gbf celebrates 25 years - Galveston Bay Foundation

In This Issue:
Winter 2013
GBF Young
Professionals Group
Growing
2012 Bike Around the
Bay a Great Success
Page 2
GBF Creates Water
Quality Reporting
Site
Page 3
Page 6
Also Inside:
Letter From Our President
1
Redfish Raft-Up 2012
5
Support GBF Through Workplace
Giving
5
Students Illustrate the Beauty and
Multiple Uses of Galveston Bay
7
National Estuaries Day Celebrated
at Fall Marsh Mania
9
GBF Welcomes New Education
Coordinator
10
Spotlight on GBF
Volunteers
Page 10
GBF CeleBrates 25 Years
Galveston Bay Foundation celebrates 25 years of protecting
Galveston Bay at the Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon
T
his year, the Galveston Bay Foundation
celebrates a very significant milestone-our
25th anniversary since our founding in 1987.
Our first 25 years have been full of projects
and programs in pursuit of our mission. Some
of these include the preservation, protection,
and restoration of over 16,500 acres of
habitat around Galveston Bay; the protection
of over 16 miles of Galveston Bay shorelines
from continued erosion; the involvement of
over 6,600 citizens in planting approximately
200 acres of marsh at 70 sites through 14
consecutive years of “Marsh Mania” events;
outreach and education of tens of thousands
of school children through programs such as
Bay Ambassadors, the Children’s Art Calendar,
Get Hip to Habitat, Bay Day, and education
booths; the continuance of the wetland permit
review committee for 23 years; success in
bringing the National Estuary Program to
Galveston Bay and in support of the passage
of state and federal legislation on behalf of the
Bay; involvement with the national consortium,
Restore America’s Estuaries, for 16 years; and
our instrumental role in Galveston Bay being
named as a “Great Water” by America’s Great
Waters’ Coalition.
While we’ve commemorated our 25th
anniversary throughout the year, perhaps
our biggest celebration to-date has been
our Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon,
held on October 2 at the River Oaks Country
Club. Luncheon co-chairs, Laura & George A.
Pontikes, Jr. and William E. (Bill) King joined
nearly 500 guests to commemorate our
25th anniversary as well as to honor Kirby
Continued on page 7
“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 posTeriTy.“
1
G a l ve s t o n B ay Fo u n d a t i o n
Bob Stokes
President
Ext. 211
Matthew Abernathy
Conservation Programs
Outreach Specialist
Ext. 203
Rachel Barski
Education Coordinator
Ext. 212
Trey Bartsch
Marketing Coordinator &
Gazette Editor
Ext. 208
Charlene Bohanon
Water Quality Outreach
Specialist
Ext. 215
Jessica Curran
Membership Coordinator
Ext. 213
Rani Henderson
Manager of Education
Programs
Ext. 212
Scott A. Jones
Director of Advocacy
Ext. 209
Julie Mintzer
Director of
Community Programs
Ext. 207
Daniella O’Connor
Database and
Administrative Assistant
Ext. 208
Sharon Roark
Director of Development
Ext. 204
Clint Schubert
Grants Billing Specialist
Ext. 202
Matt Singer
Conservation Lands
Manager
Ext. 206
Courtney Smith
Vice President of
Operations
Ext. 214
Philip Smith
Director of Conservation
Ext. 210
Justine Townsend
Accounting Manager
Ext. 202
Lee Anne Wilde
Living Shorelines Program
Manager
Ext. 205
From Our President:
40 Years
O
oF the
Clean water aCt
n October 18, 2012, our nation marked
the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water
Act (“CWA”). It was a significant anniversary,
as the Act is known in the conservation and
environmental community as one of the most
successful environmental laws that has ever
been passed. Since the Act’s passage, the
discharge of organic wastes from publicly owned
treatment waste treatment facilities around the
country has dropped by 46%, and more than a
billion pounds per year of toxic pollutants have
been removed from our nation’s waterways.
The rate at which wetlands are being lost has
declined approximately 90% since the early 70s,
and the amount of oil spilled into our waters has
fallen to one tenth of 70s levels. Beyond these
facts and figures, you can see the difference in
Galveston Bay. The Bay is undoubtedly cleaner
today than in 1972, and we have the CWA to
thank for that success.
In addition to the
problems with
nonpoint source
runoff, the scope
of the CWA has
been significantly
narrowed
through judicial
interpretation.
Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay
Beginning in 2001
Foundation President
with the SWANCC
decision and
continuing with later decisions like the Rapanos
decision, the United States Supreme Court has
significantly limited the definition of “water of the
U.S.” and “navigable waters” so that many of our
freshwater wetlands are no longer protected under
the CWA. These decisions have had significant
negative impact locally, as thousands of acres
of freshwater wetlands in the
To continue to succeed in
watershed surrounding Galveston
our efforts to preserve and Bay have been filled in the last
However, some also look at
protect Galveston Bay, it is ten years. Fortunately, the current
the Act as a glass half-full/
imperative that we ensure Administration is considering a
half empty picture. Despite
the law’s target of making all a strong and vibrant CWA rules package that will restore
stays in place.
of the nation’s waters fishable
these protections to the CWA, but
and swimmable by 1985, an
it is unclear if and when those
estimated 35% of U.S. waters remain unfit for
rules will be finalized. (You may still submit
fishing and swimming today. Robert Adler, an
comments at www.whitehouse.gov encouraging the
environmental lawyer who wrote a book on the
Administration to make these rules final.)
CWA’s 20th anniversary, says that while the
CWA has been successful in reducing pollution
In summary, we have had incredible successes
from major sources, it has been less effective
over the last 40 years with the Clean Water Act,
at curbing pollutants from nonpoint sources—
and there is much of which we can be proud.
runoff from cities, farms, and other intensive
Our nation’s waters and Galveston Bay have truly
land uses. Nonpoint source runoff has not been benefited from the Act. But we cannot take those
subject to nearly as strict a regulatory regime,
successes for granted. The job is far from done,
and the consensus is that those programs have
and there are forces working to weaken to CWA as
not been as successful. This, too, is apparent
it enters its fifth decade. To continue to succeed in
around Galveston Bay, as nearly all of our major our efforts to preserve and protect Galveston Bay,
tributaries fail to meet all of our water quality
it is imperative that we ensure a strong and vibrant
standards. Our partner entity, the Galveston Bay CWA stays in place.
Estuary Program, identifies contaminated storm
water runoff as the top water quality problem
facing Galveston Bay.
Winter 2013
2
GBF’s YounG ProFessional GrouP launChed and GrowinG
Unique social and service events and fieldwork opportunities draw working professionals
and college students to “The Cast” to become stewards of the bay
T
he Galveston Bay Foundation
launched its new affiliate young
professionals group, The Cast, in spring
2012. Cast members raise awareness
of the importance of Galveston Bay and
become leaders in Houston’s conservation
community, helping GBF better fulfill its
mission. The Cast is a diverse group of
working professionals who engage in a
variety of recreational, educational, and
service events and gather to celebrate
the bay during quarterly happy hours. In
addition, a Cast collegiate group provides
unique field experience and professional
networking opportunities for undergraduate
and graduate level students.
GBF thanks our former legal intern Clayton
Forswall, and friends Lauren Bricker, Melissa
Denman, and Frank Donnelly, founding
Cast committee members, for their vision
and drive to launch a young professionals
group this year. Special thanks also goes
to Rebecca Gregg, a senior at Texas A&M
in Galveston and a 2012 summer intern at
GBF, for her work to establish a collegiate
group and promote GBF’s programming
to student organizations throughout the
greater Houston area. With their leadership
and endless energy, GBF looks forward to
growing an active young professionals group
with members who enjoy
serving as ambassadors for
and stewards of the bay.
Since the group’s launch
in April, Cast members
have participated in GBF’s
Marsh Mania grass planting
event celebrating National
Estuaries Day on September
29 and celebrated at happy
hours taking place at Ragin’
Cajun and Boheme Café
& Wine Bar in Houston. November events
included attending The Progressive Forum
featuring Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., networking
with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s Bayou
Buddies at a happy hour at J. Black’s, and
celebrating GBF’s 25th anniversary with GBF
members and volunteers on November 27.
To celebrate the holidays this December, Cast
members attended a watch party of League
City’s 51st Annual Christmas Lane Boat
Parade at Portofino Harbour Marina at special
invitation from GBF Trustee Philip Kropf.
GBF looks forward to seeing existing and new
Cast members at happy hours and project
events in the new year. The Cast committee
will meet in January (and regularly throughout
the year) to discuss partnership and project
Top and middle: Young professionals
ideas. We are interested in growing our
attend The Cast happy hour at Boheme
Cafe & Wine Bar this summer. Bottom: Cast
leadership committee in 2013. If you’re
members Clayton and Emily Forswall plant
a young professional or a college student
marsh grass at Marsh Mania.
interested in serving on The Cast leadership
committee, please contact Jessica at
jcurran@galvbay.org or (281) 332-3381 x213. events by liking our group page on Facebook.
Questions? Contact Jessica at jcurran@
galvbay.org or (281) 332-3381 x213.
For more information on the benefits of Cast
membership or to join the group, please visit
The Cast website at www.galvbay.org/thecast.
html. You can stay up-to-date on current
Please minimize your use of the garbage disposal so you do not accidently contribute to sewer
overflows. Instead of putting vegetables and fruits down the disposal, compost them or throw them in
the trash. Place non-compostable items like meat in the trash. And never place any fats, oils or
grease (FOG) in the disposal or any other drain; they can cause clogs in your plumbing or in sewer lines
and lead to overflows of untreated sewage that drain to the bay.
3
Galveston Bay Foundation
BiKe around the BaY raises environmental awareness
GBF showcases Galveston Bay to a new record number of registered cyclists, as the ride
continues to grow and improve
M
ore than 750 riders, ranging in age
from nine to 85, pedaled 180 miles
around Galveston Bay during the sixth
annual Bike Around the Bay on October 13
and 14. For the third year in a row, Shell was
the title sponsor of this two-day event that
raises awareness of Galveston Bay and the
importance of the Galveston Bay Foundation’s
conservation and restoration work. The
combined generosity of Shell, several other
event sponsors, and the personal fundraising
efforts of more than 960 registered cyclists
raised more than $310,000. These funds
enable GBF to continually improve the ride
and carry out our mission of preserving,
protecting, and enhancing Galveston Bay.
GBF President Bob Stokes stated, “This ride
supports our efforts to preserve wetlands,
protect natural habitat, and enhance the
water quality of the bay. We give riders a frontrow seat to the bay during this ride, and it
helps in our education work and advocacy.”
This year was particularly momentous as
it marked the first time that Bike Around
the Bay cyclists circumnavigated Galveston
Bay. Cyclists began and ended their ride
in Mont Belvieu, passing
through several bay
area communities
and natural areas
throughout the
weekend. On day
one, cyclists
rode
the Bay and a feature of the route that cyclists
by the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
prepare for and talk about throughout the ride.
and through High Island (the highest point
This year, the bridge gained more significance.
on the Gulf Coast between the Yucatan
During Bike Around the Bay 2010, cyclists
Peninsula and Alabama) before stopping
John Clem and Rese Fox met and became
for lunch at Stingaree Restaurant & Marina.
friends. On day two of this year’s ride, cyclists
This lunch stop, manned by GBF Board
climbing to the top of the bridge passed over
Member Mike Petit and friends as well
a spray painted sign reading, “Rese, will you
as Stingaree employees, is a highlight for
marry me?” Rese said yes to John’s proposal
riders as the seating area overlooks the
at the top of the Fred Hartman Bridge, and
Intracoastal Waterway in Crystal Beach.
they celebrated their engagement and
Cyclists then enjoyed a ride on the Bolivar
another successful ride at the finish line.
Ferry to Galveston Island, where they stayed
Congratulations, John and Rese!
overnight. A dinner at Moody Gardens Hotel
and Conference Center
We give riders a front-row Views of Galveston Bay
provided an opportunity
seat to the bay during
throughout the ride are another
for cyclists to visit with
this ride, and it helps in
highlight of Bike Around the
friends, family, and other
our
education
work
and
Bay. Senator Rodney Ellis,
riders and to learn more
one of this year’s cyclists,
advocacy.
about GBF’s work to
shared, “There’s really no way
preserve the bay over the
- Bob Stokes
you would experience what
last 25 years.
GBF President
Galveston Bay has to offer
unless you’re on a bicycle. You get to see a lot
On the second day, cyclists crossed over the
Galveston Causeway, rode along the Texas City of things that you really wouldn’t pay attention
to if you’re in a car. It’s a real chance to get
levee and through the bayside communities
up close and personal with the bay.” Ellis also
of Kemah and Seabrook, enjoyed lunch
credits Shell for its involvement with the ride,
prepared by longtime Bike Around the Bay
stating, “You don’t realize what an important
volunteers and served by CenterPoint Energy
role energy companies, like Shell, play in
volunteers at Sylvan Beach Park in La Porte,
protecting this bay. I appreciate Shell for doing
and conquered the Fred Hartman Bridge on
it and hope they will continue to do so for
their way back to Mont Belvieu.
many years to come.”
The Fred Hartman Bridge has always been
one of the most defining
highlights of Bike Around
Continued on page 9
Winter 2013
A BIG thanks to our top 20
fundraisers in 2012!
Russ Boullion
Michael McKenzie
Bob Stokes
Scott Aspelin
Jason Hughes
Madeline Woods
David Freeman
David Eskins
Morris Olivier
Jonathon Moore
Rick Hauck
Courtenay Clifford
Theodore Brooks
Blaine Douglas
Greg Blackburn
Steven Mugridge
Julienne Sugarek
Lythia Powell
Kim Lyrtle
Ben Davila
Kira Matukaitis
Paul Hesson
And a special thanks
to Jeff Myerson, GBF
Board Member, and Bob
Stokes, GBF President,
for riding in Bike Around
the Bay 2012!
4
5
Galveston Bay Foundation
redFish raFt-uP 2012
Annual party on Galveston Bay brings awareness to the Bay and helps fund GBF restoration projects
F
or the eighth year, bay enthusiasts
Redfish Raft-Up began in 2002, when the
came by the hundreds to join in the fun owner of Star Fleet Yachts, Tom Lober, had
and listen to Kelly McGuire play from the Star the idea to hold a party on the Bay each
Gazer yacht during Redfish Raft-Up. The event year to benefit GBF. Sadly, Tom passed away
is held each year on Labor Day at Redfish
in 2009. Since then, Redfish Raft-Up has
Island to bring awareness to Galveston Bay,
continued each year in memory of Tom Lober.
with a percentage
Amy Alton, Tom’s
Not only is Redfish Raft-Up important
of the profits
daughter and current
because of our customers, but it’s
donated directly to
owner of Star Fleet
important because of our staff members
the Galveston Bay
Yachts, explains the
who
love
working
it,
and
our
company
as
Foundation. This
importance of the
support to the Galveston Bay Foundation. event: “Not only is
year’s event sold
out early, with 100+
the Redfish Raft-Up
- Amy Alton
Owner, Star Fleet Yachts
people reserving
important because of
their spot on the
our customers, but it’s
Star Gazer, which included dinner and drinks important because of our staff members who
and up-close access to the concert.
love working it, and our company as support
to the Galveston Bay Foundation.”
GBF would like to thank Star Fleet Yachts for
their continuous support of the Galveston Bay
Foundation, as well as Maritime Sanitation,
the Port of Houston Authority, and Dow
Chemical for sponsoring for this year’s event.
Below: Attendees on the Star Gazer and on
personal watercraft enjoy music by local
musician Kelly McGuire.
suPPort GBF throuGh worKPlaCe GivinG!
Government and corporate employees can easily contribute to GBF through payroll deduction
T
he Galveston Bay Foundation partners
with EarthShare of Texas to provide
an opportunity for city, state, federal,
earthshare-texas.org/workplace-givingcampaigns.org.
If your company or agency does not offer
EarthShare of Texas as a workplace giving
option and you would like more information,
and corporate employees to support
environmental organizations through
workplace giving and payroll deduction.
If you work for a participating company
or government agency, please consider
GBF when making your workplace giving
decisions!
Galveston Bay Foundation codes for a few of
the largest participating agencies including:
Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC): 182557
State Employee Combined
Campaign (SECC): 035599
Houston Combined Municipal
Campaign (HCMC): 1484
Houston Independent School
District (HISD): 192
City of Austin (COACCC): 1813
please contact Jessica Curran at (281) 3323381 x213 or jcurran@galvbay.org.
For a list of participating government
agencies and companies, visit EarthShare
of Texas’s Workplace Giving website, www.
To learn more about EarthShare of Texas
and their work to support the Galveston Bay
Foundation and over 70 other local, regional,
and national environmental and conservation
organizations, visit www.earthshare-texas.org.
Winter 2013
6
GBan Created For water QualitY rePortinG
Galveston Bay Action Network (GBAN) tracks water pollution reports and positive actions to
improve water quality
H
ave you ever wondered who to call
when you see water pollution, or
what happens after you report a potential
violation to an enforcement agency? GBF
has developed the Galveston Bay Action
Network (GBAN), a web app that allows
you to map your water pollution reports
and send them to GBF and provides links
to contact information for submitting
reports to local authorities. Submitting a
GBAN report is quick and simple, can be
done from a computer or smartphone, and
allows you to upload a video or photo of the
incident. GBAN also contains categories
for reporting positive actions that you take
to keep our water clean, such as picking
up trash and properly disposing of cooking
grease. You can even choose for your report
to be posted anonymously, which is an
attractive option for those who want to do
the right thing but may not be comfortable
with their name being broadcast.
The goal of GBAN is to use the power
of internet technology and citizen
involvement to make reporting water
quality concerns easier. GBF believes
that community members can be
extremely powerful advocates for
clean water when they know their
efforts are leading to positive results
for our bay. GBAN has the ability
to bridge the communication gap
between citizens submitting a report
and enforcement action being taken by
allowing GBF to track and follow up on
these reports. As a GBAN user, you will
have the option to setup a profile page
for managing your reports and can earn
badges in recognition for your reporting
activity. You can also choose to receive
email alerts when new reports are posted
by selecting your area of concern on the
map and specifying the types of reports
that interest you.
Those wishing to report water pollution or view
our interactive map, can visit www.galvbay.org/
gban.html
Check out the Galveston Bay Action
Network at www.galvbay.org/GBAN and
start submitting reports and positive
actions today! For questions or to request
for your group to receive a live demo,
contact Charlene Bohanon at cbohanon@
galvbay.org. Please help us spread the word
about GBAN and recruit your friends to “Be
the Eyes on Your Bay!”
7
Galveston Bay Foundation
students illustrate the BeautY and
multiPle uses oF Galveston BaY
GBF showcases the natural beauty of Galveston Bay through the
annual childen’s art calendar.
G
alveston Bay represents many
things to the people who live,
work, and recreate nearby--a profitable
commercial fishery, international shipping
channel and port, petrochemical capitol,
tourism and ecotourism destination,
recreational haven, and an intimate way
of life. To the abundance of plants and
animals found in Galveston Bay, it is a
600+ square mile haven of shelter and
food sources consisting of diverse habitats
such as marshes, seagrass meadows,
oyster reefs, riparian woodlands, rookery
islands, mud and sand flats, and open bay
water and bottom.
GBF’s educational programs aim to
increase the recognition of the positive
quality-of-life benefits that a healthy
Galveston Bay system provides for the
entire Houston-Galveston region. One
of the ways in which we strive to do so
is through our annual Galveston Bay
Children’s Art Calendar.
Each year, fifth graders from the Galveston
Bay area depict the beauty and multiple
uses of Galveston Bay through artwork. In
preparation for this, GBF’s education staff
provides students with an introduction
to Galveston Bay through our popular
Bay Ambassador presentation. Students
then do their own research and convey
their new knowledge and views of the bay
through the visual arts.
Out of the hundreds of artworks prepared
by students, GBF selects fourteen winners
to be highlighted in the annual Galveston
Bay Children’s Art Calendar. GBF works
to widely distribute these one-of-a-kind
calendars to inspire people to recognize
and respect the multitude of ways that
Galveston Bay benefits us all.
The calendar is currently in production, so
be on the lookout for your 2013 calendar
in January!
www.galvbay.org
GBF Celebrate 25 Years
(continued from cover)
Corporation, Congressman Gene Green,
and Cynthia and Don Stevenson for their
continued stewardship of Galveston Bay.
Some of GBF’s original trustees, including
Jim Blackburn, George Bolin, Glenda
Callaway, Frank Fisher, Terry Hershey,
Ray Holbrook, Frank Smith, and Sharron
Stewart were in attendance at the event and
were recognized for their roles in founding
GBF in 1987. Current trustees presented
GBF President Bob Stokes with a gift of
appreciation for his contributions toward
GBF’s success.
From the beginning, the Galveston Bay
Foundation was designed to involve a true
cross-section of Bay interests to address
issues and concerns related to Galveston
Bay, and this approach continues today.
Keynote speaker, The Honorable James
A. Baker, III, praised the Galveston Bay
Foundation for its consensus building
approach and spoke about the multiple
benefits of the proposed Lone Star Coastal
National Recreation Area. Local news
celebrity and Galveston supporter, Frank
Billingsley, emceed this year’s event, and
luncheon guests included community and
industry notables Philamena and Arthur
Baird, Berdon Lawrence, John Nau, Joe
Pyne, and former Houston Mayor Bill White.
We sincerely thank you for all that you have
done to help us get where we are today
and to guide us in embarking on our next
25 years. The Galveston Bay Foundation is
a community-based organization, and our
activities simply do not happen without the
support of our members, volunteers, donors,
and stakeholders.
Winter 2013
8
2012 Guardian of the Bay Award Luncheon
Thank you to our Sponsors
Guardian
Kirby Corporation ~ Kathrine G. McGovern/McGovern Foundation
Protector
Apache Corporation ~ Bill King/Southwest Airport Services ~ NRG Energy
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. ~ Cynthia and Don Stevenson/Madlin Stevenson Foundation
Advocate
Exxon Mobil Corporation ~ The Friedkin Group ~ Burkely and Tim Herbert
KBR, Inc. ~ John W. Lodge, III/Lodge Lumber Company
Martin Marine ~ The Modern Group, Ltd / The Will Crenshaw Family
Doug Pitcock ~ Port of Houston Authority ~ Rosemary and Matt Schatzman ~ Shell and Motiva
Texas Corinthian Yacht Club ~ Texas Waterway Operators Association ~ Vinson & Elkins LLP
Donor
The AECOM and Gahagan & Bryant Joint Venture ~ Amegy Bank ~ Baker Botts L.L.P.
Bud Light/Silver Eagle Distributors ~ Buffalo Marine Service, Inc. ~ CenterPoint Energy
City of Nassau Bay ~ DeMontrond Automotive Group ~ The Dow Chemical Company
Doyle, Restrepo, Harvin & Robbins, LLP ~ East Harris County Manufacturers Association
Icon Bank of Texas ~ Jackson, Gilmour & Dobbs, PC ~ Kirksey ~ Janiece Longoria ~ Merrill Lynch/Peter S. Meyer
Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center ~ Ocean Shipholdings ~ Rowan Companies, Inc.
SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. ~ Kathy and Mike Sutton ~ U.S. Pipeline, Inc.
Friends and Sponsor Couples
Patsy and Michael Andrews ~ Andrews Kurth ~ Denise and Philip Bahr ~ Susan and Jim Baker
Cindy and John Bartos ~ Thomas Bell ~ Frank Billingsley ~ Ginger and Jack Blanton
Peter H. Brown ~ Kristina and George Busceme ~ Cheryl Byington ~ Glenda Callaway/Ekistics Corporation
Michael and Rebecca Cemo Family Foundation ~ Margi and Rocky Chase
Laura and Bruce Crawford ~ George A. Dodge ~ Ellen and Frank Donnelly, Jr. ~ Gracia and Robert Duncan
Debbie Pontikes Ellis ~ Nanette and Jerry Finger ~ Charlotte and Jimmy Fontenot
Marion S. Hargrove ~ Stacy and Scott Humphries ~ Courtney and Curtis Hutcheson ~
Johnson Space Center Federal Credit Union ~ Elizabeth Winston Jones ~ Lynn and Ty Kelly
Ann and Tom Kelsey ~ Roger M. Rowe and Helen W. Lane, PhD ~ Winkie and Jerry Mohn
Rachel and John Moody ~ Kenneth A. Newberry ~ Michaela and Taylor Norris ~ Cabrina and Stephen Owsley
Pappas Restaurants ~ Elizabeth and Mike Petit ~ Ellen and Stoney Petit
Jennifer Smith and Peter Ragauss ~ Susan and Barrett Reasoner ~ Beth Robertson ~ Regina Rogers
Samson Energy Company, LLC ~ T. Adger Satterfield ~ Katherine and Frank Smith
JJ and Gerry Spedale ~ Star Fleet ~ Sterling Associates ~ Valero Refining
Judy and Terrance Vinson ~ Randa Duncan Williams ~ Wallace S. Wilson ~ Betsy and Jim Winn
Left: GBF original trustees gathered at our special
Founders’ Table (front Row, left to right) Frank Smith, Terry
Hershey, Glenda Callaway, Sharron Stewart; (second row,
left to right) Ray Holbrook, Frank Fisher, George Bolin
Top Right: U.S. Congressman Gene Green, Helen Green, The
Honorable James A. Baker, III
Bottom: Current trustees present a gift of appreciation
to GBF President Bob Stokes. (Left to right) Bill King, James
Doyle, Don Stevenson, Cynthia Stevenson, Macey Stokes,
Bob Stokes, George Pontikes
GBF welComes new
eduCation Coordinator
Rachel Barski joined GBF as
the Education Coordinator
in September 2012.
Rachel received a B.S. in
Communication with a minor
in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Sciences
from Texas A&M University. She has been
an educator for the past four years and has
spent much of her recent time fostering an
integrated approach between indoor and
outdoor education. She enjoys watching
students/children use their time to explore
the vast outdoors.
9
Galveston Bay Foundation
national estuaries daY CeleBrated at
Fall marsh mania
O
n September 29, 2012, nearly 200
GBF volunteers helped to restore
Galveston Bay wetlands. In celebration of
the 25th anniversary of National Estuaries
Day and the 40th anniversary of the
Clean Water Act, GBF hosted a special
Marsh Mania event to plant smooth
cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) at a marsh
restoration site located on the Moses Lake
shoreline of The Nature Conservancy’s
Texas City Prairie Preserve. Marsh Mania
is an annual GBF event that involves local
citizens in hands-on marsh restoration
activities while increasing their awareness
and appreciation of Galveston Bay wetlands
and the many services they provide. In
fourteen years, nearly 7000 “Marsh
Maniacs” have restored over 200 acres
of wetlands around Galveston Bay. Marsh
Mania is supported with funding from the
National Partnership between NOAA’s
Bike Around the Bay (continued from page 3)
GBF is grateful for Shell’s continued support
of Bike Around the Bay, both the company’s
generous financial contribution and the
investment of time, volunteers, and other
resources that help ensure a successful ride.
We also greatly appreciate the commitment of
returning and new cash and in-kind sponsors
including Accenture, Albemarle Foundation,
Bike Barn, Burns & McDonnell, CenterPoint
on the Chicago Climate Exchange to offset
the carbon generated by Bike Around the Bay,
while Whole Earth Provisions contributed $10
gift certificates for all Bike Around the Bay
cyclists and volunteers.
social investment and allows us to make
commitments to the environment, create an
event our employees and the community can
participate in and benefit the Galveston Bay
Foundation.”
Several corporate supporters engaged
employees and clients in creating company
cycling teams. These included a CenterPoint
Energy team captained by GBF Board
Volunteer support is integral to the success
of Bike Around the Bay, and most all cyclists
comment on the kindness, hospitality, and
overall number of volunteers who help them
throughout ride weekend. From on-site
registration and breakpoint volunteers to SAG
team members and motorcycle marshals,
volunteers can be found at nearly all points
along the ride. They provide Gatorade and
snacks at over 15 breakpoints, provide
directions and moral support along tougher
portions of the route, and help ensure rider
safety.
You don’t realize what an important role energy
companies, like Shell, play in protecting this bay.
I appreciate Shell for doing it and hope they will
continue to do so for many years to come.
- Rodney Ellis
Texas State Senator
Energy, Insperity, The Moody Foundation,
Momentum Audi, Port of Houston Authority,
Reliant an NRG company, Samson Energy,
Sonic Automotive, Waste Management, and
Whole Earth Provisions Company. For the
second consecutive year, Reliant, an NRG
company, retired 500 metric tons of carbon
Member Jeff Myerson, a team of more than
50 cyclists from Shell/Motiva, and teams
from Accenture, Albemarle, Bike Barn, and
Burns & McDonnell. These cyclists genuinely
appreciate their company’s support of the
ride. Todd Nunnally, program general manager
for Shell, said, “It’s an important part of our
Bike Around the Bay 2012 was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:
THE MOODY FOUNDATION
‘Shell on Wheels’ motorcycle volunteer
Chad Slater said, “Seeing the first bike rider
approaching the finish line was an emotional
moment for me. It told a story of valor, goal
setting and triumph despite how big the
challenge is. I am already looking forward to
serving the needs of this event next year and
possibly riding…that’s pedaling, not throttling!”
Save the date for next year’s ride! Bike Around
the Bay is scheduled for October 12 and
13, 2013. “Like” Bike Around the Bay on
Facebook for registration and other updates,
and visit www.bikearoundthebay.org for
general ride information.
Winter 2013
NATIONAL OC
EA
Marsh Mania 2012 is made possible thanks to the following sponsors:
D ATMOSPHER
AN
IC
D
EP
AR
ER
S.
CE
U.
Volunteers are pictured here planting marsh
grass at Marsh Mania in Texas City.
C
NI
TRATION
NIS
MI
AD
Community-based Restoration Program and
Restore America’s Estuaries and through
the donation of marsh vegetation from NRG
Energy.
10
TME
O
NT OF C
MM
SPOTLIGHT ON: volunteers lisa and diCK mCGoniGle
E
very effort that the Galveston Bay
Foundation makes to preserve the bay is
spearheaded by GBF staff, but it’s success is
due in large part to the hard work of volunteers
who share a love for Galveston Bay that help
assure that these efforts come to fruition.
Many volunteers spend countless hours
working behind the scenes assisting in GBF
events year-after-year wishing for nothing in
return but the gratification of knowing they’ve
helped preserve Galveston Bay.
During this season of thanks, we recognize
Dick and Lisa McGonigle, two of our most
dedicated volunteers who have been actively
involved in GBF events for
more than six years. The
volunteering duo has
volunteered with several
environmentally focused
groups over the years,
which stems from
their interest in the
outdoors. “Our
love for fishing,
birding, kayaking
and conservation
issues led us to
Galveston Bay
Foundation’s
doorstep.
After many years of
memberships in and
support from the
sidelines of other conservation heroes, our
involvement in GBF (among numerous other
organizations)…has allowed a couple of thirsty
souls to pitch in, get our hands dirty and feel
good.”
Dick and Lisa can also be found paddling
around at Redfish Raft-Up, an event that Dick
describes as one of the “greatest parties on
the bay.” Enjoying the camaraderie and music,
Dick and Lisa paddle from boat to boat visiting
with friends and fellow bay enthusiasts.
Dick, a practicing trial lawyer, board member
of Scenic Galveston, and avid outdoorsman,
Dick shares his perspective on volunteering
and Lisa have
for GBF and why
...our involvement in GBF (among
managed to find
it’s remained
numerous other organizations)…has
time in their busy
important for both
allowed
a
couple
of
thirsty
souls
to
pitch
schedules to
him and Lisa: “It is
in, get our hands dirty and feel good.
remain devout
amazing how so few
in helping
volunteers can make
- Dick McGonigle
GBF Volunteer
to preserve
such a difference
our coastal
in protecting our
ecosystems. Both are actively involved in most Galveston Bay with the pressures of industry
GBF events, including Marsh Mania, Trash
and 6 million people crowding around the
Bash,
Bike Around the Bay, and
bay. It’s equally amazing how resourceful
Redfish Raft-Up. Both
and dedicated nonprofit organizations like the
Lisa and Dick are avid
Galveston Bay Foundation can channel energy
paddlers and have
and conviction with limited funds into results
brought along their
that can shape and protect the world we pass
kayaks to a number of
on to our children. It’s quite humbling to be
our water-based efforts.
one of the smallest cogs in the machinery.”
For the last two years,
Lisa joined us in our
If you’re inspired by the McGonigles and
on-the-water effort
interested in becoming a volunteer and helping
at Trash Bash at GBF continue our mission of preserving,
Armand Bayou, protecting, and enhancing Galveston Bay,
and Dick was
please contact Julie Mintzer at jmintzer@
able to come in
galvbay.org.
2011.
GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION
17330 Highway 3
Webster, TX 77598
p: 281.332.3381
f: 281.332.3153
www.galvbay.org
gbf@galvbay.org
Photos in this issue of the
GBF Gazette
contributed by:
Gene Fisseler
Andrew Hancock
Maggie Sweeney
Hugh Hargrave
GBF Staff
GBF is a 501(c)(3) organization
affiliated with EarthShare of Texas and
with Restore America’s Estuaries.
GBF Gazette underwriting provided by
our valued partner, the Port of Houston
Authority.