The Galveston Bay Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist organization recently launched a range of environmental initiatives, garnering a big award for the chapter. The chapter won first place in the 2017 Gulf Guardian Awards in the category for civic/non-profit organizations. The award, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program, recognizes outstanding environmental efforts within the 31 states that comprise the Gulf of Mexico watershed, according to master naturalist spokeswoman Maureen Nolan-Wilde.
Members of the Galveston Bay Area Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists at the Dr. K. Lloyd Lauderdale Boat Ramp on Bolivar Peninsula after a trash collection day
As part of their Confront Plastic Pollution Program, the chapter hosted 178 local educational events on the importance of combating plastic pollution, as well as working with area partners to carry out 12 clean-ups in the Galveston Bay area, often using kayaks and boats to reach locations that would otherwise have been inaccessible. Additionally, the chapter adopted a local highway and led a state-wide effort to reduce the effects of carelessly discarded fishing line by placing specially marked receptacles at popular fishing spots.
“Our chapter realized that in order to make a change, we had to take a lead and not wait for others to do it for us. Our many-faceted approach to confronting the problem of plastic pollution has been recognized by the EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Program,” said Nolan-Wilde. “Hopefully the word will get out that individuals can and do make a difference.”
06/04/2017
Maureen Nolan-Wilde
409-771-4436
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