TITLE: Congratulating Audubon Texas on the 100th anniversary of its coastal island management program.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Audubon Texas on the 100th anniversary of its coastal island management program.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Audubon Texas is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its coastal island management program in 2023; and WHEREAS, Previously known as the Audubon Society of Texas, the organization began its coastal initiative in order to save the reddish egret from extinction; hunters seeking plumes for women's hats had reduced the size of the population to a dangerous level, but a colony survived at Green Island in the Lower Laguna Madre of South Texas; in 1923, the National Audubon Society leased the island from the State of Texas for $1 a year to protect the birds; and WHEREAS, Audubon Texas built on the achievements of this project, working with numerous stakeholders, including the General Land Office, game wardens, port authorities, local leaders, and other partners; the organization secured lease agreements in order to protect and manage critical habitat along the Texas coast, and today, it maintains leases for 177 islands; in addition, it manages four nature centers in Dallas, Cedar Hill, San Antonio, and Brownsville, and it champions a healthy environment that allows birds and people to thrive; and WHEREAS, The Lone Star State now counts 579 bird species, more than any other state in the Union or Canada; through its endeavors, Audubon Texas provides habitat for nesting, loafing, wintering, and other avian activities, while also supporting birding, wildlife watching, and ecotourism; these pursuits add hundreds of millions of dollars to the Texas economy each year; moreover, protected spaces provide many other benefits to the human population of the state, such as slowing erosion and reducing storm surges and the impact of severe weather; and WHEREAS, For the past century, Audubon Texas has practiced careful stewardship of coasts, grasslands, urban territory, and bird populations, and its exceptional contributions have earned the admiration and appreciation of people across the state and beyond; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Audubon Texas on the 100th anniversary of its coastal island management program and extend to all those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for continued success in their important work; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Lujan Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 567 was adopted by the House on March 23, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House