Galveston Island’s “home grown” conservation organization, Artist Boat, has announced the launch of an ambitious campaign to complete the formation of The Coastal Heritage Preserve. Envisioned by Artist Boat’s founding director Karla Klay more than a decade ago, The Preserve protects 1,400 acres of land stretching from Galveston Bay to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico on west Galveston Island.

Today, Artist Boat owns some 700 acres of the Coastal Heritage Preserve, having raised over $11 million dollars to purchase the land parcel by parcel. Artist Boat board chair, Al Alsup, noted: “Over the past decade, Artist Boat has been fortunate to work with two willing sellers, land developers whose plans were thwarted by the 2008 collapse of the real estate market. But all that has changed. The Galveston real estate market is now hotter than ever and there is an existential risk that these pristine lands will be lost to high density commercial and residential development.

Al joined Klay in announcing a grass roots and crowd-funding initiative that hopes to raise $10 million over the next two years to continue to drive toward saving the full 1400 acres. “One in a Million” is a deceptively simple concept that will have monumental impact: one million individuals giving $10 each will save these last wild lands on Galveston Island. The Island sits two miles off the Texas coast and 50 miles from the sprawling Houston metroplex, home to more than seven million people. Time is of the essence to keep this place from disappearing forever.

The money raised through “One In A Million” donors will help purchase land directly and the money will be used to match conservation grants dollar for dollar. Plus, the $10 million in donations will turn into $20 million by unlocking other conservation dollars focused on land. There are very few contiguous habitats left on Galveston Island that allow one to see how the island was formed. All within a distance of less than a mile from bay to beach, one can find the barrier island the way the Karankawa Indians and Spanish Explorers found it.

To learn more visit https://www.artistboat.org/be-one-in-a-million/ and watch our Be One In A Million reveal video.

Artist Boat provides inspiration and education through unique coastal experiences serving over 17,000 learners annually through programs (Eco-Art Workshops and Adventures by Kayak, Habitat Restoration Adventures restoring prairies and dunes, Eco-Art Residencies creating public works on campuses, and Professional Development for teachers), land conservation and restoration on Galveston Island, and unique additions to our beach front such as Project SIT (seawall interpretive trail) and Beautify the Bucket (an anti-litter initiative).