Wildlife Monitoring

Throughout the year our employees encounter many animals along Galveston’s 32 miles of beach, many of which are endangered or protected The Park Board provides training to all employees working along the beachfront so they can respond appropriately.  Their specific training includes responding to the turtles, dolphins, and birds they may encounter. 

The Park Board and the Coastal Zone Management crew work closely with environmental partners to ensure best practices are utilized. When a member of the Coastal Zone Management crew comes across these animals, they first contact the appropriate authority who can help. For example, they will call the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network if they encounter a dolphin that has beached itself. Using the training they’ve received; they will stay with the animal until help arrives providing basic life support and comfort. Once someone from the agency arrives, our crews will assist with reporting, crowd control and any other requests from the agency. 

As part of one of our federal permits, each crew member who encounters wildlife in the field is required to complete a Wildlife Monitoring Program Checklist. The information is reported back to the US Army Corps of Engineers as well as the US Fish and Wildlife Service every year.