Galveston Bay Foundation's 30-acre headquarters - a place for you to connect with the Bay OPENING SOON
Coastal Prairie
A one-acre coastal prairie welcomes visitors as they enter our Kemah property.
Land Conservation
We envision a future home and headquarters for our organization on a fully restored 30 acres on Galveston Bay. This Kemah property is part of more than 8,000 acres Galveston Bay Foundation has permanently protected.
The Gessner Center
Public Access Trail
Galveston Bay Foundation has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a state-of-the-art headquarters and education center. The Gessner Center has been designed as a “Living Building,” powered fully by solar energy with rainwater harvested, treated, and used for drinking water.
Detention Ponds
Detention ponds on the property provide flood mitigation, help improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife.
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels help conserve water and reduce storm water runoff, pollution, and bacteria from entering Galveston Bay.
The Observation Pier
Our bayfront acreage will include trails that bring guests down to the waterfront where they can access the Bay by kayak or enjoy walking over wetlands on a boardwalk that extends over the water.
Event Lawn
Outdoor Classroom
We will have the ability to host small weddings, community gatherings, and local business meetings.
Students and adults can experience and learn about Galveston Bay, conservation, and the importance of water in a hands-on way in our outdoor classrooms.
Native Plants
Local native plants have been planted by volunteers throughout the property, including in the coastal prairie. Native plants are essential for biodiversity and create food for all types of wildlife.
Water Quality Monitoring
Our volunteer water quality monitors test the water at 65 sites around the Bay – including our property shoreline!
Wetlands
The Galveston Bay system has lost 8,000+ acres of saltwater wetlands and 80,000+ acres of freshwater wetlands in the past 20 years. To date, Galveston Bay Foundation has restored over 950 acres of vital coastal habitat.
Advocacy
Galveston Bay Foundation reviews wetland permits and writes letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding any concern with proposed projects.
Living Shoreline
Rather than using a concrete bulkhead, our living shoreline will use rocks and restored marsh to protect the property from waves that would cause future erosion.
Oyster Reef
We are adding an oyster reef to this living shorline. Through our Oyster Shell Recycling Program, we partner with multiple Houston and Galveston area restaurants to collect shucked oyster shells and return them to the Bay to create new oyster habitat.
Education Pavilion
The education pavilion is an additional covered space for outdoor learning. Its location makes it the perfect place for birding and observing the natural beauty of Galveston Bay! Built by students from UT Austin School of Architecture.