More than 150 people joined Turtle Island Restoration Network at “The Art of Saving Sea Turtles” evening benefit on Sept. 29 at The Bryan Museum in Galveston, Texas.
In its second year, the event is a time for supporters, volunteers, businesses organizations, and artists to come together and celebrate the newest additions to Turtles About Town and the impact the project is having on our sea turtle conservation efforts, as well as boosting local art that brings awareness and charm to Galveston.
Turtles About Town was created in 2018 to help raise awareness about Turtle Island Restoration Network’s efforts to protect sea turtles on the upper Texas coast while helping drive tourism and business to the local economy. So far, 19 sea turtle statues are installed around Galveston Island, each standing at about 5-feet high and representing a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, the Texas state sea turtle and the world’s most endangered sea turtle. Statues are designed by local artists and sponsored by local businesses and individuals.
This year, we enjoyed delightful hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages, and fifty-eight items were donated to the silent auction. Overall, the event raised almost $20,000 for efforts to protect marine biodiversity on the Texas coast and throughout the Gulf of Mexico!
For nearly 25 years, Turtle Island Restoration Network’s efforts on the Texas coast and throughout the Gulf of Mexico have safeguarded sea turtles and engaged the public in our conservation efforts through education, outreach, beach nesting patrols, classroom visits and other habitat protection efforts.
Turtle Island Restoration Network would like to thank you to the many individuals and Galveston businesses for making this event possible, and for the Galveston Island community for being so welcoming to the Turtles About Town program!
