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The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council was founded in 2004 as a community-based volunteer organization representing a wide range of eco tourism interests. The organization’s mission is to sponsor, support and develop nature-based educational and recreational activities, and to promote the value of the natural habitats and resources of the Galveston area, thereby enhancing the quality of life for Galveston Island’s citizens and visitors. Key Projects FeatherFest GINTC’s signature project is the Island’s annual birding and nature festival, which is held in April during early spring migration. Galveston is one of the top locations in the country for birding because it sits astride the 95th meridian, the dead center of trans-gulf migration routes. Some 300 species of birds can be seen on the Island throughout the year. More than 5,000 people participated in this year’s field trips, workshops, and educational outreach activities, and 202 species of birds were sighted. The 8th Annual FeatherFest will be held April 8 – 11, 2010. See further details at www.GalvestonFeatherFest.com. East End Lagoon Park and Nature Preserve The City of Galveston owns 685 acres of land at the east end of Galveston Island in the vicinity of Boddeker Drive and Apffel Park. The City’s vision is to transform this resource into a world-class, sustainable, natural recreational park and nature preserve with trails and a manned interpretive center. Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas has requested that GINTC assist in raising money to develop the master plan as well as be a part of the ad hoc East End Lagoon planning committee. The potential of the property to enhance public awareness of Galveston's natural resources and wildlife habitats, weather and tides and waterborne industry is extraordinary. Tidal lagoons, wetlands, grasslands, dunes, inter-tidal marshes, sea grass beds, gulf access and a view of the Houston Ship Channel entrance are all part of the area. GINTC is well underway in its supportive efforts to ensure that this vision of a park and nature preserve becomes a reality. “Faces of Flight” "Faces of Flight” is a museum-scale exhibit illustrating the remarkable birdlife of the Galveston region. It was completed in 2007 with significant funding from GINTC. The photographs and display panels were created by Ted Eubanks, arguably the country’s leading eco tourism expert and a native of the Houston-Galveston area. The exhibit offers insights and observations from historical figures about birdlife in past times, reaffirming the importance of celebrating and conserving the nature of Galveston Bay for future generations. “Faces of Flight” débuted at the Galveston County Historical Museum as a spectacular preview event for FeatherFest. It stayed at the museum through June ‘07 when, with support from the Galveston Park Board of Trustees, it moved to the main concourse of Hobby Airport in Houston. “Nature at the Beach" Story Boards GINTC created five educational story boards that are installed in and around Ft. Crockett Park at 47th and Seawall Boulevard. The boards are designed to be permanent displays of nature information explaining to the public what lies in front of them as they look out to the sea. The shoreline, beach combing, beach inhabitants and birds are some of the topics covered. GINTC is working with the Park Board to include the boards in new designs for the park or other locations along the Seawall. 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. 2009 – 2010 GINTC Board of Directors
Membership Membership in GINTC is open to everyone. Annual dues for individuals are $35; family membership is $70; and lifetime membership is $500. Membership entitles you to notification of all GINTC meetings and sponsored events and eligibility for committee participation in FeatherFest and other GINTC programs. Monies collected from memberships are used to further GINTC programs and projects. Email NatureTourismGalv@juno.com for a membership application. Contact Us Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council
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