< Previous COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANUARY 2025 21 TEXAS STARS Whether they’re rescuing or protecting endangered or injured animals, preserving prairies and reefs or ensuring the health of the ecosystem, these stars are making the Texas Coast a better place for now and the future.22 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANUARY 2025 FEATURE CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL Marine biology professor sets up hospital for endangered turtles C hristopher Marshall, a professor of marine biology at Texas A&M Univer- sity at Galveston, has helped put the need to rescue and research sea turtles in front of many people living on the Gulf Coast. Five years ago, Marshall took over the sea turtle patrol program and set up a hospital on the Texas A&M campus on Pelican Island for sick, injured or cold-stunned turtles. Hundreds of locals have volunteered as patrollers during nesting season and rescuers during cold spells, making a concerted community effort to save this endangered species. Marshall grew up near Baltimore and the Severn River, learning about sea life at an early age. He initially studied sea mammals — spe- cifically manatees — but took a summer job in Florida working with sea turtle nests. “I asked myself what kind of life I wanted and knew I was happiest on the river,” said Marshall, whose degrees were in marine biology and focus has been on turtles and other sea life. One of the things he’s most proud of is the widespread community involvement and outreach concerning sea turtles and beach con- servation, he said. In fact, a new program to be launched early this year involves marine debris and collecting the discarded monofilament lines that entangle turtles and other sea life along the Galveston jetties and Texas City Dike. “The turtles become tethered to the jetty, and as the tide comes in, people watch as the turtles drown,” Marshall said. “It is much more perva- sive than most people know.” Along with his teaching and research sched- ule, the partnerships with local organizations to save the turtles keep him busy, he said. And Marshall is looking forward to the building of a new turtle research center and hospital on the Galveston campus within the next few years. – Barbara Canetti FILE PHOTO: JENNIFER REYNOLDS (Top left) Christopher Marshall, director of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research at Texas A&M University at Galveston, talks about raising money to build a sea turtle rehabilitation and educational outreach center at the Pelican Island campus. (Opposite) An adult male Kemp’s ridley sea turtle rescued by the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research from an angler’s line. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANUARY 2025 23 FILE PHOTO: COURTESY GULF CENTER FOR SEA TURTLE RESEARCH24 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANUARY 2025 FEATURE DIANE HUMES Volunteer whacks, hacks and slashes to preserve coastal prairies F or more than 20 years, Seabrook resident Diane Humes has been planting native grasses along the Gulf Coast prairies, hoping to return these areas to the natural habitats they once were. Each Friday morning, Humes joins a group of volunteers at Armand Bayou Nature Center in the Clear Lake area — one of the nation’s largest urban wilderness preserves — to replant grasses and introduce new native species to the area. The first step the group took was to eliminate invasive species, such as Chinese tallow trees and persimmons. Once the land was cleared, volunteers began restoring the 900-acre prairie. “First we were whacking, hacking and slashing — getting rid of what didn’t belong,” Humes said. “Then we started planting and helping to rebuild the natural prairie.” The group planted seed grasses such as Big Bluestem and Little Bluestem, Switch, Yellow Indian and Gamagrass. Once the plants are about a foot tall, they’re transferred into pots and then into the ground. Little Bluestem is the predominate grass at the preserve, she said. Much of the Gulf Coast at one time was a prairie, but after years of farming, plowing, cattle grazing and neglect, the prairies were in bad shape. Prairieland with native grasses help with flooding and erosion, Humes said. She got interested in revitalizing prairies when she became a member of the then newly formed Galveston Bay Area Master Naturalist more than 20 years ago. “Lawn grass like St. Augustine or Bermuda have roots that only go down about a few inches,” she said. “These native grasses can have roots that go several feet down.” By building a resilient root system, water is absorbed into the plant, which can reduce or prevent flooding, she said. And the grasses attract birds and other animals that live on the prairie lands. Besides the Prairie Fridays, Humes works with the wetlands team, restoring local wetlands for habitats and improving water quality. “I’ve really liked playing in the mud,” she said. “And I have learned to appreciate the prairies. They are beautiful and serve im- portant uses.” – Barbara Canetti “I’ve really liked playing in the mud. And I have learned to appreciate the prairies. They are beautiful and serve important uses.” DIANE HUMESFor more than 20 years, Seabrook resident Diane Humes, a Master Naturalist, has been planting native grasses along the Gulf Coast prairies, hoping to return these areas into the natural habitats they once were. PHOTO: STUART VILLANUEVA26 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANUARY 2025 FEATURE LYNN AND JOHN WRIGHT Tiki Island birders work to rescue injured raptors L ynn and John Wright always have been interested in identifying and watching birds. Since moving to Tiki Island and living on the water, their passion for the flying critters has soared. And although they still enjoy the sport of birdwatching, their enthusiasm has evolved to rescuing injured birds and saving them from dangers, both natural and manmade. The couple’s real birding focus is on raptors — hawks, falcons, harriers and other birds of prey. “We have always been interested in natural systems in Texas, but we really have a passion for raptors,” said John, who has a degree in aquatic biology. He noted there are 34 species of rap- tors, although not all of them are present along the Gulf Coast. “We do like other birds, but hawks are special,” he said. Their interest was piqued in 2012 when they joined the Galveston Bay Area Master Naturalists. They regularly give lectures on hawks and raptors and educate the public about these birds. Each year, the couple participates with other Master Natu- ralists in the bi-annual Hawk Watch in which they count all the migrating hawks in the spring and fall. The hawks seem to gather along the coastline — they prefer not to cross over large bodies of water — and their numbers are higher in the fall because of all the young juveniles. During the Hawk Watch, the Wrights join more than 60 volunteers who gather in specific sites to count the birds. “You have to be patient,” Lynn said. “Some days, there are none and other days there could be 5,000 hawks.” At Smith Point near La Porte, the number of hawks count- ed can top 150,000, she said. The data is gathered to study not only the population, but also the health and migrating habits of the raptors. The Wrights also have been active in rescuing injured or ill birds along the Gulf Coast. When they’re notified of a dis- tressed raptor, gull or pelican, the Wrights go to the location and transport the rescued bird to the Galveston Island Hu- mane Society, where it will be treated or sent to the Wildlife Center in Houston for further evaluation. Frequently, the in- juries involve fishing lines, telephone or electrical lines, boat hits or other accidents. Sometimes, the birds are ill from the heat or lack of fresh water and just need to rest in a cooler environment for a short time to recuperate, John said. Along with their rescue and scientific endeavors, the Wrights just like to observe and enjoy birds, they said. “How can you live in Galveston County and not become a birder?” Lynn said. “There are birds everywhere. You just get hooked on them. It is like an addiction.” – Barbara Canetti PHOTO: COURTESY ED FERRIN COASTMONTHLY.COM | JANUARY 2025 27 PHOTO: JENNIFER REYNOLDS Lynn and John Wright have gone from avid birdwatching to rescuing injured birds, especially raptors like falcons, hawks and other birds of prey. (Opposite) A red-shouldered hawk in flight at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. The red-shouldered hawk is a very common resident species in Texas, particularly in the eastern and southern areas, according to avibirds.com. 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We stand ready to help you honor your loved one by keeping the tradition of offering “Quality, Distinctive and Professional Service”. 3828 Ave O | Galveston, TX 77550 409.762.8470 E. R. Johnson Family MortuaryNext >