What We Do

Environmental Programs

What You Can Do

Future Attractions

Natural Attractions

Spot us in the Wild

Galveston's Nature, Conservation & Volunteer Opportunities

Care for Our Coast

The natural beauty of Galveston's beaches is a major draw for visitors, but with that comes the responsibility of preserving and protecting the environment.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular beachgoer, there are many ways that you can help curb littering and keep our beaches free of trash. Together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and help to keep Galveston beautiful.

Galveston’s Coastal Operations team supports the stewardship of the Island’s beaches and public coastal areas through beach maintenance, coastal protection and management efforts. This work helps preserve Galveston’s shoreline, protect natural resources and promote responsible coastal stewardship for residents and visitors.

Coastal Operations

Coastal Zone Management

The Galveston Park Board’s Coastal Zone Management efforts focus on protecting and maintaining the Island’s shoreline while balancing public beach access, recreation and the coastal environment. Through shoreline management, erosion response and long-term coastal planning, these efforts help strengthen Galveston’s resilience and support responsible stewardship of its beaches and natural resources.

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Coastal Operations

Beach Nourishment

Beach nourishment helps protect Galveston’s shoreline by adding sand to areas affected by erosion. These projects help maintain wider beaches, strengthen the Island’s natural coastal defenses and support resilient habitats while preserving the beaches residents and visitors enjoy.

Coastal Operations

Seaweed & Natural Debris

Seaweed and other natural debris are part of Galveston’s coastal environment. Sargassum, a brown seaweed that naturally reaches the Island’s beaches, provides habitat and food for marine life while helping trap sand and protect the shoreline from erosion. Due to where Galveston sits along the coast of the Gulf, the island often has many types of natural and non-natural debris washing in, whether its sargassum, trees, or messages in a bottle. Depending on the type of debris, the Park Board is quick to get the beaches back to their natural state.

Nature, Conservation & Volunteer Opportunities in Galveston

Environmental Programs

Galveston’s environmental programs bring together conservation, education and community stewardship to help protect the Island’s beaches, wildlife and coastal habitats. Visitors and residents can learn more about the local environment, support conservation efforts and find hands-on opportunities to help care for Galveston’s natural resources.

Pictured: Kemp's ridley sea turtle

Credit: Sea turtle activity permitted under USFWS ES776123 and TPWD SPR-0116-024. Shared with permission of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research.

Environmental Programs

Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) is the federally and state-permitted lead organization for sea turtle rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, research, and nesting conservation on the upper Texas coast. The GCSTR answers the 24/7 Texas Statewide Sea Turtle Hotline at 1-866-TURTLE-5 and coordinates responses to sea turtle calls along the upper Texas coast, from the Louisiana border through East Matagorda.

Environmental Programs

Adopt-A-Beach is a twice-a-year, Island-wide cleanup program managed by the Texas General Land Office and Clean Galveston. Held each spring and fall, the program brings volunteers together to remove litter and help care for Galveston’s beaches and coastal environment.

Environmental Programs

Artist Boat connects people with Galveston’s coastal environment through hands-on education, conservation and outdoor experiences. Its programs combine science and art while supporting the stewardship and preservation of coastal habitats, including wetlands and wildlife areas, and offer opportunities for residents and visitors to get involved in protecting the Island’s natural resources.

Environmental Programs

Galveston Beach Ambassador Program

The Galveston Beach Ambassador Program encourages visitors and residents to become active stewards of the Island’s beaches through education, outreach and hands-on cleanup efforts. As of August 2025, Beach Ambassadors have reported more than 373 beach cleanups and removed over 3,700 pounds of marine debris, helping protect Galveston’s coastal environment and preserve its beaches for people and wildlife.

Environmental Programs

Galveston Bay Foundation

Galveston Bay Foundation works to restore and protect Galveston Bay through hands-on conservation projects, including building and restoring oyster reefs. Volunteers play an important role in these efforts by helping restore native habitats, protect and monitor water quality, educate the public and inspire community action to care for the Bay.

Environmental Programs

Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council

The Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC) promotes the conservation and enjoyment of Galveston’s natural resources through nature-based tourism, education and community partnerships. From birding and wildlife viewing to programs that connect people with the Island’s coastal habitats, GINTC helps residents and visitors experience Galveston’s natural side while encouraging responsible stewardship.

Environmental Programs

Galveston’s Ghost Wolves

Discover the fascinating story of Galveston’s ghost wolves, a unique population of wild canids found on the island that carry genetic traces of the endangered red wolf. Researchers and conservationists are studying these animals to better understand their genetics, protect local wildlife and support red wolf recovery efforts.

Environmental Programs

SPLASh (Stopping Plastics and Litter Along Shorelines) works to create a cleaner environment for people, birds and other wildlife throughout the greater Houston-Galveston region. Through trash cleanups, community science, education and outreach, SPLASh gives volunteers opportunities to reduce litter and plastic pollution while supporting bird and wildlife conservation along local shorelines.

Environmental Programs

Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation Galveston Chapter works to protect Galveston’s ocean, beaches and coastal environment through conservation, education and volunteer action. Since 2010, the local chapter has focused on issues including plastic pollution, clean water, beach access and coastal protection, with opportunities for volunteers to get involved in local programs and events.

Environmental Programs

Through its TIDE (Turtles, Islands, Discovery & Education) Program, Turtle Island Restoration Network connects people with Galveston’s coastal environment through hands-on education and conservation. The program gives students and community members opportunities to learn about local wildlife and habitats while building awareness of the importance of protecting sea turtles and the Gulf of Mexico.

Pack It In. Pack It Out: Take your trash with you and pick up litter when you see it. If UP2U bags are available at your location, use them to help collect and properly dispose of litter. Help keep our beaches clean for people and wildlife.

Stay Off the Dunes: Use designated walkovers and paths when accessing the beach. Dunes are fragile and take years to develop.

Leave Wildlife Wild: Observe wildlife from a safe distance. Never touch, feed, chase, or disturb nesting or resting animals.

Choose Responsible Experiences: Support local businesses and organizations that care for Galveston’s environment and community.

The UP2U campaign encourages beachgoers to take responsibility for their trash, properly dispose of litter and leave the shoreline better than they found it. Together, these programs make it easy for visitors and locals to help protect Galveston Island’s coastal environment.

You can find an Up2U box at these locations:

Stewart Beach
Seawall at 27th street
Seawall at 61st Street
Spanish Grant beachfront
Bermuda Beach beachfront
Texas Campgrounds beachfront
Sea Isle beachfront
Pointe San Luis Laguana and Playa beachfront

Borrow Boxes provide reusable beach toys and supplies that visitors can borrow and return, helping reduce waste and keep items out of landfills. You can find a Beach Toy Borrow Box at 61st street on the Seawall beachfront and at Pocket Park 2 from March - the end of September.

Nature, Conservation & Volunteer Opportunities in Galveston

Future Attractions

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) will soon be home to the Cheryl Mellenthin Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center. Once open, the new facility will offer public tours, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about sea turtle rehabilitation, conservation and the work being done to protect these marine animals in Galveston and beyond.

Pictured: Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle

Credit: Sea turtle activity permitted under USFWS ES776123 and TPWD SPR-0116-024. Shared with permission of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research.

Nature, Conservation & Volunteer Opportunities in Galveston

Natural Attractions

Galveston’s natural attractions offer plenty of ways to experience the Island beyond the beach. Visit Galveston Island State Park for hiking, paddling, birding and bay-to-beach scenery, or head to East End Lagoon Nature Preserve to explore coastal habitats and watch for native and migratory wildlife.

Natural Attractions

Beaches

Galveston’s beaches offer miles of shoreline for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the Gulf. From popular spots like Stewart Beach and East Beach to the quieter stretches of the West End, visitors can experience the Island’s coastal environment while helping protect its beaches and wildlife.

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Natural Attractions

East End Lagoon

East End Lagoon Nature Preserve offers a quieter side of Galveston, with coastal wetlands, trails and shoreline habitat to experience. The preserve is a popular spot for birding, wildlife watching, fishing and kayaking, giving visitors a closer look at the Island’s natural environment.

Natural Attractions

Artist Boat Coastal Heritage Preserve

Artist Boat Coastal Heritage Preserve connects visitors with Galveston’s coastal environment through guided eco-art kayak adventures and hands-on experiences. Volunteer opportunities also give participants a chance to help care for coastal habitats while learning more about the Island’s ecosystems.

Natural Attractions

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island State Park offers outdoor activities on both the beach and bay sides of the Island. Visitors can camp, hike scenic trails and go birdwatching while experiencing Galveston’s coastal habitats and wildlife.

Nature, Conservation & Volunteer Opportunities in Galveston

Spot us in the Wild

Galveston Beach Ambassadors

Keep an eye out for Galveston Beach Ambassadors while enjoying the Island’s beaches. These local stewards help care for the coastline by picking up marine debris and encouraging others to leave the beach better than they found it.

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research's Turtle Patrol

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research's Turtle Patrol teams help watch Galveston’s beaches during nesting season, looking for signs of sea turtles and helping protect nests along the shoreline. Their work supports sea turtle conservation while giving beachgoers a chance to spot conservation efforts in action.

Nature, Conservation & Volunteer Opportunities in Galveston

Explore Responsibly

Your visit can help protect the places you came to enjoy.

Whether you're spending the day on the beach, watching birds, exploring the bay, or enjoying Galveston's coastal communities, small choices can make a big difference. Follow posted guidelines, respect wildlife and habitats, reduce waste, and leave natural areas as you found them.

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Tips for Protecting Texas' Critically Endangered Sea Turtles in Galveston, Texas

Join the conservation effort of protecting Kemp's Ridley sea turtles with these tips from Turtle Island Restoration Network.

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea Traveling Exhibit in Galveston, Texas

Hold On To Your Butt Campaign Aims to Eliminate Litter on Galveston Beaches

Hold On To Your Butt is a Surfrider Foundation campaign aimed at eliminating cigarette butt litter and pollution because of the…