Galveston
Island State Park
It's Worth Befriending!
Two thousand acres of surf,
beach, dunes, coastal prairie, fresh-water ponds, wetlands and bay shoreline
just "down the Island" from the city invite both quiet contemplation
and recreation. The park is a richly diverse preserve and hundreds of species of
wildlife thrive here - spoonbills resting in an oak mott, tree frogs croaking
out a mating call, skimmers nesting in the newly terraced wetlands, egrets
fishing the ponds, coyotes prowling the nighttime grassland, sandpipers
skittering in the surf, pelicans surveying from high above. For recreation
visitors swim and sun on the beach, hike the miles of trails (with two
observation towers), kayak and canoe the wetlands, fish the bay or surf.
Though even an hour’s visit can refresh, an overnight stay at
campgrounds fronting on the beach or bay offers rewards of a star-filled night
and the soothing sound of water meeting the shore. The park is also a
science laboratory for naturalists and students of marsh ecology, bird
migration, shoreline stability and wildlife habitat. There is an interpretive
center and a ranger on staff who guides hikes and helps with science projects.
But gaps in funding create a critical need for friends to help with preservation
and enhancement of the park’s natural environment and to provide enriching
experiences and educational programs. That is the mission of Friends of
Galveston Island State Park. Please join us in accomplishing our mission.
Help Us Help the Park
Whatever your interest or expertise, we can put you
and/or your donation to work. Each identified need requires planning, funding
and hands-on volunteer effort. The support of members, businesses, foundations,
and community groups will enable Friends of Galveston Island State Park to fill
the gap between the park’s needs and resources.
Who
We Are
Friends of Galveston Island State Park is a non-profit
corporation founded by a group of concerned park neighbors in February, 2001.
(About half of the state parks in Texas have similar groups formed to assist and
promote the mission and activities of their park
Board meetings, which the public is encouraged to
attend, are held the third Thursday of each month at the park administration
building at 4 p.m. The general membership meeting will be held annually in
February.
How to Contact Us
Friends of Galveston Island State Park,
Inc.
P. O. Box 5428, Galveston, TX 77554
Ph. 409-737-1222
E-mail FoGISP@aol.com
Website www.FoGISP.org
Park Needs
Restore
native prairie grasses. Re-build the unstable observation
platforms.
Plant a
native species garden with identifying signage around the interpretive center. Develop programs of enriching experiences
and educational modules for students and visitors and provide a cadre of
volunteer instructors. Design, fabricate and install educational
signage on beach dune walks and along all six miles of prairie and wetlands
trails. Sponsor a "back-to-nature"
weekend for local disadvantaged youth. Re-build trail boardwalks lost in Alicia.
Put in a canoe/kayak launching area. Re-design the interpretive center layout. Build new trails.
