Beaches, bayous and coastal prairie! Galveston Island offers an amazing natural array of fauna, flora and lots of opportunity to enjoy and explore the outdoors even in the winter months. Whether you are visiting the island or call it home, please come along and be introduced to the wonderful natural world of Galveston Island. Join us for any or all of the winter activities.
Most of the activities REQUIRE an RSVP, sign up info is noted on each activity.
These activities are designed for adults 18 years or older.
Date: January 3, Friday
Time: 7:00am – 9:30am
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Moody Gardens west parking lot north tram stop
Questions Call: 409.683.4101
Free, No RSVP needed
3.6-mile walking route around Moody Gardens property recording all species and individuals of birds encountered. The habitat is a combination of upland marsh, intertidal saltmarsh, bay, and woodlot. We’ll mainly use paved pathways with manicured landscape areas, but there will be some walking through a bit higher grass, marsh habitat and possibly moist/muddy conditions depending on rain and tides. Restrooms are available in buildings along the route. Bring sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars.
For the Moody Gardens Houston Audubon survey calendar click the link here.
Date: January 4, Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Leader: GINTC Staff or Volunteer
Where: East End Lagoon Nature Preserve (Directions will be emailed prior to the activity)
Free, Click here to register
Join GINTC staff/volunteers for a nature outing at the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve. As you explore the Preserve, you will learn about the unique habitats present and view a variety of birds that depend on the Preserve for food and shelter.
Date: January 10, Friday
Time: 7:00am – 8:30 am
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Moody Gardens Golf Course – clubhouse, 1700 Syndor Lane
Questions: Call 409.683.4101
Free, Click here to register. Limited to 5 participants
Date: January 11, Saturday
Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Initial meet up site at Rosenberg Library front staircase (stairs facing 23rd St.)
FREE, Registration details below
Can your team solve the riddles on our Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt to follow the trail across Galveston Island to the party at the end? Find out in this fun, fast-paced event created by Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun! Teams of 2-4 people will travel in their own vehicles, competing for inaugural bragging rights in this first annual event as they decipher clues leading them from our starting point at Rosenberg Library to a series of beautiful destinations. Will your team be first, or be the last? Either way, you’ll have a blast! Party will include a light meal to be provided by GINTC.
Once you have chosen your teammates, click here to register. NOTE: When registering, register yourself first and then add 2-3 people as your guests to make your team.
Date: January 14, Tuesday
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Presenter: Kristine Rivers, Birding for Fun
Where: Wortham Auditorium, Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy
FREE, Click Here to Register
Fascinated with bird behavior? So are we! Join Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun for this fun video presentation showing a variety of birds in action to learn how you can use behavior to help with identification.
Date: January 14, Tuesday
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm, Meet and Greet: 6:00pm
Where: Wortham Auditorium, Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy
FREE, No RSVP necessary
Date: January 18, Saturday
Time: 8:00am-12:00pm
Free, No RSVP necessary
Date: January 22, Wednesday
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Leader: Kristine Rivers
Where: Lee and Joe Jamail Bay Park at Offatt’s Bayou, 1600 61st St. Galveston
Free, Click here to register
Join Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun for a caravan-style crawl highlighting some of the best birding spots in Galveston’s West End. We’ll watch for birds and wildlife along the way as we explore each location before moving to the next hotspot. Participants are encouraged to bring along a camera and/or binoculars. We will meet at Lee and Joe Jamail Bay Park at Offatt’s Bayou; carpooling is encouraged. Please plan to dress for the weather, as it is likely to be chilly and windy; layers are usually best. Hiking boots or good walking shoes appropriate for wet and sandy conditions are highly recommended, and insect repellant is always good to have on hand. Easy to moderate activity level.
Date: January 24, Friday
Time: 6:30pm
Facilitator: Kristine Rivers
Where: Gypsy Joynt, 6105 Stewart Rd, Galveston
Free, Click here to register. NOTE: When registering a team, 1 person will register the whole team. One team is allowed up to 4 people only.
Think you know all about Texas wildlife? Put a team together and test your knowledge in this entertaining trivia game created by Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun. You’re sure to have a great time and learn a lot in the process from this passionate Texas Master Naturalist. Score points by being the first team to answer the question correctly, but watch out! Get it wrong and another team can steal your points! The team with the highest score at the end wins. The event will be held at Gypsy Joynt restaurant, an Island favorite with a fun and eclectic ambiance! We encourage you to order dinner and/or drinks from their extensive menu, which offers a wide array of options including pizza, sandwiches and wraps, seafood, chicken wings, all-day breakfast, fresh bakery goods, and more.
Date: January 28, Tuesday
Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Leader: Kristine Rivers
Location: Meet up location to be determined
Free, Click here to register
Enjoy leisurely winter birding and sunset photography during this late afternoon outing led by Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun. (Meeting location TBD.) Participants are encouraged to bring along a camera and/or binoculars. Please plan to dress for the weather, as it is likely to be chilly and windy; layers are usually best. Hiking boots or good walking shoes appropriate for wet and sandy conditions are highly recommended, and insect repellant is always good to have on hand. Easy activity level.
Date: February 1, Saturday
Time: 9:00am – 10:00am
Leader: GINTC Staff or Volunteer
Where: East End Lagoon Nature Preserve (Directions will be emailed prior to the activity)
Free, Click Here to Register
Join GINTC staff/volunteers for a nature outing at the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve. As you explore the Preserve, you will learn about the unique habitats present and view a variety of birds that depend on the Preserve for food and shelter.
Date: February 7, Friday
Time: 7:00am – 9:30am
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Moody Gardens west parking lot north tram stop
Questions: call 409.683.4101
FREE, No RSVP needed
3.6-mile walking route around Moody Gardens property recording all species and individuals of birds encountered. The habitat is a combination of upland marsh, intertidal saltmarsh, bay, and woodlot. We’ll mainly use paved pathways with manicured landscape areas, but there will be some walking through a bit higher grass, marsh habitat and possibly moist/muddy conditions depending on rain and tides. Restrooms are available in buildings along the route. Remember your sunscreen, bug spray and binoculars.
For the Moody Gardens Houston Audubon survey calendar click the link here.
Date: February 7, Friday
Time: 6:30pm
Facilitator: Kristine Rivers
Where: Gypsy Joynt, 6105 Stewart Rd, Galveston
Free, Click here to register. NOTE: When registering a team, 1 person will register the whole team. One team is allowed up to 4 people only.
Ready for a rematch? Retain your title, redeem your wounded pride, or shake up the competition with a new team in round 2 of our entertaining Texas Wildlife Trivia Game created by Kristine Rivers of Birding for Fun. The team with the highest score at the end wins! The event will be held at Gypsy Joynt restaurant, an Island favorite with a fun and eclectic ambiance! We encourage you to order dinner and/or drinks from their extensive menu.
Date: February 8, Saturday
Time: 8:00am – 11:00am
Where: Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston
Tickets: $15 per person, Registration opening soon.
Must be 12 or older to attend. 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Before the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles head to Galveston beaches for nesting season this spring, make plans to learn about these fascinating creatures at Sea Turtle Saturday on February 8th, at an informative and engaging seminar presented by the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC). Participants will hear presentations from representatives of Turtle Island Restoration Network, Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary, and the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research at Texas A & M University. Presentation topics and registration information coming soon. Light breakfast, coffee and juice served.
Date: February 11, Tuesday
Time: 10:00am – 12:00am
Leader: Kristine Rivers
Where: Fox Room at the Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave. Galveston
Free, Click here to register
Date: February 11, Tuesday
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm, Meet and Greet: 6:00pm
Where: Wortham Auditorium, Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy
FREE, No RSVP necessary
Date: February 14, Friday
Time: 7:00am – 8:30 am
Leader: Greg Whittaker
Where: Moody Gardens Golf Course – clubhouse, 1700 Syndor Lane
Questions: call 409.683.4101
Free, Click here to register. – limited to 5 participants
Date: February 15, Saturday
Time: 8:00am-12:00pm
Free, No RSVP necessary
Date: February 19, Wednesday
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Leader: Kristine Rivers
Where: Initial meet at Fort San Jacinto Historic Point
Free, Click here to register