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Non-profit trying to save Galveston wetlands
A protector of wildlife is fighting back against the bulldozing of Galveston wetlands. The nonprofit organization, Artist Boat, is racing against the clock to buy land on the island before it is developed into a 52 home neighborhood. FOX 26's Jade Flury is in Galveston with more on where the project stands.
GALVESTON, Texas - A protector of wildlife is fighting back against the bulldozing of Galveston’s wetlands. The non-profit organization called "Artist Boat" is racing against the clock to buy land on the island before it’s developed into a 52-home neighborhood.
Anchor Bay Limited, the owner and developer of the land, is giving the non-profit organization until February 2024 to raise $6.5 million to preserve the land on the Anchor Bay Peninsula. So far, they’ve raised $4.2 million, but that’s still short of their fundraising goal.
"Wetlands are important not just to Galveston island, but to all of our planet," said Karla Klay, the executive director of Artist Boat.
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The 140-acre peninsula is at risk of being developed into a neighborhood that could destroy the ecosystem.
"So if we don’t save it, it will be filled, bulk-headed, and developed with 52 quite large homes," said Klay.
Klay said the development of the land would displace over 600 species of wildlife.
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"90% of all fish shrimps and crabs that we harvest to eat have some part of their life cycle in a wetland or an equestrian environment like we have in Galveston Bay," said Klay.
Not only would the wildlife be harmed, but the development of coastal lands makes flooding worse during hurricane season.
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"Wetlands provide some traction so when the hurricane comes and all that energy of water comes across, the wetlands kind of grab it like sandpaper and slow down the wave energy. Also, the wetland sediments can soak up a ton of water," said Klay.
Anchor Bay Limited is giving the non-profit until next year to purchase and preserve the peninsula.
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"We have a two-year option to purchase the land from them. If we don’t then they will develop the land," said Klay.
In a statement, Anchor Bay Limited said:
"Anchor Bay is and has been an active collaborator with Artist Boat to form the Coastal Heritage Preserve. As developers, our job is to make money of course. However, there is not a prohibition on making money and doing something great with an investment. Artist Boat utilizes appraisals to offer fair market value, works years in advance to affirm to state and federal conservation grant funders that the lands and wetlands are ecologically significant, and is very successful in being awarded very competitive conservation grants. This will be our 3rd transaction with Artist Boat to sell land for conservation purposes in lieu of development and we want them to succeed in their fundraising efforts and in saving over 1,000 acres of land and wetlands for the Texas coast."
"It’s not good for humans to develop every inch of the planet," said Klay.
Artist Boat still has to raise $2.3 million to secure the wetlands at Anchor Bay Peninsula. If they don’t raise all the money, the organization will become a land mitigation partner with the developer to help them repair the damage.
For more information on the Artist Boat's efforts to preserve the Anchor Bay Peninsula, click here.