NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
FOR NESTING BIRDS & SEA TURTLES
Texas coasts are critical habitats for nesting season. Every Spring, thousands of shorebirds and sea turtles migrate to Texas beaches to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, Texas beaches also accumulate trash ten times faster than any other Gulf state. Marine debris that litters the coast causes great obstacles and hazards to these species and their young. Our mission is to clean Texas' upper coastlines so that nesting birds and sea turtles have a greater chance of success and survival.
Join NestFest to remove marine debris from nesting habitats for birds and sea turtles!
Hosted by SPLASh, Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, and the Galveston Bay Area Chapter - Texas Master Naturalists.
TEXAS SHOREBIRDS
Our beaches are important nesting areas for birds that lay their eggs right on the sand. These beach-nesting birds include the Wilson’s Plover, Snowy Plover, Least Tern, Black Skimmer, and Willet. They use all sections of the beach, from the water’s edge to the dunes, to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. This cleanup will help provide a safe, clean beach for the birds and their chicks before the nesting season kicks off.
TEXAS SEA TURTLES
Texas is home to 5 out of 7 sea turtle species in the world, several of which nest on Texas beaches. From April through July, the most critically endangered species in the world, and the Texas state sea turtle, the Kemp’s Ridley, will come on shore to lay their eggs along our dune line. They will quickly return to the water, leaving the eggs behind. Marine debris on the beach has had significant impacts to our nesting sea turtles, so keeping our shorelines clean is one of the most important things we can do to help this species recover.
Snowy Plover and Chick. Photo by Khaled Mahmud
Least Tern and chicks. Photo by Ray Hennessy
Monofilament line on Texas coast.
Snowy Plover and Chick. Photo by Khaled Mahmud
Critically endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle returning to the water after laying a nest.
Plastic bottle with turtle bites. Photo by Kristen Vale
Kemp's Ridley sea turtle tracks on Bolivar Penisula.
Critically endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle returning to the water after laying a nest.
NESTFEST 2025
Date: March 11, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Locations: Sites along Galveston Island, Follet's Island, and Bolivar Peninsula
Explore the map for cleanup sites.
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NESTFEST IMPACTS
NestFest began in 2023 covering 12 sites along Galveston Island, Follet's Island, and Bolivar Peninsula. In 2024, we added an additional location in Bolivar and hope to continue to grow! Thank you to all volunteers, land managers, and sponsors who make NestFest possible!
2023
2024
DOCUMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERS
To save time at check-in on the day of the cleanup, review the safety documents below and fill out a waiver for each person participating in the cleanup. If you have any questions please email splashtx@abcbirds.org.
