Galveston has taken wing once again, earning designation as a Bird City Texas community! We’re one of three Texas cities to achieve the prestigious hallmark this year. Thank you to our dedicated team, partners and advisors who helped make this happen.
Bird City Texas is an initiative of Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The community-focused certification program was created to help protect birds and their habitats where people live, work, and recreate.
Bird City Texas research shows that bird-friendly environments increase property values, help control insects and generate tourism dollars. There are ways you can help out at home for free, click here to learn how.
Read the full GINTC press release here.
Galveston FeatherFest was a success. We had 564 people from over 30 states plus British Columbia. We broke our all-time species record of 249 (2016) with 255 sightings this year! Interested in what all was seen? Click here.
Thanks to all of our volunteers, guides, speakers, vendors, lodging partners, sponsors and donors for their contributions in making FeatherFest a success once again.
Next year FeatherFest will be held at Moody Gardens, April 24-27!
Join GINTC staff and volunteers as we explore the natural wonders of the East End Lagoon. The East End Lagoon Nature Preserve sits along Boddecker Road and encompasses 675 acres of coastal prairie and wetland with a beautiful half-mile nature trail. These outings are FREE but registration is required. Sign-up today to secure a spot for your entire family!
A six-foot permanent sculpture of the elegant Eskimo Curlew, commissioned by Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council and part of The Lost Bird Project by Todd McGrain, was installed in Galveston Island State Park in March of 2020. The bronze Eskimo Curlew is the sixth sculpture of The Lost Bird Project.
Learn more about Galveston’s
Eskimo Curlew Sculpture
Enroll now in our Certified Nature Guide or Nature Ambassador course! These programs will provide a cadre of knowledgeable guides and ambassadors to help visitors and residents experience Galveston’s natural side.
Thanks to the Galveston Island Park Board for their tremendous support. We also appreciate the Galveston Bay Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists for providing the content for the coursework. Plus, kudos to Suzanne Becker, Bobette Brasfield, Cindy Liening, Maureen Nolan-Wilde, Diane Olsen, and Chris Roper for their enthusiasm and commitment to making these certifications a reality!
The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council thanks our members and volunteers, the City of Galveston, Galveston Park Board of Trustees, Galveston.com, and corporate members Moody Gardens, Sand ‘N Sea Properties, and SOAR Vacation Rental Services, for supporting our efforts throughout the year.
Module 1 | Gulf of Mexico | + | |
---|---|---|---|
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Gulf of Mexico | ||
Unit 2 | Physical Characteristics | ||
Unit 3 | Currents | ||
Unit 4 | Galveston Island Tides | ||
Unit 5 | Gulf of Mexico Watershed | ||
Unit 6 | Oil and Gas Production | ||
Unit 7 | Gulf of Mexico Fisheries | ||
Unit 8 | Gulf of Mexico Underwater Tourism | ||
Unit 9 | Sources for the Gulf of Mexico Module | ||
Unit 10 | Gulf of Mexico Exam | ||
Module 2 | Galveston Island Geology | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Galveston Island Geology | ||
Unit 2 | Galveston Island | ||
Unit 3 | Global Climate Impacts | ||
Unit 4 | Galveston Island Formation | ||
Unit 5 | Galveston Island Geology | ||
Unit 6 | Sources for the Galveston Island Geology Module | ||
Unit 7 | Galveston Island Geology Exam | ||
Module 3 | Habitats of Galveston Island | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Habitats of Galveston Island | ||
Unit 2 | Beaches | ||
Unit 3 | Dunes | ||
Unit 4 | Swales | ||
Unit 5 | Coastal Prairie | ||
Unit 6 | Prairie and Marsh Wetlands | ||
Unit 7 | Bay Shore | ||
Unit 8 | Sources for the Habitats of Galveston Island Module | ||
Unit 9 | Habitats of Galveston Island Exam | ||
Module 4 | Galveston Bay and Estuary | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Galveston Bay and Estuary | ||
Unit 2 | Galveston Bay | ||
Unit 3 | Galveston Bay Watershed | ||
Unit 4 | Galveston Bay Industrial Services | ||
Unit 5 | Galveston Bay Ecological Services | ||
Unit 6 | Bottlenose Dolphin | ||
Unit 7 | Ways to see the Bay | ||
Unit 8 | Sources for the Galveston Bay and Estuary Module | ||
Unit 9 | Bay and Estuary Exam | ||
Module 5 | Fish of Our Bay and Gulf | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Fish of Our Bay and Gulf | ||
Unit 2 | Atlantic Spanish Mackerel | ||
Unit 3 | Black Drum | ||
Unit 4 | Blacktip Shark | ||
Unit 5 | Bonnethead Shark | ||
Unit 6 | Gafftopsail Catfish | ||
Unit 7 | Hardhead Catfish | ||
Unit 8 | Ladyfish | ||
Unit 9 | Red Drum | ||
Unit 10 | Sand Seatrout | ||
Unit 11 | Sheepshead | ||
Unit 12 | Southern Flounder | ||
Unit 13 | Southern Stingray | ||
Unit 14 | Spotted Seatrout | ||
Unit 15 | Striped Mullet | ||
Unit 16 | TPWD Fishing Tip Sheet | ||
Unit 17 | Sources for the Fish of Our Bay and Gulf Module | ||
Unit 18 | Fish of Our Bay and Gulf Exam | ||
Module 6 | Birds of Galveston Island | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Birds of Galveston Island | ||
Unit 2 | Brown Pelican | ||
Unit 3 | Cattle Egret | ||
Unit 4 | Neotropic Cormorant | ||
Unit 5 | European Starling | ||
Unit 6 | Great-tailed Grackle | ||
Unit 7 | Great Blue Heron | ||
Unit 8 | Great Egret | ||
Unit 9 | Laughing Gull | ||
Unit 10 | Least Tern | ||
Unit 11 | Northern Mockingbird | ||
Unit 12 | Roseate Spoonbill | ||
Unit 13 | Snowy Egret | ||
Unit 14 | White Ibis | ||
Unit 15 | Willet | ||
Unit 16 | Black-bellied Whistling-Duck | ||
Unit 17 | Reddish Egret | ||
Unit 18 | Sandhill Crane | ||
Unit 19 | Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | ||
Unit 20 | Red-winged Blackbird | ||
Unit 21 | Black-necked Stilt | ||
Unit 22 | Sources for the Birds of Galveston Island Module | ||
Unit 23 | Birds of Galveston Island Exam | ||
Module 7 | Mammals | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Mammals | ||
Unit 2 | Nine-banded Armadillo | ||
Unit 3 | Coyote | ||
Unit 4 | Eastern Cottontail Rabbit | ||
Unit 5 | Eastern Gray Squirrel | ||
Unit 6 | Fox Squirrel | ||
Unit 7 | Nutria | ||
Unit 8 | Raccoon | ||
Unit 9 | Striped Skunk | ||
Unit 10 | Virginia Opossum | ||
Unit 11 | Black Rat | ||
Unit 12 | Bottlenose Dolphin | ||
Unit 13 | Sources for the Mammals Module | ||
Unit 14 | Mammals Exam | ||
Module 8 | Reptiles and Amphibians | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Reptiles and Amphibians | ||
Unit 2 | Common Snapping Turtle | ||
Unit 3 | Red-eared Slider/Pond Slider | ||
Unit 4 | Ribbon Snake | ||
Unit 5 | Western Diamondback Rattlesnake | ||
Unit 6 | Western Cottonmouth | ||
Unit 7 | Gulf Coast Toad | ||
Unit 8 | Rio Grande Chirping Frog | ||
Unit 9 | Green Tree Frog | ||
Unit 10 | Mediterranean House Gecko | ||
Unit 11 | Green Anole | ||
Unit 12 | Brown Anole | ||
Unit 13 | Sources for the Reptiles and Amphibians Module | ||
Unit 14 | Reptiles and Amphibians Exam | ||
Module 9 | Shells | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Shells | ||
Unit 2 | Angel Wing | ||
Unit 3 | Ark Shells | ||
Unit 4 | Bay Scallops | ||
Unit 5 | Common Eastern Oyster | ||
Unit 6 | Disk Clam | ||
Unit 7 | Giant Atlantic Cockle | ||
Unit 8 | Half-Naked Pen Shell | ||
Unit 9 | Hooked Mussel | ||
Unit 10 | Texas Quahog | ||
Unit 11 | Variable Cocquina Clam | ||
Unit 12 | Lettered Olive | ||
Unit 13 | Lightning Whelk | ||
Unit 14 | Oyster Drill Snail | ||
Unit 15 | Shark Eye | ||
Unit 16 | Sources for the Shells Module | ||
Unit 17 | Shells Exam | ||
Module 10 | Sea-Beans | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Sea-Beans | ||
Unit 2 | What are Sea-Beans? | ||
Unit 3 | Hamburger Bean | ||
Unit 4 | Sea Purse | ||
Unit 5 | Sea Heart Bean | ||
Unit 6 | Starnut Palm | ||
Unit 7 | Golf Ball | ||
Unit 8 | Nicker Nut | ||
Unit 9 | Mary's Bean | ||
Unit 10 | Furrowed Blister Pod | ||
Unit 11 | Sources for the Sea-Beans Module | ||
Unit 12 | Sea-Bean Exam | ||
Module 11 | The Wrack Line | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: The Wrack Line | ||
Unit 2 | The Wrack Line | ||
Unit 3 | Sea Shells and Sea Beans | ||
Unit 4 | Marine Animals (1) | ||
Unit 5 | Marine Animals (2) | ||
Unit 6 | Marine Animals and Their Egg Cases | ||
Unit 7 | Sargassum Algae | ||
Unit 8 | Lotus Pods and Water Hyacinth | ||
Unit 9 | Geology on the Beach | ||
Unit 10 | Man-made Trash | ||
Unit 11 | Sources for The Wrack Line Module | ||
Unit 12 | The Wrack Line Exam | ||
Module 12 | Nature Guide Interpretation and Trip Management | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Nature Guide Interpretation and Trip Management | ||
Unit 2 | Know your resources | ||
Unit 3 | Developing the program | ||
Unit 4 | Develop a clear theme for the activity | ||
Unit 5 | Prepare the guests for a successful experience | ||
Unit 6 | Know your audience | ||
Unit 7 | Interpretive basics | ||
Unit 8 | Select the appropriate communication/education techniques | ||
Unit 9 | Interpretive Techniques for effective interpretation are driven by the audience and the site | ||
Unit 10 | Good delivery skills in personal services | ||
Unit 11 | Day of the Trip | ||
Unit 12 | Additional interpretive training resources | ||
Unit 13 | Sources for Nature Guide Interpretation and Trip Management Module |
Module 1 | Gulf of Mexico - Ambassador Level | + | |
---|---|---|---|
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Gulf of Mexico | ||
Unit 2 | Physical Characteristics | ||
Unit 3 | Currents | ||
Unit 4 | Galveston Island Tides | ||
Unit 5 | Gulf of Mexico Watershed | ||
Unit 6 | Oil and Gas Production | ||
Unit 7 | Gulf of Mexico Fisheries | ||
Unit 8 | Gulf of Mexico Underwater Tourism | ||
Unit 9 | Sources for Gulf of Mexico Module | ||
Unit 10 | Gulf of Mexico Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 2 | Galveston Island Geology - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Galveston Island Geology | ||
Unit 2 | Galveston Island | ||
Unit 3 | Global Climate Impacts | ||
Unit 4 | Galveston Island Formation | ||
Unit 5 | Galveston Island Geology | ||
Unit 6 | Sources for the Galveston Island Geology Module | ||
Unit 7 | Galveston Island Geology Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 3 | Habitats of Galveston Island - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Habitats of Galveston Island | ||
Unit 2 | Beaches | ||
Unit 3 | Dunes | ||
Unit 4 | Swales | ||
Unit 5 | Coastal Prairie | ||
Unit 6 | Prairie and Marsh Wetlands | ||
Unit 7 | Bay Shore | ||
Unit 8 | Sources for Habitats of Galveston Island Module | ||
Unit 9 | Habitats of Galveston Island Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 4 | Galveston Bay and Estuary - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Galveston Bay and Estuary Overview | ||
Unit 2 | Galveston Bay | ||
Unit 3 | Galveston Bay Watershed | ||
Unit 4 | Galveston Bay Industrial Services | ||
Unit 5 | Galveston Bay Ecological Services | ||
Unit 6 | Bottlenose Dolphin | ||
Unit 7 | Ways to See Galveston Bay | ||
Unit 8 | Sources for the Galveston Bay and Estuary Module | ||
Unit 9 | Galveston Bay and Estuary Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 5 | Fish of our Bay and Gulf - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Fish of Our Bay and Gulf | ||
Unit 2 | Atlantic Spanish Mackerel | ||
Unit 3 | Black Drum | ||
Unit 4 | Blacktip Shark | ||
Unit 5 | Bonnethead Shark | ||
Unit 6 | Gafftopsail Catfish | ||
Unit 7 | Hardhead Catfish | ||
Unit 8 | Ladyfish | ||
Unit 9 | Red Drum | ||
Unit 10 | Sand Seatrout | ||
Unit 11 | Sheepshead | ||
Unit 12 | Southern Flounder | ||
Unit 13 | Southern Stingray | ||
Unit 14 | Spotted Sea Trout | ||
Unit 15 | Striped Mullet | ||
Unit 16 | Texas Parks and Wild Life (TPWD)Fishing Tips Sheet | ||
Unit 17 | Sources for the Fish of Our Bay and Gulf Module | ||
Unit 18 | Fish of Our Bay and Gulf Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 6 | Birds of Galveston Island - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Birds of Galveston Island | ||
Unit 2 | Brown Pelican | ||
Unit 3 | Cattle Egret | ||
Unit 4 | Neotropic Cormorant | ||
Unit 5 | European Starling | ||
Unit 6 | Great-tailed Grackle | ||
Unit 7 | Great Blue Heron | ||
Unit 8 | Snowy Egret | ||
Unit 9 | Great Egret | ||
Unit 10 | Laughing Gull | ||
Unit 11 | Least Tern | ||
Unit 12 | Northern Mockingbird | ||
Unit 13 | Roseate Spoonbill | ||
Unit 14 | White Ibis | ||
Unit 15 | Willet | ||
Unit 16 | Black-bellied Whistling-Duck | ||
Unit 17 | Reddish Egret | ||
Unit 18 | Sandhill Crane | ||
Unit 19 | Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | ||
Unit 20 | Red-winged Blackbird | ||
Unit 21 | Black-necked Stilt | ||
Unit 22 | Sources for Birds of Galveston Module | ||
Unit 23 | Birds of Galveston Island Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 7 | Mammals - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Mammals | ||
Unit 2 | Nine-banded Armadillo | ||
Unit 3 | Coyote | ||
Unit 4 | Eastern Cottontail Rabbit | ||
Unit 5 | Eastern Gray Squirrel | ||
Unit 6 | Fox Squirrel | ||
Unit 7 | Nutria | ||
Unit 8 | Raccoon | ||
Unit 9 | Striped skunk | ||
Unit 10 | Virginia Opossum | ||
Unit 11 | Black Rat | ||
Unit 12 | Bottlenose Dolphin | ||
Unit 13 | Sources for the Mammals Module | ||
Unit 14 | Mammals Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 8 | Reptiles and Amphibians - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Reptiles and Amphibians | ||
Unit 2 | Common Snapping Turtle | ||
Unit 3 | Red-eared Slider/Pond Slider | ||
Unit 4 | Ribbon Snake | ||
Unit 5 | Western Diamondback Rattlesnake | ||
Unit 6 | Western Cottonmouth | ||
Unit 7 | Gulf Coast Toad | ||
Unit 8 | Rio Grande Chirping Frog | ||
Unit 9 | Green Tree Frog | ||
Unit 10 | Mediterranean House Gecko | ||
Unit 11 | Green Anole | ||
Unit 12 | Brown Anole | ||
Unit 13 | Sources for Amphibians and Reptiles Module | ||
Unit 14 | Reptiles and Amphibians Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 9 | Shells - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview - Shells | ||
Unit 2 | Angel Wing | ||
Unit 3 | Ark Shells | ||
Unit 4 | Bay Scallops | ||
Unit 5 | Common Eastern Oyster Shell | ||
Unit 6 | Disk Clam | ||
Unit 7 | Giant Atlantic Cockle | ||
Unit 8 | Half-Naked Pen Shell | ||
Unit 9 | Hooked Mussel | ||
Unit 10 | Texas Quahog | ||
Unit 11 | Variable Coquina Clam | ||
Unit 12 | Lettered Olive | ||
Unit 13 | Lightning Whelk | ||
Unit 14 | Oyster Drill | ||
Unit 15 | Shark Eye | ||
Unit 16 | Sources for Shell Module | ||
Unit 17 | Shells Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 10 | Sea-Beans - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: Sea-Beans | ||
Unit 2 | What are Sea-Beans? | ||
Unit 3 | Hamburger Bean | ||
Unit 4 | Sea Purse | ||
Unit 5 | Sea Heart Bean | ||
Unit 6 | Starnut Palm | ||
Unit 7 | Golf Ball | ||
Unit 8 | Nicker Nut | ||
Unit 9 | Mary's Bean | ||
Unit 10 | Furrowed Blister Pod | ||
Unit 11 | Sources for the Sea-Bean Module | ||
Unit 12 | Sea-Beans Exam - Ambassador Level | ||
Module 11 | The Wrack Line - Ambassador Level | + | |
Unit 1 | Module Overview: The Wrack Line | ||
Unit 2 | The Wrack Line | ||
Unit 3 | Sea Shells and Sea Beans | ||
Unit 4 | Marine Animals (1) | ||
Unit 5 | Marine Animals (2) | ||
Unit 6 | Marine Animals and Their Egg Cases | ||
Unit 7 | Sargassum Algae | ||
Unit 8 | Lotus Pods and Water Hyacinth | ||
Unit 9 | Geology on the Beach | ||
Unit 10 | Man-made Trash | ||
Unit 11 | Sources for the Wrack Line Module | ||
Unit 12 | The Wrack Line Exam - Ambassador Level |