HOUSTON – Make a big SPLASh with small steps!
SPLASh, which stands for Stopping Plastics and Litter Along Shorelines, is a vibrant partnership program between the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, American Bird Conservancy, and Black Cat GIS. Since launching in 2020, SPLASh has been on a mission to raise awareness about the harmful impact of plastic waste on wildlife and inspire communities to act.
Through fun, family-friendly cleanups, SPLASh is making a real difference — and the numbers tell the story. More than 5,000 volunteers have come together to host 200 cleanup events, removing more than 60,000 pounds of trash from local shorelines. You can get involved by joining one of the upcoming cleanups on July 19:
But there’s more! This July, SPLASh invites everyone to take part in the global Plastic Free July movement to cut back on plastics and help keep wildlife safe from harmful waste.
To make it fun and easy, SPLASh teamed up with coffee shops in Galveston and Surfside for a special coffee cup challenge. Bring your clean, reusable cup to any participating shop, and each time you purchase a coffee or tea, earn a stamp on your card. Fill your card and receive a beautifully designed SPLASh-themed ceramic tumbler — while supplies last.
Want to learn more about SPLASh’s mission, impact, and how to make your July plastic-free? Click here to get involved.
Watch the video above to see how SPLASh is making waves in the community — and how you can be part of the movement, one less plastic cup at a time.
The Artist Boat Coastal Heritage Preserve initiative is part of the Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP) series, raising awareness of the conservation efforts to protect our local bays, bayous, and estuaries for future generations. These initiatives are made possible by the support of GBEP through funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Thanks to generous funding from GBEP, TCEQ, and the U.S. EPA, this partnership with the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) at the University of Houston-Clear Lake is paving the way for a sustainable and healthier future.
Check out some of the programs we featured on ‘Houston Life.’
💧 Water-saving tips for your home and keep your lawn green with a rain barrel
🍃 Explore the nature preserve protecting Galveston’s coastline and wildlife
🦪 An oyster’s journey from shore to plate and back to revitalize Galveston Bay
🌊 Keep Houston waterways healthy at Trash Bash 2025
💚 Reviving Houston’s bayous: Inside the restoration project making the city greener