The Nature Tourism Partnership

Galveston Island

Galveston Island: sand, salt, water

3 Words to Describe Galveston Activities

Welcome…You’re on Island Time!

Nature Tourism Partnership (NTP) What is the partnership?

Collaboration for purposeful nature tourism opportunities

Why did form? Create synergy between like-minded organizations/agencies

Sharing limited resources

Promote nature tourism around Galveston area

Showcasing economic benefits for conservation

Who is involved? 23 nature- related organizations, including both

governmental and NGO’s. Sponsored by the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, and with leadership from the Galveston Bay Area Master Naturalists,

Necessary Partners Improving communication and marketing for greater

participation and funding

Professional development of tourism industry

Sharing conservation efforts and benefits

Nature Tourism Partners Artist Boat Audubon Texas BaySmart Sea Scout Base Galveston Clean Galveston Flower Garden Banks NMS National Ocean and Atmospheric

Association (NOAA) Friends of Galveston Island State

Park Galveston Audubon Galveston Bay Area Master

Naturalist Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston Baykeeper Galveston CVB Galveston Historical Foundation

Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council

Galveston Island State Park TPWD Galveston Island Tree Conservancy Galveston Park Board (includes

CVB) Gulf of Mexico Foundation Houston Audubon Moody Gardens Scenic Galveston Turtle Island Restoration Network Surfrider Foundation (Galveston) Surfrider Foundation (Upper Tx

Coast) Texas Nature Conservancy (TCPP)

NTP Successes and Challenges

Nature Bus Tour

Mayoral address

Evolving strength as partners, collaborations

Momentum slump

Immediate actions

Volunteer Tourism Direct action,

capturing energy for conservation

Available staff and resources needed or shared

Virtual NTP Bus Tour Given to local representatives and business partners

A captivating overview of the nature tourism opportunities on Galveston Island

NTP Bus Begins…

Meet and greet at TIRN offices, downtown.

Ready for a tour?

Traveling through the island with experts…

NOAA Sea Turtle Facility

Galveston Bay Foundation -Sweetwater Preserve

Coastal Heritage Preserve

LaFitte’s Cove

Galveston Island State Park

Sea Scout Base

Future of NTP Communication focus

Resource sharing

New activities for local promotion

Issue-focused support

Volun-Tourism

Application of NTP Model for local network that advocates conservation

and preservation through the economic and cultural value of nature tourism.

Thank you! From your Nature Tourism Partners of Galveston

Diane Olsen, Moody Gardens & Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council

Lisa Reznicek, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Surfrider Foundation

Anja Borski, Galveston Bay Foundation