Land protection is critical to coastal conservation efforts
Land is arguably Texas’ greatest asset, and we have lots of it. Our history as a privately-owned state is something Texans are proud of. But our landscape is rapidly changing as urban centers continue to encroach upon open spaces, threatening not only our coastal environments, but a way of life many have enjoyed for generations.
Texas needs land. We need it for agriculture, we need it for recreation and we need it for air and water quality. We need it for our health and for the health of our children.
The Texas coast has never experienced as much pressure on our natural resources as we are experiencing today. Right now, there are fewer acres of habitat and more pressures on them. This could threaten our ability to provide today’s opportunities to future generations.
At Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF), we recognize these troubling trends and have been working to protect the natural landscape surrounding Galveston Bay. For over 25 years, GBF has partnered with private landowners, government agencies, local businesses and charitable foundations to permanently protect more than 8,000 acres of coastal habitat within the Galveston Bay watershed.
As an Accredited land trust, we comply with rigorous standards and practices set by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission to ensure we conserve the places people love in the best way possible. This not only helps us maximize our time, efforts and financial resources, but ensures our work is going to stand the test of time.
But we don’t just work to conserve land – we want to connect people to nature. In October, GBF opened the Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve to the public. The property consists of 514 acres of wetland, prairie and forested habitats along Turtle Bayou and Lake Anahuac in Chambers County.
“We want to encourage people to come out and walk the trails and enjoy the wildlife and scenery from our elevated viewing towers. It is a beautiful area,” said Anna Deichmann, GBF Land Stewardship Coordinator.
The Nature Preserve offers a kayak launch, three viewing platforms, and several hiking trails. It is open to the public during daylight hours, seven days a week.
For more information on the Turtle Bayou Nature Preserve, visit www.galvbay.org/turtlebayou.