Community Involvement

An outgrowth of GCA’s continuing interest in responsible environmental management has been an increasing effort to provide education programs that introduce the public, and especially school children, to environmental concerns and solutions. The program includes distribution of classroom teaching materials, environmental demonstrations, participation in such events as Bay Day, Marsh Mania, recycling fairs and presentations before various groups and organizations.

 Of special note is the Authority’s longtime participation in the coordination of the annual River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous "Trash Bash"  cleanup.  Trash Bash is the largest lake and river cleanup in the state and has been the recipient of several prestigious environmental awards since its inception in 1994.  Additionally, GCA in cooperation with Texas Parks and Wildlife secured a grant from the Houston-Galveston Area Council for the creation of an environmental teaching center at Sheldon Lake State Park.

GCA also participates on many local, regional and state environmental committees and organizations such as the Galveston Bay Council, the governing body of the Galveston Bay Estuary Program, the Pasadena Citizens’ Advisory Council, the Bay Area Community Advisory Panel (BAYCAP) and several committees coordinated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council including the Natural Resources Advisory Committee, Bacterial Implementation Group (BIG), and the Clean Rivers Program.   

GCA is also a member of the Texas Water Conservation Association, the Water Environment Association of Texas and the Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies.