Protecting Gulf Coast birds through research, education, and outreach.

The Gulf Coast Bird Observatory (GCBO) requests operating support to sustain and expand its critical conservation, research, and education programs across the Gulf Coast region. This funding will directly benefit thousands of individuals annually including community members, volunteers, educators, students, and partner organizations who participate in bird monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental education programs. It will also benefit the wildlife and habitats GCBO protects including migratory and resident bird species that rely on coastal prairies, wetlands, and other vital ecosystems.

With these funds, GCBO will support essential staff positions that manage research projects, coordinate educational initiatives, and maintain volunteer and community engagement. Grant resources will also be used to maintain and repair field and research equipment, vehicles, and facilities ensuring safe and efficient operations for fieldwork, restoration projects, and public programs. Specifically, funding will allow GCBO to continue bird banding and population monitoring, conduct habitat restoration and cleanups, transport staff, volunteers, and equipment to field sites, and deliver educational programs in schools, community centers, and public events throughout the greater Houston and Galveston area and surrounding Gulf Coast counties.

This operating support will enable GCBO to achieve measurable conservation outcomes by ensuring uninterrupted research and fieldwork, maintaining healthy habitats for birds and other wildlife, and expanding educational outreach to inspire environmental stewardship. By strengthening the organization’s core capacity, the grant allows GCBO to respond to emerging conservation challenges, reach broader audiences with hands-on learning experiences, and provide opportunities for individuals to engage directly in citizen science and restoration projects. In doing so, GCBO safeguards biodiversity, promotes ecosystem resilience, and fosters community awareness and stewardship, creating lasting benefits for both wildlife and people across the Gulf Coast region.