Galveston was certified as a Bird City Texas community by Audubon Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, partners in the Bird City Texas Initiative in 2021. Galveston was one of three cities in the state to achieve Bird City designation that year, joined by San Antonio and Surfside Beach.  There are some things that you and I can do to make sure Galveston remains bird-friendly.

Bird City Texas is a community-focused certification program created to help protect birds and their habitats where people live, work, and recreate. The program’s research shows that bird-friendly environments increase property values, help control insects and generate tourism dollars.

“Galveston’s Bird City certification is a result of communitywide efforts to recognize the importance of bird conservation and lead the way through education, action and preservation,“ said Julie Ann Brown, Executive Director of the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC).

Spring Migration for Texas

March 1 – June 15

Peak Migration – April 22 – May 12

Fall Migration for Texas

August 15 – November 30

Peak Migration – September 5 – October 29

GINTC invites the community to learn the steps you as individuals and business owners can take to keep Galveston bird-friendly and encourage safe passage for resident and migratory birds.  Here are links to some helpful resources.

Bird-Friendly Landscaping

• Native Plants for Galveston Island
• Galveston Island Recommended Tree List
• National Audubon’s Plants for Birds
• Houston Audubon’s Native Plants for Birds
• Coastal Prairie Conservancy- 9 Natives Program
• Native Plants of Texas at Pier 10, Galveston
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Local Bird Clubs and Events

• Galveston County Audubon Group
• The Galveston Ornithological Society
• FeatherFest
• Holiday with the Cranes
• Christmas Bird Count
• Hotter than Hell Big Day

Cats Indoors Program

• Dark Sky Lighting Solutions
• Texas Night Sky Festival

Reducing Bird Collisions

• American Bird Conservancy’s Glass Collisions
• Houston Audubon’s Lights out for Birds
• Audubon’s National Lights Out Program
• Audubon Texas, Lights Out, Texas! 
• BirdCast Lights Out Alerts

Invasive Species

• Texas Invasives (Plants, Animals, Insects, and more)
• The Quiet Invasion (Galveston Bay Area)

GINTC presents Galveston FeatherFest Birding and Nature Photography Festival, Galveston Winter Nature Program, Sea Turtle Saturday, Holiday with the Cranes and numerous educational programs at the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve as part of its mission is to connect people with Galveston’s natural environment. For further information, visit GalvestonNatureTourism.org.