

foundation, working with the Central Texas Coastal Area Committee (CTCAC) and under the terms of a pre-existing agreement with the Coast Guard and the General Land Office, developed what is known as the Sentinel Program—the first oil spill response volunteer program of its kind in the United States. It was organized around the idea of utilizing a single

online sign-up process where contact information for potential volunteers was collected and could easily be accessed at any time for mobilization. Through this program, GBF mobilized a total of 220 volunteers from a pool of nearly 1,000 concerned citizens who had quickly signed up on the CTCAC website to help in the days following the spill.

These eager volunteers worked in groups to act as the eyes of the clean-up operation by safely surveying over 100 miles of the Galveston beachfront for 17 days in search of oil residue and impacted wildlife. Volunteers documented their sightings and provided

GBF Leads Area’s Oil Spill Response Volunteer Effort

F

Continued on pg. 7

Marine Debris Removal Program Update

Letter From Our President

Volunteer Spotlight on Skyler Carey

Seafood Consumption Advisory Update

GBF Launches FACE Volunteer Program

2014 Guardian of Bay Awards Luncheon

Leaving a Legacy of Conservation

Storm Drain Stewards Program

GBF Awarded NOAA B-WET Grant

Bay Day Festival 2014

Comings and Goings

Marsh Mania 2014

San Jacinto River Waste Pits Update

Ladies Casting for Conservation Fishing

Tournament

1

4

4

5

6

6

7

7

9

9

10

10

13

Father and Son Share Unique Conservation Legacy

1000+ Participate in 2014 Bike Around the Bay

GBF Rain Barrel Program: Saving Water and the Environment

PAGE 3 PAGE 8 PAGE 12PAGE 11

“THE MISSION OF THE GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION IS TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE GALVESTON BAY ESTUARINE SYSTEM AND ITS TRIBUTARIES FOR PRESENT USERS AND FOR POSTERITY.“

This arrangement that we have with the Galveston Bay Foundation [led to] the first and to the best of my knowledge, the only, successful activation of [an oil spill response] volunteer effort on this scale - ever.

-Capt. Penoyer of the U.S. Coast Guard

Someone asked me recently why I do what I do for a living, essentially why I work for the Galveston Bay Foundation. There are many contributing reasons, but most of them stem from growing up and spending a lot of time on the coast and developing a love for all things coastal as a kid. I was fortunate to have grandparents who owned a home near the water in coastal Massachusetts. Every summer, we spent at least a week or two visiting them. I have fond memories of spending time on my grandfather’s boat catching flounder and blue fish. We donned hip waders and grabbed rakes and pulled clams from the water. And I spent many an hour at the beach with my grandmother building sand castles and playing in gentle waves of the surf. Those are very fond memories for me, and they give me a sense of purpose for our efforts now.

We have an incredible resource locally in Galveston Bay. We do what we do today to help ensure that our kids and their kids can enjoy the same healthy bay in the future that we enjoy today. Fundamentally, we work to protect clean water. We want water that we can swim or fish in and not worry about getting sick. We work to preserve and restore habitat. We want a healthy bay that supports all kinds of marine and bird life, so that we can enjoy activities like fishing, boating, kayaking, and bird watching. And we work to maintain the proper balance of freshwater flowing into our bay and mixing with the salt water from the Gulf of Mexico. We want the productivity that freshwater provides our bay by bringing needed nutrients and maintaining the brackish system that

Bob StokesPresidentExt. 211

Rachel BarskiEducation CoordinatorExt. 219

Trey BartschMarketing Coordinator & Gazette EditorExt. 208

Charlene BohanonWater Quality Program ManagerExt. 215

Anja BorskiReport Card CoordinatorExt. 223

Anna DeichmannLand Stewardship Coordinator

Emily FordVolunteer Programs CoordinatorExt. 207

Rani HendersonManager of Education ProgramsExt. 212

Erik HittOyster Shell Recycling Program As-sistant

Scott A. JonesDirector of AdvocacyExt. 209

Greg LoushineDirector of DevelopmentExt. 213

Katie McCannWater Quality SpecialistExt. 217

Taleen MooreGrants Billing SpecialistExt. 202

Mindy MurrayAdministrative and Database AssistantExt. 201

Neally RheaWater Quality Outreach AssistantExt. 220

Sharon RoarkMajor Gifts OfficerExt. 204

Emily SeldomridgeWater Policy and Outreach SpecialistExt. 218

Chris SheldonOyster Shell Recycling Assistant

Matt SingerLand Stewardship ManagerExt. 206

Courtney SmithVice President of OperationsExt. 214

Philip SmithDirector of ConservationExt. 210

Shanna ThiemEvents and Development ManagerExt. 202

Justine TownsendChief Financial OfficerExt. 202

Kate VickeryStrategic Program ManagerExt. 205

Lee Anne WildeLiving Shorelines Program ManagerEx. 205

allows our finfish, shrimp, and oysters to thrive.

You recently received our “Annual Appeal” letter in the mail. Our Annual Appeal is our end-of-year, member-driven fundraising appeal. The letter talks about our accomplishments to date in 2014 and our hopes for 2015. Everything we mention in that letter ties back to our efforts to protect clean water, preserve and restore habitat, and maintain a healthy balance of freshwater in Galveston Bay. Most of you live, play, or recreate

in or around Galveston Bay. This is your bay. Our sense of place is tied to this bay. It is our collective duty to continue to work to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay so that we can pass this great body of water onto future generations in better shape than when we found it.

Your support of our Annual Appeal gives us the resources we need to continue those efforts. Please consider a generous year-end donation to our Annual Appeal. And feel free to include a note in your response telling us why you care about Galveston Bay. We’d love to compile a list of reasons Galveston Bay is important to you that we can share with all our members in the future. Thank you very much. Enjoy the holiday season.

Why We Preserve and ProtectFrom Our President:

Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay Foundation President

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n1

It is our collective duty to continue to work to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of

Galveston Bay so that we can pass this great body of water onto future

generations in better shape than when we found it.

Boater Waste Education Campaign Continues to Aid in Improving Water Quality

DATES TO REMEMBER

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 2

Bravos for the Bay VolunteerAppreciation EventThursday, Jan. 15, 2015 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.Texas Corinthian Yacht Club

Abandoned Crab Trap RemovalSaturday, Feb. 21, 2015, 9:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.Ft. Anahuac Park

he Texas Coastal Management Program (CMP) at the Texas General Land Office

(GLO) is funding GBF’s Boater Waste Education Campaign (BWEC) for the 7th year in a row! From its inception as an educational outreach initiative to a water quality monitoring and enforcement networking program, GBF is striving to have a greater impact on people and their understanding of this issue than boater waste has on our water quality.

In 2008, GBF launched the BWEC as a marketing and advertising campaign created to decrease the incidence of illegal discharges to the Galveston Bay estuarine system, particularly Clear Lake. As Clear Lake has the third highest concentration of privately owned marinas in the United States, educating the public about the proper disposal of boat sewage is critical for the overall health of the ecosystem. Driven by a committed work group, the BWEC has successfully developed campaign messages, created marketing materials, and distributed materials in the boating community through a variety of methods, including advertisements, education packets, promotional items, and presentations. Since 2008, GBF has maintained a clear and simple message, “Pump Don’t Dump,” and introduced several new programs into the campaign, including the Water Monitoring Team (WMT), Galveston Bay Action Network (GBAN), and Clean Water Partnerships (CWP).

The WMT samples at marinas and near-shore recreational areas to quantify potential boater waste impacts to water quality, monitor long-term trends, and serve as an outreach tool in marinas. In 2012, GBF established the infrastructure for running the GBF Water Monitoring Team and Bacteria Monitoring Lab by developing an EPA-approved Quality Assurance Project Plan, adopting methods

and training materials from the Texas Stream Team, ordering equipment, and becoming certified Texas Stream Team Trainers. The WMT currently has 53 certified volunteers sampling at 52 locations throughout Galveston Bay and Clear Lake. Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students carried out focused research projects in local marinas during the summers of 2013 and 2014 through GBF’s Water Quality Research Internship. Our volunteer monitors donated a total of 1,180 hours in 2013 and over 1,800 hours so far in 2014. Volunteers sample sites at least once a month for temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, water transparency, and field observations; 18 of the monitors are also certified to sample for Enterococci. To date, GBF’s Bacteria Monitoring Lab has processed over 800 bacteria samples and is currently setting up a map online to communicate these results.

GBAN is a web application that allows citizens to report boat sewage discharges and other common water pollution incidents. Through GBAN, GBF is able to engage citizens by providing them with the tools for submitting water pollution reports. A centralized location for mapping incidents allows GBF to identify repetitive problem areas that should be presented to enforcement agencies to monitor. With more citizens reporting discharge incidents, the workgroup hopes to enlighten marina owners, boaters, and enforcement agencies to the reality of the boater waste

issue. Recently, GBF staff worked with a company to develop a customized application that can be used on all desktop and mobile devices and send email reports directly to the appropriate enforcement agency. This new version of the app launched in November 2014.

GBAN, among other BWEC initiatives and efforts, to the creation of the Clean Vessel Committee, a group of entities involved in either educating boaters or enforcing laws that protect water quality in the bay. The first

(continued on pg. 5)

T

Above: Katie McCann, GBF’s Water Quality Program Assistant, trains water quality volunteers on how to properly take samples. Below: GBF’s soon to be released Galveston Bay Action Network will give the public a website to properly report pollution sightings.

arine debris, besides being unsightly, causes a number of issues in our bay

waters. It impairs water quality, impedes water circulation, obstructs navigation, degrades coastal habitats, and endangers wildlife. It exists in our waterways down from the smallest cigarette butt to the largest abandoned derelict barge.

GBF works on a variety of programs aimed at decreasing the incidence and impacts of marine debris on the bay system. Several of GBF’s community-based marine debris removal efforts involve the removal of abandoned crab traps from Galveston Bay during the state’s crabbing closure and clean-up of trash and debris from the Armand Bayou watershed during the regional Trash Bash event. Both events feature efforts to educate and inform the public about the hazards of marine debris.

On a much larger scale, GBF has worked closely with the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to spearhead a series of efforts to remove large marine debris from the bay. Beginning in 2005, GBF removed nearly 30 derelict and abandoned vessels from the waters of Galveston Bay. Currently, GBF, in coordination with the GLO through the administration of the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) funds being used to fund the effort, is systematically removing known marine debris from different geographic areas around the bay. In January 2013, GBF led the removal of seven marine debris items from

Dickinson Bay and Bayou, including six derelict boats and one 40’ steel convex box. Then in late 2013 and early 2014, GBF focused its efforts on sixteen items of marine debris located in Cedar Bayou. These included thirteen vessels and three steel-hulled barges. The marine debris removed as part of this project has varied from small recreational boats to larger commercial fishing vessels, to as large as a 200-foot steel barge. The Cedar Bayou project alone resulted in the removal of 357 tons of material--equivalent to 714,000 pounds!

Another hotspot of marine debris was targeted by community member Rick Stewart, who pursued the removal of eight derelict and abandoned oilfield structures from the area of Galveston Bay west of the Houston Ship Channel from Houston Yacht Club in the north to Kemah Boardwalk/Clear Lake Channel on the west and Redfish Island to the southeast. These non-producing, derelict structures, with names like “Blue & White” and “The Barn,” were longstanding hazards to navigation and eyesores on the horizon until the summer of 2013, when Mr. Stewart’s efforts to have them removed came to fruition in a removal project overseen by the GLO. For his efforts in spearheading this project, Mr. Stewart was the community honoree at GBF’s annual Guardian of the Bay luncheon in September 2014.

All of these efforts—from small-scale trash clean-ups to large-scale derelict vessel or structure

removal—contribute to the overall goal to restore coastal habitats and water quality to the bay system by removing marine debris from navigable waterways and habitat areas of Galveston Bay. The clean-up of our watershed and waterways benefits water quality by removing pollutants from the bay, including those can harm wildlife through physical entanglement, ingestion, or habitat degradation. Please consider volunteering for one of the many local trash cleanups, and remember that all storm drains lead to Galveston Bay. Let’s all do our part to keep our waterways debris-free!

Marine Debris Removal Effort Improves Bay Health

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n3

GBF partners with Texas General Land Office to Decrease Impact of Debris on Bay

M

The marine debris removal project has removed several large pieces of debris from the Bay, including a 200-ft steel barge and this 40-ft shipping container.

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 4

GBF would like to recognize Skyler Carey for his outstanding volunteer commitment.

Skyler is “a Jack of all trades,” helping in any way and every way he can with our extensive projects and programs, and always showing a warm smile and passion for Galveston Bay conservation.

Skyler’s main volunteer activities take place alongside the Water Quality team. Skyler has been with the GBF Water Monitoring Team as a Texas Stream Team certified Volunteer Water Quality Monitor for almost a year. He is also a certified GBF Bacteria Sampler and is currently participated as a volunteer for the summer College Research Experience.

Much to the delight of GBF, Skyler’s dedication does not stop with the Water Quality Team. During the recent Texas City “Y” Spill, Skyler not only acted as a vital member of the local CERT group, but donated his valuable volunteer time to the Sentinel Program as a team leader for beach walking and observational data collection. He also recently joined the volunteer Wetland Permit Review Committee and has already participated in a few permit review meetings. Skyler also finds time to participate in our many outreach and conservation events, including our Marsh Mania event at Pine Gully Park in Seabrook.

When asked to describe his experience with and thoughts on GBF, Skyler stated that his experience volunteering with the team has been exciting and really enjoyable. He enjoys volunteering and working alongside all of the talented and energetic staff and dedicated volunteers here at GBF doing real activities and seeing the tangible, positive results from those efforts. It is amazing to him how much that GBF does for the environment and for our community and he is happy to be a little part of that.

He is thankful for all of the volunteer opportunities that he has been provided, especially water quality monitoring, helping out with the oil spill, and planting cordgrass during Marsh Mania. He has learned quite a bit from all of these opportunities over this past year and looks forward to helping out with future activities.

Each and every volunteer is a valuable part of the GBF family, and we truly cannot thank Skyler enough for his consistent support.

SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEER: Skyler Carey

BF continues with its efforts to notify subsistence and recreational fishermen

about the risks of consuming fish and blue crab from area waterways subject to Texas Department of State Health Services seafood consumption advisories by placing warning signs in popular bank fishing locations and boat ramps. Our initial efforts focused on the San Jacinto River and the Houston Ship Channel from its confluence with the San Jacinto River and points downstream to Upper Galveston Bay as far south as Shoreacres. That terminus

represents the southern boundary of one of the more serious advisories. GBF has moved up the Houston Ship Channel and the tidal portions of its tributaries, also subject to the worst of the advisories on all species of fish and blue crab due to the presence of dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides, with the campaign. With the partnership of the City of Houston and the City of Pasadena, we have placed signs on Brays Bayou in Brays Greenway Park, on Sims Bayou in Milby Park and on Vince

Bayou in Pasadena’s Memorial Park. We also placed additional signs on the Houston Ship Channel near Washburn Tunnel and in some important locations in Channelview near the San Jacinto River Waste Pits, in the vicinity of the north Lynchburg Ferry landing, and on Little Cedar Bayou in La Porte.

For more information, please see GBF’s Seafood Consumption Advisory webpage at http://galvbay.org/advocacy_seafood.html.

Update on GBF’s Seafood Consumption Advisory Education Program

G

Skyler (left) is pictured here alongside a fellow volunteer at Pine Gully for Marsh Mania on May 16, 2014. Skyler has volunteered with GBF for several causes in recent years.

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n5

committee meeting was held on December 6, 2013, to discuss each entity’s role in boater waste and the need to collaborate and coordinate more closely on the issue. A plan of action was created to engage marina managers, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Clean Water Certification program, and the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary in collaborative efforts. In July 2014, the group held a public meeting to update stakeholders on work being done, results of preliminary data and research being carried out, and discuss opportunities for improved collaboration. The group has agreed to meet on a semi-annual basis.

The CWPs are a community-led effort to improve water quality. GBF partners with local marinas to carry out BWEC projects, including conducting routine water quality monitoring. This program allows GBF to build valuable relationships around the bay and provides an opportunity for implementing effective outreach. Each year, through the Clean Texas Marina Program, marinas apply for the Clean Marina of the Year Award based on a specific project they are implementing to benefit the environment. In 2012 and 2013, Marina Del Sol received this award for its efforts to improve water quality through a partnership with GBF.

These additional branches of the campaign allow GBF to reach a broader audience by giving boaters the opportunity to take action and empowerment to spread the campaign message to their fellow boaters. GBF’s message, “Pump Don’t Dump,” reaches hundreds of thousands of people every year. In a single 18-month CMP Grant Cycle, over 800,000 impressions were made through various print/digital media and public outreach avenues. The CMP has awarded GBF another grant for fiscal year 2015 “to support the BWEC in hopes that they will continue to be successful in their mission to educate and foster change amongst Texans,” says Sean Hilbe, Grants Specialist for the Texas GLO. GBF looks forward to new campaign successes and continued collaboration with all of our boating community partners who make this possible!

Boater Waste Education Campaign(Continued from pg. 2)

T his summer, GBF conduct the first ever “FACE of GBF” training session with the amazing

staff at DESCO Environmental Consultants.

The FACE of GBF Volunteer Program is designed to develop volunteers as professional representatives of GBF. These volunteers are given opportunities to fill valuable volunteer leadership positions including field team leads, outreach specialists, project leads, and more. FACE of GBF volunteers are prepared to speak on behalf of GBF and help us rally support for Galveston Bay.

DESCO Environmental Consultants, LP is a full-service environmental consulting firm founded on the guiding principle of meeting the needs of industry, agencies, and landowners while simultaneously protecting natural and cultural resources. They offer a comprehensive suite of environmental services to support their clients, including: environmentally conscious project planning, regulatory permitting, and compliance; habitat and impact assessments; threatened, endangered, and sensitive species surveys; wetland services including mitigation and monitoring; vegetation sampling and mapping;

cultural resource surveys; development of habitat conservation and management plans; compliance monitoring; fish impact assessments; marine mammal monitoring; and GIS analysis, among others. Soon after completing the FACE of GBF training, the staff at DESCO became active outreach and field volunteers for GBF, including donating their time and services to map the vegetation and wildlife diversity of GBF’s Sweetwater Preserve in Galveston (a project valued at over $26,000.00).

Arthur Perkins, Senior Biologist/Ecologist with DESCO, shares that “the vegetation list and community mapping that is being prepared for Galveston Bay Foundation’s Sweetwater property will provide a valuable inventory and management tool for the ecological management of the area.”

When asked what it was like to be a FACE of GBF volunteer, DESCO Biologist/Project Manager Chris Little responded, “…working with the Galveston Bay Foundation as a FACE of GBF

(continued on pg. 11)

GBF Launches FACE Voluteer Program with DESCO Environmental Consultants

GBF staff and DESCO staff after completing the first FACE of GBF training session.

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 6

I am a person who cares passionately about education, the arts, and the magnificence

of our natural world. Since my children have grown up and left home, I have spent my leisure time travelling the world and experiencing the wildlife of Costa Rica, Thailand, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa. It is my passion. Closer to home, I enjoy working as the Major Gifts Officer for the Galveston Bay Foundation and learning about this important natural resource that is right in our own backyard. I live in Houston and am constantly amazed by the number of people who ask me if I am moving to Galveston! I politely explain that Galveston Island is different from Galveston Bay and that the bay extends northward almost to Interstate 10.

Many Houstonians are unaware of the geography and natural beauty of the bay, the productivity of the bay, and the many outdoor recreational opportunities provided by the bay. I was one of those people until I joined the staff of the Galveston Bay Foundation in 2011. I have recently included the Galveston Bay Foundation and several other charities in my estate plans by listing these charities as beneficiaries on my retirement plan. This is an easy way to support your favorite causes and leave a legacy that will continue beyond your lifetime.

For additional information on how you can have a lasting impact with estate or planned giving, please call the Galveston Bay Foundation at (281) 332-3381 x204 or visit http://www.galvbay.org/give_planned.html

Leaving a Lasting Impact for Conservation

he Galveston Bay Foundation’s 2014 Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon

honored Accenture, Rick Stewart, and the City of Nassau Bay for their commitment to preserving and protecting the natural resources of Galveston Bay. On September 24, over 500 luncheon guests were privileged to enjoy keynote remarks by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith, who spoke about the importance of conserving Texas’s unique natural heritage and in particular, Galveston Bay.

Master of Ceremonies Frank Billingsley, Chief Meteorologist KPRC Local2, commented on the recent threats to Galveston Bay and the need to maintain the resilience of this important natural resource. GBF President Bob Stokes recognized luncheon chairs, Sandra and Fred Pounds, for their contribution to the record-breaking success of this year’s event which raised over $309,000.

Luncheon guests joined GBF staff and board members in celebrating GBF’s recent purchase of 17 acres of property on Trinity Bay, which will serve as GBF’s new Trinity Bay Education Center. Bob Stokes also announced upcoming plans to close on a location for a permanent office and education center for GBF on upper Galveston Bay.

GBF would like to give special thanks to Guardian Sponsors Kirby Corporation and Kathrine G. McGovern/McGovern Foundation. We also appreciate the generous support of Protector Sponsors Accenture, NRG Energy, Sandra and Fred Pounds, Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc., and Cynthia and Don Stevenson/Madlin Stevenson Foundation, along with all the other participants who made this year’s luncheon such a great success. The money raised will directly benefit habitat restoration and protection of Galveston Bay.

To view Carter Smith’s remarks and the luncheon honoree video, visit http://galvbay.org/events/guardian-of-the-bay-award-luncheon/.

GBF Recognizes 2014 Honorees at Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon

Top: (left to right) Bob Stokes, Sandra and Fred Pounds, and keynote speaker Carter Smith.

Bottom: Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Carter Smith, delivers the keynote address.

By: Sharon Roark, Galveston Bay Foundation Major Gifts Officer

T

GBF Launches FACE Voluteer Program with DESCO Environmental Consultants

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n7

oral reports over county radios for fast response from the proper authorities. This surveying and reporting based model not only allowed concerned citizens to help in a meaningful way, but greatly expedited the response effort by freeing up authorities to manage other aspects of the clean-up. On July 24, GBF received a certificate of merit from the Department

of Homeland Security U.S. Coast Guard for the success of the Sentinel Program. “This arrangement that we have with the Galveston Bay Foundation [led to] the first and to the best of my knowledge, the only, successful activation of [an oil spill response] volunteer effort on this scale - ever.” explained Capt. Penoyer of the U.S. Coast Guard at GBF’s quarterly membership meeting last month.Bob Stokes, President of the Galveston Bay Foundation, feels that the program’s success

is due to the unparalleled preparedness of all involved entities. “We are fortunate here in Galveston Bay to have what I consider the top-end of oil spill planning and response in the entire country. The environmental impact to the bay could have been much greater if it weren’t for the streamlined coordination of all parties.” The foundation is continuing to work with Central Texas Coastal Area Committee to even further improve the Sentinel Program should it be needed again in the future.

GBF Leads Oil Spill Volunteer Effort(Continued from cover)

This spring, students from Ball High School

teamed up with GBF and the City of Galveston for our Storm Drain Stewards

program. Sixty students placed 180 storm drain markers on the east end of the island, between UTMB and Seawall. GBF’s bright, blue markers help educate the public about pollution associated with stormwater runoff and serve as a reminder that we can all participate in helping to keep our waters clean. Trash, chemicals, pet waste, and sediments that enter these storm drains travels directly into the bay, untreated. To date, GBF has worked with 200 volunteers and students to mark 700 storm drains across the City of Friendswood, City of Galveston, City of Kemah, City of La Porte, Marina Del Sol, and Pelican Rest Marina. The GBF Water Quality Team would like to thank all of the students, teachers, volunteers, and partners for a job well done! If you would like GBF’s Storm Drain Stewards program to come to your city, please contact Neally Rhea at nrhea@galvbay.org for more information.

Storm Drain Stewards Help to Educate Public on Pollution

G BF’s Get Hip to Habitat Program is undergoing program expansion and

improvements during the 2014-15 school year thanks to a grant from the NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program. The NOAA B-WET program offers competitive grants to promote locally relevant environmental education opportunities to students in grades K through 12, as well as related professional development for educators. All NOAA B-WET funded projects emphasize sustained, hands-on, experimental activities that are aligned with academic learning standards.

With this federal grant, GBF is able to increase the number of schools served through the Get Hip to Habitat program from 18 schools in the 2013-2014 school year to 25 schools in the 2014-15 school year. Likewise, the number of students participating in the program has increased by 50% to 1,500 students in the 2014-15 school year. Program equipment is also being updated, and students are being equipped to use probeware in the field, and, in some cases, in the classroom. Participating teachers are provided with professional development opportunities and enhanced classroom support.

Now in its eighth year, Get Hip to Habitat is a hands-on education program that allows students in grades 5-12 to help restore Galveston Bay habitats—mainly coastal marsh and prairie—while learning all about bay habitats and their multiple benefits and uses. Participation in this program provides students with valuable hands-on science education at their schools as well as in the field, and exposes them to the value of a healthy Galveston Bay. The program not only teaches students about the ecosystem and watershed, but also imparts a sense of ownership of and responsibility for their habitat restoration projects and teaches them to be good stewards of Galveston Bay. Providing consistent, meaningful watershed educational experiences for students as well as professional development opportunities and resources for teachers helped GBF earn the NOAA B-WET grant.

To learn more about the Get Hip to Habitat program or other education programs offered by GBF, please contact Rani Henderson at rhenderson@galvbay.org or (281) 332-3381 x212.

NOAA B-WET Grant Awarded to Fund Education Program

Left: More than 1,000 volunteers signed up following the oil spill to survey and document beaches for traces of oil.

Right: On July 24, 2014, Emily Ford, GBF’s Volunteer Programs Coordinator, accepted on behalf of GBF a certificate of merit from the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Coast Guard for our volunteer management role during the recent oil spill.

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 8

The eighth annual event raised funds for projects that preserve wetlands, protect natural habitat, and enhance the water quality of the bay

1,072 Cyclists join GBF for 2014 Bike Around the Bay

ore than 1,000 registered riders joined GBF for Bike Around the Bay on October

18-19. Cyclists began their ride with beautful weather at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, TX, before embarking on a scenic ride that passed by the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and through High Island--the highest point on the Gulf Coast between the Yucatan Peninsula and Alabama. Cyclists then stopped at High Island for lunch before riding along the picturesque beach scenery of Bolivar Peninsula. After crossing the Houston Ship Channel on the Bolivar Ferry, cyclists ended Saturday at Moody Gardens, cheered by supporters and volunteers as they crossed the finish line after their 97-mile journey. A festive dinner outside on the shores of Galveston Bay provided cyclists with an enjoyable atmosphere.

The second day brought riders over the Galveston Causeway, through Texas City along the Texas City levee, and through the bayside towns of San Leon, Bacliff, Kemah, and Seabrook. Lunch was provided at Sylvan Beach in La Porte where volunteers from CenterPoint Energy provided food prepped by longtime Bike Around the Bay supporter Greg Busacca and friends. Following lunch, riders met one of the most memorable and challenging features of the ride, the Fred Hartman Bridge, before ending the second day back in Baytown. In lieu of the full, 180-mile route around Galveston Bay, 181 cyclists chose to ride the one-day option, which was offered for the second year.

Proceeds from the ride benefit projects that preserve wetlands, protect natural habitat, and enhance the water quality of the bay for present users and for posterity. While riders

are required to raise a minimum amount for GBF, many don’t stop there.

Many riders, such as Russ Boullion, ride with the goal of helping to improve the state of the bay. “Many of us and our companies depend on the bay for commerce; shipping through the Port of Houston, Galveston, Texas City, Barbour’s Cut and such. The Houston area would never enjoy the economic success that it has had without Galveston Bay. This is a way that people and companies can help do a little to preserve the natural habitats of Galveston Bay. Don’t forget that the bay also brings us great recreation and fishing. Let’s do our part to help our grandchildren’s grandchildren enjoy the thrill of pulling in that first trout!” Russ was the top fundraiser for the fourth straight year bringing in $12,010 for GBF this year!

Over 300 hardworking volunteers supported cyclists throughout the entire route with a variety of tasks including providing food and snacks, cheering cyclists, guiding bicycle traffic, and coordinating support logistics.

Bike Around the Bay is made possible through the generous support of Shell, the ride’s title sponsor, and major gifts from additional ride sponsors including Accenture, The Moody Foundation, UTMB Health, and Texas Solar Outfitters.

GBF would like to thank the many sponsors, participants, volunteers, and supporters for a successful 2014 Bike Around the Bay. Further information on the event can be found at www.bikearoundthebay.org.

M

A big thank you to our top 20

fundraisers in 2014!

Russ BoullionBob Stokes

Matthew HartzellMadeline Woods

Michael McKenzieJeff Myerson

Bohdan JankowskiPeggy McElroyGary Russell

Courtenay CliffordBilly Combs

Andrea ZunigaCortney Chastain

Julie FerreroBryan WirwiczSarah Cooke

Greg BlackburnEmily EscamillaJose Jimenez

Joseph Cavallaro

And a special thanks to GBF President Bob Stokes, GBF Board of Directors Member

Jeff Myerson, and GBF Water Quality Monitor Gary Russell, for participating in this year’s ride.

Sponsors and photos on pg. 12

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n9

festival of local wildlife, upbeat environmental music, kids’ crafts and bay-

themed games greeted over 5,000 visitors to the Kemah Boardwalk on Saturday, April 26 as we celebrated Bay Day 2014. Attendees visited the interactive exhibits and learned about the importance of Galveston Bay and its diverse resources.

A variety of organizations and companies participated with 39 different exhibits to showcase their roles in preserving Galveston Bay and to educate the community in fun, interactive ways. A new and popular feature this year was the Water Wonders Corner, which focused on activities to teach participants about water quality related issues in Galveston Bay. Young nature enthusiasts enjoyed the popular Baytown Nature Center booth, where they pet and held local bay creatures. CenterPoint Energy again sponsored the annual Bay Gazer photo contest, where

festival attendees could vote on their favorite photos. Results were announced later in the day. Additional family fun activities were enjoyed at booths hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Houston Zoo, Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and many more! Dozens of dedicated volunteers supported efforts among multiple booths and around the festival, ensuring a successful, fun day for all.

More than 5,000 Attendees Celebrate Galveston Bay at Bay Day 2014!

Bay Day 2014 is made possible thanks to our sponsors, including:

A

GBF Launches Redesigned Website

NRG Increases its Partner-ship with the Galveston Bay Foundation Through $50,000 Donation to Support Oil Spill Recovery

Rudy’s Texas Redfish Series Raises $10,000 for Galveston Bay Foundation

NRG Energy, a longtime supporter of GBF, increased their partnership with a $50,000 donation—a $25,000 corporate donation matched with another $25,000 grant from the NRG Gulf Coast region—to aid GBF in oil spill recovery efforts in Galveston Bay.

“Galveston Bay and all of the Gulf Coast is so dependent on a healthy ecosystem that I cannot think of a better way for NRG to support the communities in which we live and work than helping the Galveston Bay Foundation help all of us,” said John Ragan, president of NRG Energy’s Gulf Coast Region. “We look forward to seeing the fruit of this donation through the continued efforts of the Galveston Bay Foundation to bring volunteers, including NRG employees, to support the cleanup and restoration efforts.”

NRG is a long-time contributor to Galveston

Bay education programs and habitat restoration projects. NRG donates marsh vegetation from its EcoCenter facility in Baytown, Texas, to the marsh restoration projects undertaken by GBF and other local conservation partners. “NRG and the Galveston Bay Foundation have partnered together in many ways over the years to help Galveston Bay and we are very pleased to continue working together during this time of immediate and longer-term need,” said Bob Stokes, President of GBF.

Rudy’s Texas Redfish Series donated $10,000 to GBF for habitat restoration following the oil spill that took place on March 22 in Galveston Bay. The money was raised by sponsors and anglers participating in the Redfish Tournament held in Corpus Christi on Friday, March 29. We are very thankful for everyone involved in the tournament and for Rudy’s Texas Redfish Series’ commitment to the health of Galveston Bay!

GBF is excited to have recently launched a new, user friendly website. The new site utilizes current technology to allow visitors to more easily learn about our programs, sign up for an event, or donate. Responsive design was used to allow the site to be mobile and tablet friendly, making it easy to view from any sized device. Visit www.galvbay.org and take a look!

Comings and Goings

GBF recently launched a redesigned, mobile-friendly website. See more at galvbay.org.

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 10

he Galveston Bay Foundation continues its efforts to provide information to the public

on the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site (SJRWP) through our position as the EPA Technical Assistance group. The SJRWP is an abandoned waste pit on the west bank of the San Jacinto River immediately upstream of the Interstate 10 Bridge. The site contains paper mill wastes contaminated with dioxins, an extremely toxic family of compounds which can cause cancer and other serious illness in humans. It was placed in the U.S. EPA Superfund Program in 2008.

As part of our efforts, GBF submitted comments on the draft Feasibility Study. The draft Feasibility Study does many things, but its main purpose to lay out possible long-term clean up remedies. Specifically, GBF, in cooperation with our SJRWP technical advisor, the Houston Advanced Research Center, submitted comments on the Feasibility Study to the EPA demanding full removal of all the wastes, as complete removal of the wastes would provide the greatest long-term reduction

of risk to human and environmental health.

The technology and ability to remove the wastes in such a manner currently exists. Given the dynamic nature of the waste pits site on the San Jacinto River, which is subject to catastrophic flooding events, river scour, and hurricane wind-driven waves, leaving the wastes in place is not an acceptable option.

Based on the latest schedule information from the EPA, it appears that your opportunity to provide public comment on the proposed plan for cleanup will occur in 2015. We will keep you and all Galveston Bay stakeholders informed on the revised schedule as soon as it becomes available from the EPA. Regardless of the date that the proposed plan comes out, there will be a minimum 30-day public comment period.

In a parallel but separate case, over two years ago. Harris County filed suit for civil penalties against the responsible parties

in the case. This past November 13 Harris County settled part of that case with two of the three responsible parties. McGinnis Industrial Maintenance Corporation and Waste Management Inc. agreed to pay $29.2 million for their role in the waste pits. A jury cleared the third responsible party, International Paper Company, of any responsibility. Of that settlement amount,$10 million may be set aside for environmental projects. GBF has submitted a list of potential Supplemental Environmental Projects that we believe are beneficial to the community and worthy of funding. Our major focus, however, is making sure the site is cleaned up properly through the Superfund process.

You can stay abreast of the SJRWP cleanup schedule and meetings, read HARC’s summary documents, and learn more by visiting GBF’s SJRWP webpage at http://galvbay.org/advocacy_sjrwp.html.

San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site Update

T

he Galveston Bay Foundation was joined by more than 400 total volunteers and

supporters at Marsh Mania on Galveston Bay on May 16 and September 27.

At the Spring event, volunteers planted smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) at Pine Gully Park in Seabrook. At the Fall event, National Estuaries Day was celebrated at four marsh restoration sites: Shipe Woods in Chambers County, Pine Gully Park in Seabrook, East End Lagoon, and Bay Harbor, both on Galveston Island.

Marsh Mania is an annual GBF event that involves local citizens in hands-on marsh restoration activities while increasing their awareness and appreciation of Galveston Bay wetlands and the many services they provide. In fifteen years, more than 7,500 “Marsh Maniacs” have restored over 204 acres of wetlands at 79 sites around Galveston Bay.

National Estuaries Day is the nation’s largest volunteer event for estuaries in the country. National Estuaries Day is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Restore America’s Estuaries, the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association, the Association of National Estuary Programs, and countless other associations and agencies.

GBF wishes to thank all of our volunteers, partners, and sponsors who participated in the 2014 Marsh Mania events.

Marsh Maniacs Restore Vital Bay Habitat at Biannual Event

Marsh Mania 2014 is made possible thanks to our sponsors, including:T

The Marsh Mania logo is recognized by so many, especially those who have participated

in one or more Marsh Mania events and left with a t-shirt featuring our beloved Eddie the Egret in hip boots and leaning on his bright orange dibble. If you participated in any of the Marsh Mania events held in 2014, however, you did not see the traditional Eddie the Egret logo gracing the event t-shirts and sponsor banners, but a new logo. Like the traditional logo, the new logo does feature an egret and dibbles, but beyond that, it is an updated take on what Marsh Mania represents.

So what’s the story behind these logos? And what’s the reason for the new logo?

The familiar Eddie the Egret logo has been a part of Marsh Mania since the event’s inception in 1999. It was hand-drawn by a GBF employee at the time named Scott Williams. Scott, now a Fish and Wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Coastal Program, has been a strong partner on Marsh Mania and on most of GBF’s habitat restoration projects over the years. Scott’s artwork for the original Marsh Mania logo was vetted through the Marsh Mania workgroup. The workgroup also contributed a name—“Eddie”—to the tall, white wading bird featured in the logo design. The name commemorated Eddie Seidensticker, an employee of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) who had devoted so many years of his career to restoring coastal wetlands around Galveston Bay. Eddie, a tireless champion for GBF, retired from the NRCS in

volunteer provides a great opportunity to give back to a place I love and help an organization that protects one Texas’ most valuable natural resources.” Errin Bryner, a member of DESCO’s

administrative team, adds that “… [it] makes me feel like more of a member to the GBF team than just a temporary volunteer. It can be challenging for a company to find a cause we can all contribute to together, so we are truly thankful that GBF made it so easy to partner up.”

Alley Altemose, a Senior Ecologist/Project Manager with DESCO, elaborates more on the value of current and future volunteer participation with GBF:

“DESCO’s major focus includes natural resources, and we recognize the importance of the bay to us and our community beyond recreation and shrimp gumbo. It’s the foundation for our economy, ecology, and livelihood. We embrace and find importance in community involvement, environmental stewardship and volunteering. Galveston Bay Foundation is a perfect fit for us as we share several mutual interests. GBF’s commitment to conservation, education and community involvement resonates with several

of DESCO’s missions. We hope to continue working with GBF, inspiring future generations of biologists and natural resource managers through activities such as Marsh Mania and educating the public about the importance of the bay, estuaries, and marshes to everyone in the area.”

We cannot thank the folks at DESCO enough for their volunteerism and support of Galveston Bay preservation, and we look forward to working with them and future FACE of GBF volunteers for years to come!

2009, but it was his work that helped pave the way for so much of the wetlands restoration work done in Galveston Bay to this day.

The development of a new logo was not intended to replace Eddie the Egret, but to give him a fresh, new feel and bring him up with the times. And who better to design the new logo than the talented son of the original logo artist? Scott’s son, Drake Williams, is in his senior year at Texas A&M University. His field of study in Visualization includes elements of computer animation, graphic design, character design, photography, and story writing, among others; his specialization is in graphic design.

In creating the new Marsh Mania logo, Drake looked to GBF’s organizational logo with its clean, simple lines and colors reminiscent of the bay. He also considered his target audience—everyone from his dad’s colleagues at USFWS to the kids who participate in Marsh Mania. As with anything he designs, Drake said that his goal was to communicate with his audience without speaking to them. With this particular logo design, his goal was to excite his audience about the event through revitalization of the event logo. At different points throughout the design process, Drake said he received feedback from his dad. His final design incorporates elements common to the original Marsh Mania logo—green marsh grass, blue water, a white wading bird, and the recognizable orange dibbles—as well as the simple design of GBF’s organizational logo. Unlike his dad’s hand-drawn version, Drake designed his version using Adobe Illustrator and says he had fun with the logo design and colors. He feels—and GBF agrees—that the logo he created captures the feel of the Marsh Mania event. It made its debut on the event t-shirts and banner at the spring 2014 Marsh Mania event held at Pine Gully Park.

We look forward to giving this new logo as rich a history with GBF as the original and sincerely thank the father and son team of Scott and Drake Williams for their artistic contributions to Marsh Mania.

Father and Son Share Unique Conservation Legacy

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n11

T

FACE Volunteer Program(Continued from pg.5)

Scott Williams’ Marsh Mania logo (left) was used from the event’s inception in 1999 until this year when his son, Drake, rebranded the event for the Foundation.

n 2014, the Galveston Bay Foundation kicked the Rain Barrel Program into high-

gear with a schedule of eight workshops hosted in various cities around Galveston Bay. These cities included Baytown, Dickinson, Galveston, Houston, La Porte, and Nassau Bay. The Rain Barrel Program contributes to GBF’s greater goal of working to improve the water quality in Galveston Bay by reducing stormwater runoff, conserving freshwater resources, and reducing bacteria and pollution reaching the Bay.

A single rain barrel can capture 1,050 gallons of rainwater per year with average Houston-Galveston rainfall. Since its creation in 2013, GBF’s Rain Barrel Program has reduced 700 gallons of stormwater runoff by distributing 569 rain barrels into the local community. Each workshop is a unique experience for participants to receive information on the environmental benefits of collecting rainwater and resources to reduce their impact on the Bay. To date, GBF has presented rain barrel workshops to 606 participants.

GBF nearly doubled its program outreach in 2014 with its largest workshop yet, in partnership with the Houston Zoo. This unique workshop highlighted the importance of how water quality and water quantity in Galveston Bay impacts local wildlife and coastal habitats. Participants at the workshop received a special

presentation featuring the conservation efforts surrounding sea turtles and the Houston Toad. “It is a perfect fit for the Houston Zoo to host a rain barrel workshop because the Zoo is committed to engaging in conservation actions that positively impact animals in the wild,” says Martha Parka, the Conservation Education Coordinator at the Houston Zoo.

Thanks to a major sponsorship from LyondellBasell, GBF is to host four more workshops beginning in spring of 2015. “We are very pleased to offer our support for Galveston Bay Foundation’s Rain Barrel Program,” says Sam Smolik, Vice President, Health, Safety, Environmental and Operational Excellence of LyondellBasell. “This program brings the community together to protect and conserve freshwater in Galveston Bay in a way that each of us can make a contribution.”

At the close of each workshop, participants are challenged to partake in a rain barrel photo contest. The contest requires that workshop attendants send in a photo of their fully installed rain barrel, complete with a stand and a fresh coat of paint. Prizes are awarded based on the location and installation of the barrel, as well as having a uniquely painted design. First prize receives a free rain barrel and kit! GBF would like to congratulate the following workshop participants on their first-place, prize winning rain barrels: Lori Crossno, Andee Elkins, Joellan Mullen, Ruth Garcia, and Liz Johnson.

For more information on GBF’s Rain Barrel Program, visit www.galvbay.org/rainbarrel.

Rain Barrel Program Promotes Water Conservation at Home

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 12

I

Bike Around the Bay 2014 is made possible thanks to our sponsors:

Visit Bike Around the Bay on Facebook to see all photos from this year’s ride.

Bike Around the Bay(Continued from pg.8)

Barrels can be decorated or disguised in many creative ways, as shown here with Liz Johnson’s barrels, one of our first-place winners.

G a l v e s t o n B a y F o u n d a t i o n13

More than 60 participate in Ladies Casting for Conservation fishing tournament with goal of promoting awareness about conserving bay habitat

GBF Holds Second Annual Ladies Fishing Tournament

he Galveston Bay Foundation proudly hosted its second annual “Ladies Casting

for Conservation” fishing tournament on Saturday, July 26 at Stingaree Restaurant and Marina in Crystal Beach, TX. With more than 60 women registered to participate and more than 150 team sponsors, GBF aimed to promote awareness about the importance of conserving and protecting Galveston Bay and the critical habitat the bay provides for fish and other wildlife.

“Our participants and sponsors last year contributed over $30,000 to benefit our habitat conservation efforts in the event’s inaugural year, and we were thrilled to have so many of them back enthusiastically raising even more money for the Bay again,” explained Bob Stokes, President of GBF. “This tournament not only provides us with an opportunity to connect with lady anglers who enjoy fishing Galveston Bay, but also to promote a greater understanding of the importance of protecting and improving this valuable resource.”

The pre-tournament activities kicked off on Friday night with a social and captains’ meeting

at Barefoot Bill’s on Bolivar Peninsula. The tournament itself began at 6:00 am Saturday morning and culminated with the weigh-in, a buffet meal, and awards ceremony Saturday afternoon.

Twenty-four teams entered the tournament, accounting for 66 registered anglers. Each team consisted of two or three ladies, participating in either the Guided or Non-Guided category. Participants supported the Foundation through registration fees and donations from over 150 team sponsors. GBF was thrilled with the fundraising efforts of the fishing teams, many of whom spent weeks encouraging donations from family, friends, and businesses. Event and team sponsors together contributed over $35,000 in revenue for GBF. Proceeds will be used in GBF’s various initiatives to improve the state of the bay and promote healthy fish populations.

“Ladies Casting for Conservation” was made possible through the generous support of event sponsors, including Easy Lift, Samson Energy, Stingaree Restaurant and Marina, Kinsel Ford, Texas Marine, Swede’s Real Estate, Barefoot Bill’s American Grill, The Big Store, Eco-Smart Power, and Del Papa Distributing. Special acknowledgment goes to the team Always Bitch’n who brought in $9,475 in team donations!

Tournament Results:

Stringer - Guided1st - Asleep at the Reel2nd - Team Triple Tails3rd - Fifty Shades of Bay

Stringer - Non-Guided1st - Fish-N-Chicks2nd - Hall’s Hookers3rd - Saltwater Gypsies

Heaviest TroutEllen Ohmstede (Asleep at the Reel)

Heaviest RedfishEllen Ohmstede (Asleep at the Reel)

Heaviest FlounderDana Dekerlegand (The Treble Hookers)

Top FundraisingAlways Bitch’nHall’s HookersMother and Fish Reunion

Ladies Casting for Conservation is made possible thanks to our

sponsors, including:

Left : GBF staff member Lee Anne Wilde holds up her catch during the fishing tournament

Right: Margi Chase, Janice Lowe, and Elizabeth Petit fish as the sun rises over the Bay.

T

Marilyn Bell, Ellen Ohmstede, and Karen Henry of Asleep at the Reel took 1st place in the guided stringer category.

Lavada Edwards, Dana Mondey, and Linda Squires of Fish-N-Chicks took 1st place in the non-guided category.

For the second year in a row, Julie Radley, Susan Johnson, and Anita Cunningham won 1st place in team fundraising by raising $9,475 for GBF!

Visit the Galveston Bay Foundation’s Facebook page to see an album of all photos from the event.

2nd Annual Fishing Tournament

W i n t e r 2 0 1 4 14

all is the time when many companies give their employees an opportunity to make

workplace giving decisions. We’d be honored if you’d consider the Galveston Bay Foundation as one of your designees for workplace giving. These funds are crucial in providing consistent funding throughout the year and are often matched by employers, giving us even greater ability to preserve and protect Galveston Bay!

Examples of campaigns where we are listed include:

• Shell HERO Program• Chevron Humankind• Accenture Employee Giving Campaign• Port of Houston Combined Charities Campaign• City of Austin Employees (COACCC) Code: 1813• City of Houston Employees (HCMC) Code: 1484• Houston Independent School District Employees

(HISD) Code: 192• State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)

Code: 035599

• Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Code: 182557

• and many, many more…

In many cases we are listed directly and through our workplace giving partner, EarthShare of Texas. If you work for a company that does not list GBF and you would like to see us included, please feel free to call (281) 332-3381 x211. Thank you for your support!

It’s Workplace Giving Season!F

Photos in this issue of the GBF Gazette contributed by:

Audrey KuenstlerGene Fisseler

Andrew HancockBill Dempsey

GBF StaffBreck Sacra

John Stanisich

GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION17330 Highway 3Webster, TX 77598

p: 281.332.3381f: 281.332.3153www.galvbay.orggbf@galvbay.org

GBF is a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with EarthShare of Texas and with Restore

America’s Estuaries.

GBF Gazette underwriting is provided by our valued partner, the Port of Houston Authority.