October 23, 2021
A broad array of world wide environmental advocates, conservation scientists, and governmental entities have endorsed the goal of "30 x 30", i.e. protecting 30% of lands and oceans by 2030. This is deemed essential in order to preserve biodiversity, prevent widespread species extinctions, protect environmental sustainability, and stabilize the climate.
Accomplishing this goal will require additional local efforts. One project that fits the bill is the current campaign of the non-profit Artist Boat to preserve some of the last undeveloped land on Galveston Island in their Coastal Heritage Preserve.
The Artist Boat Coastal Heritage Preserve currently encompasses a 690-acre conservation area on West Galveston Island. Artist Boat’s goal is to preserve and restore 1,400 contiguous acres from bay-to-beach. The Preserve is adjacent to West Bay, part of the Galveston Bay system – an estuary of national significance. The conservation area is one of the largest unfragmented, single-owner, undeveloped properties of its kind on Galveston Island.
To raise awareness and funds for this project, Artist Boat has initiated a campaign called Be #OneInAMillion, so that a broad base of citizens can help.
Artist Boat needs to raise sufficient funds from the public within two years to qualify for the matching grants necessary to purchase the remaining land to complete this important 1,400 acre preserve, which will protect precious wetlands and endangered coastal prairie habitat.
To assist in this effort, the Houston Group of Sierra Club has made a donation, and also created a 'team' at the 'Be One in a Million' webpage to encourage individual donations. Anyone interested in donating via the Houston Sierra Club team can go to: Help Save The Wilds Of Galveston - Artist Boat. Just click the green 'Find a team' button, and then at the new page locate the Houston Sierra Club team by looking for the Sierra Club logo. To make a donation, click the green 'Be One in a Million' button.
Artist Boat has also scheduled a signature fundraising event during November, Float the Boat, a dinner series on November 12, 13, 19, and 20, 2021. These evening gatherings will be under the stars, on the coastal prairie, at the Artist Boat Coastal Heritage Preserve. Each of these four dinner events will honor an individual "One In A Million Women" in Coastal Conservation. For further information on this event visit Float the Boat 2021 Archives - Artist Boat.
For questions or comments, contact Frank Blake at frankblake@juno.com