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    Spr ing / Summer 2n This I s sue :

    Also Inside :

    he evolution of Gulf Coast habitats

    was heavily inuenced by incredibly

    destructive forces of nature. Between oods

    and res, droughts and hurricanes, and a

    number of other historically recurring events,

    our coastal prairies and marshes have adapted

    to life in a very harsh environment, to such

    an extent that the native landscape cannot

    properly function without some natural or

    articial reset of the plant community.

    As urban areas expand and the natural

    processes that formed coastal habitats

    are altered, special management practices

    must be applied to maintain the health

    and diversity of native wildlife habitats. The

    Galveston Bay Foundation has teamed up with

    natural resource agencies to take proactive

    measures that ensure preserves and other

    environmentally sensitive lands are manag

    to provide ecosystem services that benet

    people and wildlife.

    One of the most signicant threats to nativ

    biodiversity and ecosystem function along t

    Gulf Coast is the introduction and spread o

    invasive plant species. The warm Gulf clima

    and abundant annual rainfall of the upper

    Texas coast provides conditions amenable

    to harbor plants from all over the world. Two

    non-native species that have been especia

    prolic and problematic are the Chinese ta

    and Brazilian peppertree. These plants not

    have the ability to easily out compete native

    coastal plants, but can also reproduce at a

    alarming rate.

    How GBF has been committed to preventing the spread ofinvasive plant species in the Galveston Bay estuarine system

    The FighTAgAinsTinvAsives

    T

    Continued on page

    Oyster Shell Recycling

    and Reef Restoration

    Project Updates

    Letter From Our President

    Collecting Trash to Save Our Bay

    Get Hip to Habitat Finishes

    Successful Year

    GBF Launches First Clean Water

    Partnership

    Living Shorelines Program Going

    Strong

    Birding For A Cause

    Spotlight on: Star Fleet Yachts

    Celebrating 25 Years at GBF

    Luncheon

    Bay Gazer Photo Contest Results

    GBF Welcomes Newest Staff

    1

    2

    3

    6

    7

    10

    10

    11

    11

    13

    Backing the Bay at

    Bay Day 2012

    Bike Around the Bay

    Improves for 2012

    Four Acres Planted a

    Marsh Mania

    PAGE 3 PAGE 8 PAGE 12PAGE 9

    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 POSTER

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    s you know, the mission of the Galveston

    Bay Foundation is to preserve, protect,and enhance the natural resources of the

    Galveston Bay system. Through our twenty-

    ve year history, we have always tried to bring

    together all the users of Galveston Bay to work

    in the best long-term interests of the Bay. That

    includes the recreational users, the commercial

    users, and the industrial users. We work with

    the multiple users of Galveston Bay and attempt

    to balance those uses so that no one use

    overwhelms any other.

    As I write this piece, we are working to resolve

    a controversial issue in which we believe one

    use of Galveston Bay is unfairly being sacriced

    for another. The Port of Houston is working

    to dredge the Bayport Ship Channel to 45

    feet-- as deep as most of the rest of the main

    Houston Ship Channel. This deepening will

    accommodate some of the

    post-Panamax ships at the

    Bayport Container Terminal

    that will come through the

    expanded Panama Canal

    in 2014. The Port bills this

    project as a jobs creator for

    the Houston region, and it

    undoubtedly is.

    However, the Ports plan for disposing of the

    material dredged out of the Bayport Channel is

    a cause of major concern for the recreationalusers of Galveston Bay. The Port wants to

    build a large new benecial dredge island in

    Upper Galveston Bay, west of the Houston

    Ship Channel and just east of the Houston

    Yacht Club (HYC), in an area of the Bay that

    has traditionally been reserved exclusively for

    recreational use. It is the one area of the Bay

    that is void of even oil and gas structures due to

    historical deference to recreational use.

    This initial decision

    to place the newbenecial use island

    in this controversial

    area has the support

    of an entity called

    the BUG, or the

    Benecial Use Group,

    an entity made up of

    representatives from

    multiple state and

    federal environmental agencies. It would create

    over 400 new acres of marsh for Galveston Bay

    and have a smaller impact on existing oyster reef

    than some other possible locations for the mater

    But the Galveston Bay Foundation believes that

    the plan unfairly substitutes an industrial use in

    place of a recreation use in the area, and that

    the option to create a new benecial use island

    in front of HYC should be dropped.

    Sailors from across the world come t

    this area to compete in regattas. The

    area even held the US Olympic Sailin

    Teams Trials less than 10 years ago.

    But more importantly, generations

    of local sailors have learned to sail

    in this area, and its conversion to

    an industrial use should be avoided. The Port of

    Houston has other options for storing this materi

    and should nd an option that does not have

    the signicant impact on recreational sailing the

    current option has. We are currently working witha broad group of concerned citizens and meeting

    with the Port to let it know of our concerns. I am

    hopeful that by the time you read this, the issue

    could even be resolved. But if not, we will continu

    to work for another option, so that the use of

    this area is not permanently converted from a

    recreation area. For more information and to see

    the full statement from GBF, visit our website at

    galvbay.org.

    The BAyporTDreDging projecT

    From Our President:

    We are currently working

    with a broad group of

    concerned citizens and

    meeting with the Port

    to let it know of our

    concerns.

    Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay

    Foundation President

    A

    Galveston Bay Foundation1

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    nce a year, thousands of volunteers

    gather along the Texas waterways

    to do their part in cleaning up theenvironment and participate in the largest

    statewide event to educate the public about

    the importance of our water resources

    (www.trashbash.org). The Galveston Bay

    Foundation sponsors one of the many

    sites associated with the annual River,

    Lakes, Bays N Bayous Trash Bash. This

    year, on Saturday, March 31, GBF hosted

    748 volunteers in cleaning up trash

    along the banks, tributaries, trails, androadways around Armand Bayou. Many

    covered much ground and collected trash

    on foot, while others used their personal

    kayaks or canoes to collect from the water.

    Through the efforts of these volunteers, an

    estimated 7,480 pounds of trash, 25 tires,

    and 2,440 pounds of recyclable materials

    were removed from the Armand Bayou

    watershed.

    GBF wishes to thank all those who came

    out to the Armand Bayou site for Trash

    Bash 2012 on Saturday, March 31!

    Collectively, GBFs Armand Bayou volunteer

    efforts contributed to those of the overall

    one-day event: 6,274 volunteers collecting61,452 pounds (31 tons) of trash, 634

    tires, and 7,113 pounds of recyclable

    materials from 176 miles of shoreline at 17

    sites surrounding Galveston Bay.

    Trash and debris thrown into streets,

    gutters, and ditches quickly reaches

    our regions waterways and, after

    rainfall, much of it nds its way intoGalveston Bay. These large discharges

    of water cause thousands of pounds

    of litter to become a nasty eyesore for

    Bay users, can be life threatening to Bay

    organisms, and pollute the water in the

    Bay making it unsafe for certain uses in

    many areas. The goal of Trash Bash is not

    only to clean up litter in our Bay system

    but also to grow awareness of the negat

    effects this contamination can have on of us. Just as harmful as the litter that w

    can visibly see and pick up are the unse

    threats to our Bay within the water. Whi

    is important for us to not discard trash a

    litter carelessly, its equally as importan

    to prevent chemicals or waste runoff fro

    polluting the water that we all use. Visit

    www.galvbay.org to see what you can

    do at home to help keep Galveston

    Bay clean for everyon

    7,480 pounds of trash collected at Trash Bash 2012 at Armand Bayou

    collecTing TrAshTo sAve our BAy

    Some volunteers such as Tim Gessner used

    kayaks to collect trash in areas inaccessible

    by foot.

    DATES TO REMEMBER

    O

    Spr ing / Summer 2012

    Oyster TastingSaturday, Nov. 3, 2012 3:00 - 6:00 pm

    Tommys Restaurant & Oyster Bar

    Redfish Raft-UpSunday, Sept. 2, 2012 11:00 am - 3:30 pm

    Star Fleet Yachts Marina

    Visit www.galvbay.org for

    more information on events

    Guardian of the Bay LuncheonTuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

    River Oaks Country Club

    Marsh ManiaSaturday, Sept. 29, 2012 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Moses Lake

    Bike Around the BaySaturday, Oct. 13-14, 2012 7:00 amRide Starts at Barbers Hill ISD

    New for Bike Around the B

    2012: a fully enclosed rou

    Visit bikearoundthebay.org

    more information.

    Where does trash come from?

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    Galveston Bay Foundation3

    n March 2011, GBF initiated our Oyster

    Shell Recycling Program with the goal of

    collecting discarded oyster shells from local

    seafood restaurants and stockpiling, curing,

    and eventually reusing the shells in future

    oyster reef restoration projects around

    Galveston Bay. The pilot program began as

    a partnership between GBF and Tommys

    Restaurant & Oyster Bar in Clear Lake.

    GBF staff worked with Tommys owner, Tom

    Tollett, to develop an efcient way to store

    the shell in preparation for transportation

    to GBFs shell recycling facility. Therecycling process starts with restaurant

    wait staff separating the used oyster shells

    and placing them into collection bins. The

    bins are picked up approximately twice a

    week and transported to GBFs collection

    area in Texas City, where they are left

    to cure in the sun for a minimum of six

    months. This bleaching helps to ensure that

    no unwanted organisms are introduced into

    Galveston Bay. Once the shell is cured, it is

    then ready to be used in various oyster reef

    restoration projects throughout Galveston

    Bay. Since March 2011, GBF has recycled

    over an estimated 35 tons of oyster shell

    from Tommys Restaurant. We have plans

    to expand the program, beginning this

    fall, to allow for the participation of more

    restaurants in the area and to collect more

    oyster shell for use in future reef restoration

    projects.

    Over the past 18 months, GBF has

    spearheaded community-based oyster

    reef restoration in Galveston Bay. Project

    sites in San Leon and Kemah were funded,

    in part and respectively, by grants from

    the Texas General Land Ofces Coastal

    Management Program and the National

    Partnership between NOAAs Community-

    based Restoration Program and Restore

    Americas Estuaries. The projects involved

    education and outreach to the general

    public, volunteers,

    and interestedstakeholders

    about Galveston

    Bay oysters, their

    importance, and

    various restoration

    projects around

    the bay as well as

    oyster gardening

    for the purposes

    of enhancing

    oyster habitat in

    Galveston Bay.

    Outreach efforts

    consisted of presentations to the public,

    website development, booth exhibits, and

    the development and printing of program

    brochures, oyster fact sheets, and oyster

    gardening how-to guides.

    Oyster gardening occurred throughout the

    summer of 2011,

    and involved

    residents of

    the San Leon,

    Bayview,

    and Kemah

    communities.

    The oyster gardening process involves

    hanging mesh bags of oyster shell from

    piers, docks, or bulkheads in the bay

    to collect free-oating oyster larvae

    (spat). Residents volunteered 15

    piers to use for hanging gardening bags

    and also volunteered over 680 hours

    of their time preparing, hanging, and

    maintaining the gardening bags , and

    placing the gardened oysters onto the

    reefs. Maintenance includes pulling the

    bags, removing algae and predators, an

    checking and maintaining the ropes and

    bag material. The gardening project was

    a huge success, and in September 201

    the gardened oysters were used to see

    reef pads along the San Leon and Kem

    waterfronts. The San Leon gardening an

    reef restoration project was conducted

    partnership between GBF and Texas Pa

    & Wildlife Department (TPWD).

    The interest in gardening oysters for ree

    restoration has continued in 2012. On

    June 2, GBF presented the program to t

    Jamaica Beach commun

    and Pelican Rest Marina

    both on Galveston Island

    Oyster Shell Recycling Community-based Oyster Reef Restoration

    oysTer shellrecyclingAnD reeF resTorATion

    I

    Young oysters gardened during the

    project in San Leon in August 2011

    Residents of Jamaica Beach listen

    to an oyster restoration

    presentation in June 2012

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    Spr ing / Summer 2012

    Jamaica Beach resident Fred Grube

    initiated the rst by contacting both GBF

    and TPWD about the potential for an

    oyster gardening and restoration project in

    Jamaica Beach. TPWD oyster biologist, Bill

    Rodney, and GBF project manager, Matthew

    Abernathy, presented the program to over30 Jamaica Beach residents and assisted

    residents in hanging 100 oyster gardening

    bags from residents docks. These bags

    will be monitored and maintained over the

    summer, and in September, will be emptied

    out to seed a nearby reef project managed

    by TPWD. Also on June 2, GBF assisted the

    owners of Pelican Rest Marina in hanging

    20 oyster shell bags along one of the piers

    to help determine if oyster spat is present

    in the area. These

    bags are also

    being monitored

    and maintained

    throughout the

    summer.

    GBFs Community-

    Based Oyster

    Reef Restoration

    program partners include: the National

    Partnership between NOAAs Community-

    based Restoration Program and Restore

    Americas Estuaries, Texas General Land

    Ofce Coastal Management Program,

    Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,

    ConocoPhillips, Dow, ERM Foundation,

    Hillcrest Foundation,

    KBR, and Samson.

    GBFs Oyster Shell

    Recycling program

    partners include

    Tommys Restaurant

    and Oyster Bar in

    Clear Lake, the National Partnership

    between NOAAs Community-based

    Restoration Program and Restore Ameri

    Estuaries, and Sea Scout Ship1659.Thanks to all of these supporters and to

    of the hardworking volunteers who have

    dedicated their time to both projects!

    For more information on GBFs oyster

    shell recycling and reef restoration effor

    please contact Matthew Abernathy by

    e-mail mabernathy@galvb

    org, or phone (281) 332-

    3381 x203.

    GBF staff member and Pelican

    Rest Marina employee hanging

    oyster bags at the marina pier inearly June 2012

    Students from College of the Mainlandin Texas City assisting with GBFs ShellRecycling operations

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    In 2005, GBF initiated a project to eradicate

    the Brazilian peppertree from Galveston

    Island. The Galveston Bay Estuary

    Program, Texas Coastal Management

    Program, and the USFWS Coastal Program

    have generously contributed substantial

    funding to support these ongoing efforts.

    These funds have allowed GBF to treat

    over 2,250 acres with targeted herbicide

    applications to control these noxious

    plants. The initial results are promising,

    but additional work is needed to address

    regrowth from established seed sources

    and untreated infestations.

    Simultaneously, GBF is working to eliminate

    Chinese tallow infestations on several

    conservation properties surrounding

    Galveston Bay. Tallow has drastically

    altered the plant community structure

    and composition in many coastal habitatsincluding coastal prairie, one of the nations

    most imperiled habitats. Controlling

    Chinese tallow infestations is one of ma

    steps in the process of restoring native

    coastal prairie, one of GBFs conservati

    priorities.

    Learn more about invasive plants and G

    efforts to control their spread throughothe Galveston Bay region at www.galvba

    org /conservation_invasive.html

    The Fight Against Invasives(Continued from cover)

    Galveston Bay Foundation5

    The Brazilian peppertree

    a noxious, invasive specie

    of concern along the Texa

    Gulf Coast.

    BFs Get Hip to Habitat program

    just closed a very productive 2011-

    12 school year, with fourteen public

    and private schools from all around the

    Houston-Galveston area participating in

    the program. This represents double the

    number of schools that participated in

    the program during the 2010-11 school

    year! Participating schools came from

    Galveston ISD (KIPP Coastal Village,

    Weis Middle School, Crenshaw School);

    Houston ISD (Clifton Middle School, Ryan

    Middle School); Pasadena ISD (San Jacinto

    Intermediate, Dobie High School); Clear

    Creek ISD (Westbrook Intermediate, Clear

    Springs High School); Bryan ISD (Davila

    Middle School); and other local public and

    private schools (YES Prep North Central

    and Monarch School in Houston, Our

    Lady of Fatima in Texas City, Chinquapin

    Preparatory in Baytown). Approximately

    450 students from these schools raised,

    monitored, and cared for marsh vegetation

    on their school campuses throughout the

    school year and concluded by planting a

    total of 8,480 pots of smooth cordgrass

    at local marsh restoration sites around

    Galveston Bay. Students planted their

    marsh grasses at several sites on West

    Galveston Island and at the Baytown

    Nature Center, totaling an area nearly

    two acres in size. One school on Boliva

    grew dune plants instead of marsh

    plants to help restore some of the dune

    system lost during Hurricane Ike. Also a

    part of the program, students received

    GBFs Bay Ambassador presentation

    and participated in Education Stations

    featuring ID of wetland ora and fauna

    and analysis of water quality paramete

    To learn more about getting your schoo

    involved in the Get Hip to Habitat progr

    during the 2012-13 school year, please

    contact Rani Henderson at rhenderson

    galvbay.org.

    geThipTo hABiTATFinishes successFulyeAr

    G

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    Sol marina manager.

    Marina Del Sols partnership will be driven

    by the marina staff and boaters through

    regular Bay Ambassador meetings with

    GBF staff, where they will guide the types

    of workshops and activities that will take

    place. In addition, volunteers will collect

    water quality data through the Texas

    Stream Team program and survey data

    through a volunteer Dockwalker program

    in order to measure behavior, attitude,

    he Galveston Bay Foundation recently

    launched its new Clean WaterPartnership program, a community-led

    effort to create change towards improved

    water quality. The rst partner organization,

    Marina Del Sol, is leading the way with the

    help of its proactive marina management

    team and supportive local businesses like

    Maritime Sanitation and Redsh Island

    Marine. Marina Del Sol recently sponsored

    the ofcial launch party for GBFs Clean

    Water Partnership program, giving GBF theopportunity to introduce marina tenants

    to the program with a festive crawsh boil,

    blues band, and rafe prizes.

    The program attempts to address the

    impaired water quality in Galveston Bay,

    specically, high bacteria levels in several

    portions of the Bay which has led them to

    be deemed restricted shellsh harvesting

    areas. Through collaboration with Marina

    Del Sol and various other organizations,

    GBF aims to decrease the amount of

    bacteria reaching Galveston Bay and to

    keep our waters clean for present and

    future enjoyment. Partnering with GBF

    has allowed us to reach out to many of

    our marina members, because like GBF,

    Marina Del Sol is committed to keeping

    Galveston Bay clean. We will continue to

    work with GBF in hopes of reaching more

    organizations to support our clean marina

    efforts, stated Marissa Ochoa, Marina Del

    Spr ing / Summer 2012

    and knowledge change throughout the

    partnership. Charlene Bohanon, GBFsWater Quality Outreach Specialist, feels

    that this program will allow GBF to build

    valuable relationships around the Bay an

    provide an avenue for carrying out effect

    outreach that will benet Galveston Bay,

    and ultimately the community. Please vi

    www.galvbay.org if your organization wou

    like to learn more about how it can help

    preserve, protect, and enhance Galvesto

    Bay through the Clean Water Partnership

    program.

    The Clean Water Partnership launched in April 2012 with Marina Del Sol as the firstpartnering organization.

    gBF lAunches FirsTcleAn WATer pArTnersh

    T

    This program will ...provide

    an avenue for carrying out

    effective outreach that will

    benefit Galveston Bay, and

    ultimately the community.

    -Charlene BohanonGBF Water Quality Outreach Specialist

    Marina Del Sol managers, Marissa Ochoa

    (left) and Amber Treybig (right), accept

    a certificate from GBFs Water Quality

    Outreach Specialist, Charlene Bohanon,

    signifying their official participation in

    GBFs Clean Water Partnership program.

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    Galveston Bay Foundation7

    he Galveston Bay Foundations

    Living Shorelines program is going

    strong with ve projects in the permitting

    phase, one currently under construction,

    and several on a waiting list for funding

    approval. Living Shorelines are an attractive

    shoreline erosion solution that create

    and enhance important intertidal marsh

    habitat while protecting property from

    loss due to boat wakes and wind driven

    waves. Bulkheads protect property, but

    they do not provide any habitat value. The

    Galveston Bay system has lost up to 80%of its marsh in some areas, and restoration

    of this important habitat is instrumental in

    maintaining a healthy bay.

    Last year, the Galveston Bay Foundation,

    with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

    Service (USFWS) and plants donated by

    NRG Energy in Baytown, constructed a

    300-foot rock breakwater on a portion of

    Warren Sullivans property on Trinity Bay

    and planted marsh grass behind it. Mr.

    Sullivans property has been in his family

    for generations, but the shoreline had been

    eroding at a rapid rate, causing Mr. Sullivan

    much concern. Mr. Sullivan is also a huge

    supporter of the bay and the environment,

    and so was concerned as well about the

    loss of healthy marsh habitat he had seen

    over the years. In the one year since the

    breakwater was constructed, the protected

    area behind has seen an impressive

    amount of soil accretion and the marsh

    grass that has been planted there has

    taken off. In addition, oysters have begun

    colonizing the breakwater.

    Tom and Joetta Scarborough on the

    Hitchcock Diversionary Canal approached

    GBF about installing a living shoreline

    on their property because of concerns

    about erosion and habitat loss. Again,

    with funding from the USFWS and plants

    donated by NRG, Galveston Bay Foundation

    assisted them with developing a plan,

    permitting, technical assistance, and

    planting. Because the Scarboroughs

    property is on a calmer body of water,

    dense planting without the installation

    of hard structure was sufcient to stop

    the erosion

    and restore

    habitat. Almost

    immediately

    after the grass

    was planted,

    herons and

    egrets began

    shing off of

    their shore.

    Three years later,

    their grass looks

    great, and thegrass is doing

    its job to harbor

    little sh that

    the big sh

    like, and the

    Scarboroughs are shing, too!

    If you or someone you know has waterfr

    property and wishes to enhance habitat

    well as protect their property from erosio

    the Galveston Bay Foundation can help,

    even in front of existing bulkheads or

    armoring. Please dont hesitate to call u

    visit our website for more information.

    Two Successful Case Studies

    living shorelines progrAm going sTrong

    T

    Living shorelines are attractive shoreline managem

    options that provide erosion control benefits while working w

    nature to enhance the existing natural shoreline habitat. Liv

    shorelines often allow for natural coastal processes to rem

    through the strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill a

    other structural and organic materials, as the seen here wit

    healthy marsh developing behind Mr. Sullivans breakwa

    Redfish caught off the

    Scarboroughs shoreli

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    Spr ing / Summer 2012 8

    Bike ArounDThe BAy regisTrATion conTinue

    egistration remains open for Bike

    Around the Bay as the Foundation

    gears up for another great ride! Last years

    ride drew more than 900 cyclists, and this

    years registration is expected to surpass

    that amount.

    Bike Around the Bay is a fully supported

    two-day, 180-mile bicycle ride around

    Galveston Bay showcasing the Bays natural

    beauty and beneting the Galveston Bay

    Foundation. During Bike Around the Bay,

    cyclists tour Texas Upper Gulf Coast bays,coves, and inlets and visit several bay

    area towns. Cycling enthusiasts and ride

    volunteers enjoy a weekend of camaraderie

    amidst the beautiful natural environment of

    Galveston Bay.

    This year, Bike Around the Bays route

    has been modied, allowing the

    ride to be 180 miles in length and

    a complete loop AROUND the Bay!

    This years ride starts in Mont

    Belvieu, Texas, at Barbers Hill

    High School, and continues

    down the east side of

    Galveston Bay. Riders

    spend the night in

    Galveston, where they

    enjoy a casual dinner

    with other cyclists

    and friends and family.

    Day two brings cyclists

    north along the west side

    of Galveston Bay, where they

    ultimately nish the ride

    back in Mont Belvieu. The

    rides scenic route features

    many highlights, including

    riding around the Anahuac

    National Wildlife Refuge, atop

    Galvestons famous seawall,

    and across both the Galveston

    Causeway and the Fred

    Hartman Bridge. Proceeds

    from the ride benet projects

    that preserve wetlands, protect

    natural habitats, and enhance

    the water quality of the bay for

    present users and for posterity.

    Bike Around the Bay is the premier local

    cycling event in the Houston region. Its a

    fun, unique ride that brings riders to the

    edge of Galveston Bay at multiple points

    and allows them to see the true beauty of

    the Bay, stated GBF President Bob Stokes.

    We hope you will join us for Bike

    Around the Bay 2012 sponsored by

    Shell! Please visit the Bike Around

    the Bay webpage for all the

    details and to register today!

    Changes to the event in 2012 make the route 180 miles and a complete loop around the Bay

    R

    Use your

    smart

    phone to

    register

    today!

    The new route for 2012 is a complete loop

    around Galveston Bay.

    Register today at:www.bikearoundthebay.org

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    Galveston Bay Foundation9

    ay Day 2012 drew in people from

    across the region who came to

    celebrate Galveston Bay! Thousands of

    attendees, over forty exhibitors, and more

    than one hundred volunteers helped make

    Bay Day 2012 a big success.

    Festival sponsor Reliant, an NRG company,

    had its Smarter Home on WheelsTM on-site

    to demonstrate new tools, technologies,

    and services that give consumersinnovative ways to better manage their

    electricity usage. Children enjoyed learning

    about the importance of Galveston Bay

    in our everyday lives at exhibitor booths

    including those hosted by Artist Boat,

    Baytown Nature Center, Buffalo Bayou

    Partnership, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory,

    Pew Environmental Group, Texas Marine

    Mammal Stranding Network, Texas Parks

    and Wildlife Department, and more.

    The theme of this years Bay Day Festival

    was Back the Bay. Back the Bay is an

    education and awareness campaign

    created in 2011 by the Galveston Bay

    Estuary Program. Back the Bay was

    chosen as the theme because both the

    Back the Bay campaign and the Bay Day

    Festival celebrate all that Galveston Bay

    has to offer from recreation to shing to

    serving as a beautiful tourist attraction.

    Back the Bay educates residents about

    protecting Galveston Bay, a nationally

    signicant estuary. The campaign

    offers simple tips and resources for the

    4.5 million residents in the Houston-

    Galveston region who affect the health

    of the Bay. A key message of the Back

    the Bay campaign reminds residents,Youre more connected to Galveston Bay

    than you think. The campaign works to

    improve the environmental quality of the

    Bay through three main pillars: habitat

    preservation, water conservation, and

    water quality.

    The Bay Day Festival is made possible

    through generous support from local

    sponsors, Reliant Energy, Dow Chemical,

    KBR, John P. McGovern Foundation,

    Teekay Shipping USA, Inc., and the Port

    of Houston Authority. Participation from

    many partner agencies and organizations

    such as Galveston Bay Estuary Program

    and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

    also help to make the Bay Day Festival a

    success.

    BAckingThe BAyATBAy DAy 2012!

    B

    Over 5,000 festival attendees participated in hands-on bay-related activities organized bymore than 40 exhibitors.

    Bay Day is made possible thanks

    to the following sponsors:

    Visitors participate in interactive exhibits(above)Representatives from Back the Baypartners held kick-off the campaign at BayDay 2012 (below).

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    Spr ing / Summer 2012 1

    BF extends a HUGE thanks to the

    Curlew Cousins, a local birding

    team who presented us with a $2,250

    donation collected from individual andcorporate sponsors for the Dickinson Bay

    Island II restoration project. The team of

    cousins raised the money by identifying

    128 species of birds during their 8-hour

    birding competition on April 21. Were very

    appreciative to have such young advocates

    raising funds to help in our mission, all

    while having a great time outdoors!

    BirDing ForA cAuse

    G

    The Galveston Bay Foundation ispleased to spotlight Star Fleet Yachts,

    the premier charter cruise company in the

    Galveston Bay area and a major advocate

    of GBF over the past several years. Located

    in Kemah, a few blocks from the Boardwalk,

    is where Star Fleet Yachts calls home to its

    eet of ve vessels. All of its boats are built

    with entertaining in mind, with wide open

    decks, dance oors, and dining rooms.

    These rst class features, specically those

    on the 100-foot Star Gazer, make it an ideal

    location for Redsh Raft-Up, an annual

    Weekend Party Cruise to Redsh Island

    featuring Kelly McGuire and band and

    beneting the Galveston Bay Foundation.

    Redsh Raft-Up is dedicated to Tom Lober

    of Star Fleet Yachts, who passed away in

    2009. Tom was always kind to GBF, andit was his idea several years ago to put

    together what became the annual Redsh

    Raft-Up. Current owner and daughter

    of Tom Lober, Amy Alton, has continued

    to support GBF by partnering to host

    the annual event. The Galveston Bay

    Foundation looks forward to once again

    working with Star Fleet Yachts to promote,

    protect, preserve and enhance Galveston

    Bay through Redsh Raft-Up.

    This years Redsh Raft-Up on Labor Day

    marks the 8th annual event. Redsh Raft-

    Up has a huge following of fans that come

    year after year. The Star Gazerdeparts

    from Star Fleets private marina and heads

    past the Kemah Boardwalk and out into

    Galveston Bay. The yacht then cruises eight

    miles to Redsh Island, where it dropsanchor surrounded by hundreds of boa

    wanting to join in the fun.

    SPOTLIGHT ON: sTAr FleeTyAchTs

    To order your tickets to Redfish Raft-Up 2012, visit

    www.starfleetyachts.com

    Above: Star Fleet YachtsStar Gazer isthe largest boat in its fleet and hoststhe annual Redfish Raft-Up benefitingGBF. Below: Boaters cruised up to joinin the fun at Redfish Raft-Up.

    Victoria Baker, Lauren Copeland, andRyan Baker take a photo with GBFPresident Bob Stokes after presentingtheir donation.

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    Galveston Bay Foundation11

    BF is pleased to announce the 2012

    Bay Gazer photo contest winners.

    Over forty photos focusing on the beauty

    of Galveston Bay were entered into the

    fourth annual Bay Gazer Photo Contest

    in conjunction with the Bay Day Festival.

    Finalists from each entry level--ages 14-

    17 yrs and ages 18 plus--were carefully

    selected and voted on by the public at the

    Bay Day Festival at the Kemah Boardwalk

    on Saturday, June 9. Congratulations to

    Allison Buchtien, Vivian Griffey, and Irene

    Quiroga for being this years winners!

    Winners received cash prizes donated by

    Centerpoint Energy, and their photos ar

    being showcased in a photo tour throug

    local businesses. You can view the winn

    photos on our Facebook page at www.

    facebook.com/galvestonbayfoundation

    BAy gAzer phoTo conTesTresulTs

    First place went to Irene Quirogas Last ofthe Sunlight in the 18+ category (far left) aVivian Griffeys An Eclipsed Boat in the 14 category (middle). The photos start theirtour at The Aquarium in Kemah (above)

    he Galveston Bay Foundation will

    celebrate our 25 year anniversary

    at the 2012 Guardian of the Bay AwardLuncheon on October 2 at the River Oaks

    Country Club, with The Honorable James

    A. Baker, III as our keynote speaker. Bill

    King and Laura and George Pontikes,

    Jr. are co-chairing this years event, with

    Chief Meteorologist KPRC Local 2 Frank

    Billingsley once again serving as our Master

    of Ceremonies.

    Each year the Guardian of the BayAward honors leaders who have shown

    remarkable distinction through substantial

    work and commitment for the betterment of

    Galveston Bay. We are proud to announce

    that our 2012 award recipients are:

    Industry Kirby Corporation

    Community Cynthia and Don Stevenson

    Government U.S. Congressman Gene

    Green

    We hope you will join us in celebrating

    GBFs 25th anniversary by attending this

    event, where we will look back at a rich

    history of accomplishments and look

    forward with a vision for the next 25 years

    and beyond. For more information, email

    Sharon Roark at [email protected] or visithttp://galvbay.org/events_luncheon.html

    celeBrATing 25 yeArsATgBF luncheon

    T

    G

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    Spr ing / Summer 2012 1

    alveston Bay Foundation would like

    to thank our volunteers, partners,and sponsors who participated in the 14th

    annual Marsh Mania on Saturday, May 5,

    2012. Over 225 volunteers planted more

    than 26,650 stems of smooth cordgrass at

    the Baytown Nature Center to help restore

    approximately 4 acres of habitat vital to the

    health of Galveston Bay.

    The Baytown Nature Center occupies a

    450-acre peninsula that was formerly the

    site of the Brownwood subdivision. During

    the 1960s through 1980s, this residential

    subdivision succumbed to subsidence

    in the range of 10 to 15 feet and was

    eventually destroyed by Hurricane Alicia in

    1983. Today, the nature center consists of

    a natural area of tidal wetlands, fresh an

    brackish water pools and forested islandsand a recreational area with shing piers

    walking trails, and a childrens discovery

    area.

    Marsh Mania 2012 is supported with

    funding from the national partnership

    between the NOAA Community-based

    Restoration Program and Restore Americ

    Estuaries, as well as with funding and

    donated materials and services from a

    number of local partners and sponsors.

    All marsh vegetation planted during

    Marsh Mania is donated by NRG Energy.

    The Baytown Nature Center is owned and

    operated by the City of Baytown.

    mArsh mAniA 2012

    G

    Over 225 volunteers planted 26,650 stems of smoothcordgrass to help restore four acres at Marsh Mania 2012.

    U.S

    .

    DEPARTMENT OF C

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    Marsh Mania 2012 is made possible thanks to the following sponsors:

    Volunteers had fun getting downand dirty planting marsh grass(above). Planters spread out toplant across four acres at theBaytown Nature Center (below).

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    Galveston Bay Foundation13

    Matthew Abernathy

    joined GBF as the

    Conservation Programs

    Outreach Specialist. He

    earned his B.S. in Ocean

    & Coastal Resources from Texas A&M

    University Galveston in 2003 and is

    working on his M.S. in Marine Resource

    Management at the same institution. Prior

    to joining GBF, Matt worked for the Harris

    County Precinct 4 Parks Department

    developing and implementing outdoor

    education programs. He is glad to be back

    working near the coast and is excited to

    share his passion for the outdoors and

    conserving the Galveston Bay ecosystem

    with others!

    Trey Bartschjoined

    GBF as the Marketing

    Coordinator. He graduated

    from Louisiana State

    University in May 2009

    with a B.A. in Advertising and a minor

    in Business Administration. Following

    graduation, Trey co-founded and operated

    an advertising agency where he worked

    as a Creative Director in developing and

    implementing advertising efforts. Trey

    moved to Houston in January 2011 and

    began pursuing a M.S. in Environmental

    Management from the University of

    Houston Clear Lake, with an anticipated

    graduation of May 2013. As Marketing

    Coordinator, Trey hopes to spread the

    message of the foundation by utilizing his

    marketing background with his interest

    of protecting and restoring our coastal

    environment. His goal is to raise awareness

    of our Galveston Bay system and cultivate

    lifelong supporters in preserving it for

    future generations.

    Jessica Curran joined

    GBF as the Membership

    Coordinator. She rst

    became involved with the

    foundation as a volunteer

    during Clean Up Around the Bay in 2008.

    She now serves as GBFs Membership

    Coordinator, working to sustain and grow

    membership and general support for GBF.

    Jessica graduated magna cum laude and

    with honors from Ohio State University and

    has enjoyed a six-year career in nonprot

    development. Experienced in database

    management, annual fund, membership

    programs, event fundraising, and grant

    administration, Jessica looks forward to

    helping GBF fulll its mission to preserve

    and protect Galveston Bay. In addition to

    membership efforts, Jessica coordinate

    GBFs presence at area expos and trad

    shows, manages sponsorship programs

    for GBF events including Bike Around th

    Bay, and serves as the staff liaison for T

    Cast, GBFs young professionals group.

    Daniella OConnor

    joined GBF as the

    Database and

    Administrative Assista

    Daniella graduated wi

    a Bachelors of Business Administration

    and a concentration in Marketing from

    University of New Mexico. Since moving

    Texas, she has worked with other non-

    prots and their database systems. She

    excited to be working with the Galvesto

    Bay Foundations development team on

    spreading the word on protecting the ba

    future.

    Clint Schubertjoined

    GBF in July 2012. Clin

    received a Business

    Aviation degree from

    Southern Nazarene

    University in Bethany, Oklahoma in 200

    He works part-time with GBF as the Gra

    Billing Specialist and serves in a full-tim

    capacity at a local engineering rm as t

    operations manager and accounting lea

    GBF is pleased to announce that the Reliant

    EcoShare, a program that allows Reliant Energy

    customers to help reduce their carbon footprints

    through the purchase of carbon offsets, has bee

    renewed. For each customer-purchased offset,

    Reliant will make a contribution to EarthShare

    of Texas. As a participating organization of

    EarthShare of Texas, GBF will benet from

    this program! You can nd out more at: www.

    earthshare-texas.org.

    gBF inTroDuces neW FAcesGBF welcomes new staff membersMatthew Abernathy, Trey Bartsch,

    Jessica Curran, Daniella OConnor,

    and Clint Schubert

    Reliant EcoShare Program Renewe

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    Photos in this issue of the

    GBF Gazette

    contributed by:

    Eldon Dales

    Gene Fisseler

    Vivian Griffey

    Andrew Hancock

    Irene Quiroga

    GBF Staff

    GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION

    17330 Highway 3

    Webster, TX 77598

    p: 281.332.3381

    f: 281.332.3153

    www.galvbay.org

    [email protected]

    GBF is a 501(c)(3) organization

    afliated with EarthShare of Texas and

    with Restore Americas Estuaries.

    GBF Gazette underwriting provided by

    our valued partner, the Port of HoustonAuthority.