Saving land is only the beginning. Keeping it alive takes generations of care.
We are growing the land. Now we must grow the capacity to care for it.
With a $125,000 lead investment from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, Artist Boat is establishing the Wet Prairie Nursery and Stewardship Training Facility—a permanent center for growing native plants and developing the people who will restore Galveston Island.
The facility will bring together a propagation greenhouse, a shade house and specialized wet nursery, and a hands-on potting and stewardship training area. It will expand our capacity to produce 10,000 native plants representing at least 15 species each year, supporting the restoration of approximately 10 acres of prairie and wetland habitat annually.
Just as importantly, this project invests in people. Artist Boat plans to employ two full-time, year-long Post-Baccalaureate Stewardship Fellows each year, giving emerging conservation professionals paid experience in native-plant production, prairie and wetland restoration, invasive-species management, ecological monitoring, and volunteer leadership. We are seeking support for the first two years while building a sustainable fellowship program that can welcome two new professionals annually in the years ahead.
The facility will also strengthen Artist Boat’s existing Sea Citizen volunteer program. Our goal is to maintain a dependable team of 16 trained Sea Citizens who return regularly, help lead open habitat workdays and group volunteer events, mentor new participants, and support nursery operations and restoration alongside staff. Together, fellows and Sea Citizens will help expand restoration, manage invasive plants, sustain wildlife habitat, and invite more people to take an active role in caring for the Preserve.
An invitation to leave a living legacy
Artist Boat is inviting the community to join the CenterPoint Energy Foundation in a $500,000 Growing the Future campaign. Your contribution will help build the nursery, equip its growing spaces, train emerging conservation professionals, support Sea Citizens, and sustain the ongoing restoration of the Coastal Heritage Preserve.
Whether you name a greenhouse, support a conservation fellowship, sponsor a volunteer workstation, or dedicate a growing bench in honor of someone special, your gift will become part of a landscape that continues to live, grow, and serve future generations.
We have shown what our community can accomplish when we come together to save the land. Now we have an opportunity to ensure that the land we saved will flourish.
Help us grow the future of Galveston Island.
What are we growing?
Three connected buildings for native-plant production and stewardship
1 PROPAGATION GREENHOUSE
30 × 48 feet. Climate-managed growing space with 18 propagation benches, overhead irrigation, and capacity for approximately 2,500 seedlings at a time.
2 SHADE HOUSE & WET NURSERY
36 × 72 feet. Shaded growing area with 36 shallow-water pond benches for moisture-loving coastal prairie and wetland species. Capacity for approximately 3,000–4,000 larger potted plants.
3 POTTING & STEWARDSHIP WORK AREA
24 × 36 feet. Workstations for potting, preparing plants, handling supplies, and training volunteers; includes storage and technician work areas.
Growing plants—and the people who care for them
A permanent home for hands-on restoration and conservation training
10,000 NATIVE PLANTS EACH YEAR
At least 15 species of native coastal prairie and wetland plants will support a goal of approximately 10 restored acres each year.
TWO CONSERVATION FELLOWS EACH YEAR
Paid, full-year Post-Baccalaureate Stewardship Fellows gain practical training in seed collection, propagation, invasive-plant management, prairie and wetland restoration, field science, and leading volunteers. The campaign supports the first two years, with the goal of continuing two new fellows annually.
16 SEA CITIZEN LEADERS
A returning team of trained Sea Citizens will help operate the nursery, support habitat workdays, mentor new volunteers, and lead community restoration efforts. This strengthens an existing volunteer program.
Ways to Give | Growing the Future
A $500,000 milestone to build the facility and support the people who restore Galveston Island.
Make a gift now—or reserve an opportunity and complete your contribution by December 30, 2026 or March 30, 2027. Your donation is restricted to the Wet Prairie Nursery and Stewardship Training Facility, associated workforce development, Sea Citizen training, nursery operations, habitat restoration, and stewardship.
Check or online gift
Make checks payable to Artist Boat and note “Growing the Future.” To give online, use the campaign link or QR code provided by Artist Boat.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
If you are age 70½ or older, an eligible distribution paid directly from your IRA to Artist Boat may be excluded from taxable income and may count toward your required minimum distribution. Arrange the transfer through your IRA custodian.
Donor-advised fund
Recommend a grant to Artist Boat from your donor-advised fund. Ask your fund administrator about grant policies, including any restrictions on binding pledges.
Appreciated securities
A gift of eligible appreciated stock may offer tax advantages. Contact Artist Boat before transferring securities for delivery instructions.
Corporate gifts and matching programs
Consider a business sponsorship or ask your employer whether it matches charitable contributions.
Pledge timing
A pledge reserves a requested opportunity only after Artist Boat confirms availability. The charitable contribution is generally deductible in the tax year when the gift is actually completed, not merely pledged.
Let us help coordinate your contribution
Artist Boat | executive.assistant@artistboat.org | 409-632-0388
