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About Us The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC) is a non-profit, community-based volunteer organization. We sponsor, support and develop nature-based educational and recreational activities, and promote the value of the natural habitats and resources of the Galveston area. Upcoming Events
Galveston Sea Turtle Saturday Set for Feb. 25, 2012 As the 2012 Kemp's ridley nesting season approaches, join the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council to celebrate, educate and find out how YOU can become involved in helping preserve this extremely endangered species. The story of a Kemp’s ridley turtle “rock star,” current projects of the only facility in the world that raises captive sea turtles specifically for fisheries research, and a special turtle barn tour are among the activities in store for you at Galveston Sea Turtle Saturday on Feb. 25. A continental breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by presentations at 8:45 a.m. at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Ballroom, 4700 Ave. U, Building 216 in Galveston.
Dr. Joseph Flanagan, Houston Zoo veterinary service director and pro-bono veterinarian for the NOAA Fisheries Service sea turtle facility since the mid-1980s, will share “One Turtle’s Story,” the fascinating saga of a star turtle that has come full cycle, from a “head-started” hatchling to a wounded 2011 nester with a positive prognosis. Ben Higgins, NOAA Fisheries Service biologist and program manager of the Galveston sea turtle laboratory, will explain research efforts to develop turtle-friendly fishing gear, and the challenges of managing the nation’s commercial fisheries and sea turtle conservation needs. Lyndsey Howell, also a NOAA Fisheries Service biologist, will share insights of being a first responder to stranded sea turtles and explain the public’s vital role in helping with stranded and nesting turtles. Carole Allen, Gulf office director of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, will discuss the organization’s efforts to protect and restore endangered sea turtles. In 2011, a record 199 Kemp’s nestlings were found on the Texas Gulf Coast. Following the presentations, event participants will tour of the NOAA Fisheries Service sea turtle facility where more than 350 turtles are housed in 30 saltwater tanks. This Feb. 25 event is presented by the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council in partnership with the Houston Zoo, NOAA Fisheries Service, Sea Turtle Restoration Project, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The event will focus primarily on the Kemp’s ridley, which is the smallest and rarest of the seven species of sea turtles in the world,” said Susan Lewis, GINTC board vice president of education and events and long-time turtle barn volunteer. “It is the most common sea turtle found along the upper Texas Gulf coast. When full grown, it weighs 80 to100 pounds on average, and has a round or heart-shaped carapace, or top shell, between 24-28 inches long.” Event registration is $5 and participants must register in advance. Children must be age 14 or older to attend. Past Events “De Crane! De Crane!”
Here on our own Fantasy Island, on a crisp, cloudy, mid-December morning, a standing-room-only crowd of intrepid and inquiring people gathered at the Galveston Country Club for Breakfast with the Cranes. In its third year, this nature adventure has joined FeatherFest as one of the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council’s signature events. Sandhill Cranes, slightly smaller cousins of the critically endangered Whopping Cranes, spend their winters in Galveston – true snowbirds. Standing approximately three feet tall with a gray body and a red head, they are found in open fields on the west end of the island.
The morning started with a fabulous continental breakfast followed by a lecture from Joan Garland, outreach coordinator for the International Crane Foundation. This was Garland’s second appearance at the breakfast and again she captivated the audience with information about cranes, as well as ICF conservation efforts around the world. Cranes of all types are threatened with habitat loss and overhunting. Without groups such as the International Crane Foundation, many may soon disappear. Anyone who has seen a Sandhill Crane, a Whooping Crane or any of the other 13 species of cranes, knows that the world would be a less beautiful place without them. After the program, the group set out to see the cranes. Three caravans were led by some of the area’s best birding experts, so there was a bonus of having them identify other birds that also call Galveston home for the winter or all year long.
The sky had cleared, the temperature was perfect and all said, 145 cranes were sighted. For these sandies and others, Galveston is their Fantasy Island, at least during the winter months. Some 350 local students also learned about cranes, as part of Breakfast with the Crane’s new educational outreach component. Garland made special presentations at Oppe Elementary and Ambassador Preparatory Academy. In addition, Oppe students participated in a Sandhill Crane art contest. Garland shared art from students in Russia so the children were able to see that students across the world see cranes in the same way that they do. Oppe’s art contest winners were recognized at the breakfast event, and drawings from all of the contestants were displayed. This outreach effort was such a success, it will be included in future breakfast activities. Breakfast with the Cranes will continue to be an annual event on the second Saturday of December. So mark your calendar now for Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. at the Galveston Country Club. The cranes will be coming – how about you? East End Nature Safari Filled with Kayaks, Birds and Fun
Close to 100 members and friends of Galveston Nature Tourism enjoyed the natural wonders of Galveston Island like never before at the East End Nature Safari. The event offered an afternoon of free outdoor adventures and guided exploration for family members of all ages at the site of the future East End Lagoon Park and Nature Preserve. Activities included expert-led easy kayak exploration of the lagoon, interpreted bird and wildlife watching atop the preserve’s observation towers (some 20 species of birds were sighted), marine life seining demonstrations and guided beach combing. Nature photographers took their own safari into in this wildlife wonderland.
“We wanted to raise awareness of the natural recreational resources on Galveston’s east end,” said Bets Anderson, Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council board member and East End Nature Safari coordinator. “Exploration of this public park and nature preserve provided a unique opportunity to learn about its plant and animal life as well as the importance of respecting natural habitats. We hope everyone who participated had a great time!” GINTC would like to thank the following event partners for sharing their time and talents: Artist Boat, City of Galveston East End Lagoon Committee, Friends of Galveston Island State Park, Galveston Bay Area Texas Master Naturalists, Galveston Beach Patrol, Galveston Ornithological Society, Galveston Park Board and Unitarian Universalists.
Key Projects FeatherFest
GINTC’s signature project is the Island’s annual birding and nature festival held the second weekend in April during early spring migration. Galveston is one of the top locations in the country for birding because it hosts a wide variety of habitats in a small geographical area where some 300 species make their permanent or temporary home throughout the year. The Island also sits astride the 95th meridian, the dead center of trans-Gulf migration routes. Some 5,000 people participated in FeatherFest 2011 field trips, workshops, and educational outreach activities, and close to 200 species of birds were sighted. The 10th Annual FeatherFest will be held April 12 – 15, 2012. Photo Fest, the popular new track of field trips and workshops for photographers, will be expanded. Details of the 2012 Festival will be posted here soon: www.GalvestonFeatherFest.com.
Nature Observation Towers In partnership with the City of Galveston and Galveston Park Board, GINTC has installed three nature observation towers in the East End Lagoon Park. They are being refurbished and should be open to the public for use later this year.
GINTC has created five educational story boards that are installed in and around Ft. Crockett Park at 47th and Seawall Boulevard. Galveston Island Birding Tours GINTC has organized a team of naturalist volunteers to escort media groups, teachers and other similar groups on tours of Island birding hot spots. This is a community service project for the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and helps spread the word that birding in the area is among the best in the USA. Galveston Island Great Birding Guide The Nature Tourism Council, in partnership with the Park Board, developed a guide to the area’s top birding locations. Different birding habitats such as beaches and bays, bay marshes and wetlands, coastal prairies and upland wood motts are described in detail. A map and seasonal checklist of birds sighted are also included. Click here to download a PDF of the Great Birding guide, or pick one up from tourism brochure racks throughout southeast Texas. 2011 – 2012 GINTC Board of Directors
GINTC Membership Membership in GINTC is open to everyone. Annual dues for individuals are $35; family membership is $70; sustaining membership is $300 and lifetime membership is $500. Membership entitles you to notification of all GINTC meetings and sponsored events and eligibility for committee participation for FeatherFest and other GINTC programs. Monies collected from memberships are used to further GINTC programs and projects. Web Site and Contact Information Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council
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