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History The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC) is a community-based volunteer organization. It was formed in 2004 by a coalition of Galveston residents and with the support of the Galveston Park Board of Trustees and GMP, Inc. Over the years, the GINTC Board of Directors, Advisory Board and membership have expanded to represent a wide range of nature-related interests. Mission GINTC’s mission is to sponsor, support and develop nature-based educational and recreational activities, and 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 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 2010 field trips, workshops, and educational outreach activities, and a record 210 species of birds were sighted. The 9th Annual FeatherFest will be held April 7 – 10, 2011. Photo Fest, the popular new track of field trips and workshops for photographers, will be expanded. Details of the 2011 Festival will be posted here soon: www.GalvestonFeatherFest.com.
East End Lagoon Park and Nature Preserve The City of Galveston owns 685 acres of land at the east end of the Island at 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. Former Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas requested that GINTC assist in raising the money necessary to develop the master plan and be part of the ad hoc planning committee. GINTC raised more than $200,000 and the master plan contract was awarded in late 2009. The plan is expected to be completed this year. 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 will continue its efforts to ensure that this vision of a park and nature preserve becomes a reality. 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. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes This GINTC membership event is held in December to celebrate the seasonal return of the Sandhill Cranes to the Island. This year’s breakfast date is Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. More than 200 cranes were sighted last year. Designed as an educational outreach activity, it is supported by the Galveston Beach to Bay Foundation, Friends of Galveston Island State Park, Houston Audubon Galveston County Group and the Galveston Ornithological Society. 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 Tree Conservancy Fiscal Agent GINTC established its partnership with the Galveston island Tree Conservancy in June 2009. 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. 2010 – 2011 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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