Be One in a Million

Our state and federal partners are contributing $12,220,000 million-dollars in conservation grant awards. The remainder raised to date is from individuals and foundations totaling $1,060,000 Texas General Land Office National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Texas Parks and Wildlife Department US Fish and Wildlife Service Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Galveston Bay Estuary Program The Knobloch Family

Artist Boat is dedicated to protecting the wilds of Galveston for future generations to experience. Conservation easements protect the land from development, in perpetuity, and our habitat department and Sea Citizen volunteers work hard to preserve the land, restore native vegetation and remove invasive species. Habitat restoration programs also allow individuals and groups to join

Artist Boat is working to protect the last wild corridor on west Galveston Island. Our immediate focus is a push to secure the remaining funding of $3,481,000 of the $16,361,000 to acquire 204 additional acres for the Coastal Heritage Preserve (the Preserve). This acquisition will bring the total land saved to 1,243 acres, achieving 88%

The land serves as a “natural infrastructure” that provides critical benefits to the entire community. The prairies and wetlands provide filtration of water helping keep the bay clean, provide homes for wildlife on land and in the water, and drive the economy through nature-based tourism and fisheries. When it comes to climate resilience, these wetlands

If we do not act within the next 6 months, this land is at high risk of being lost to development. The 204 acres are currently platted for approximately 1,281 housing units. Development would fragment the habitat and degrade the land we have already worked so hard to conserve. Once the land is developed, we

The total cost for this phase of land acquisition is $16.3 million. We have already raised or secured $12.8 million through grants and donors. We need to secure the funding for the final $3.5 million by June of 2026 to buy the land, conduct all due diligence, convey conservation easements, and other associated costs of

The Be One in a Million (BOIAM) campaign is our grassroots engine. We are asking one million people to give $10 each. This approach is powerful because every small gift helps leverage much larger state and federal grant dollars. For every $10 donated, $372 in federal and state conservation dollars is unlocked. So far, over

Preservation does not mean the land is “off-limits.” Our vision for these 204 acres, in partnership with Galveston Independent School district, will provide: Three miles of low-impact nature trails with interpretive signage Activity trunks and curricula for 4th-grade teachers, teaching the island’s history, geology, and ecology through a local lens Community access to diverse habitats

Artist Boat has a 23-year track record of resilience and results. Since 2008, we have grown the Preserve from zero to over 1,039 acres. We have completed 15 major land transactions and raised over $24 million with federal, state, and private partners. We have also successfully navigated through Hurricane Ike, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill,

The Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) is governed by state and local city ordinances. The law dictates its use. Artist Boat is supported by HOT competitive grants to market our programs that integrate art, science, natural history, and engage them in our island culture. This helps: Promote our Eco-Art Adventures via kayak Produce the World Ocean