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What We Do

About Christmas Bay Foundation

The Christmas Bay Foundation was formed to insure the interests of a little known treasure of the Texas Gulf Coast: Christmas Bay. The Christmas Bay Estuarine System and its tributaries is the most pristine bay system of the upper Texas coast, and a vital part of the ecology of the Galveston Bay system, with hatcheries and nurseries for marine life and bird sanctuaries.

The Christmas Bay foundation is dedicated to promoting and preserving this, and other, important natural resources through educational and conservation events, activities, and outreach. Concerned citizens, fishers, and boaters, will be recruited for support with contributions for ongoing and future projects, keeping a watch on the Bay to protect it from polluters and harmful activities, and join in cleanup projects, such as removal of abandoned crab traps and debris. Land around Christmas Bay will be secured to protect against intrusive and harmful development. One of the most important parts of our mission is educating future generations on the importance of preserving the remaining coastal habitat.

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What We Do

 

Meet The Team

Christmas Bay has much to offer as a recreational spot, with fishing, kayaking, birding, and more.

The Christmas Bay Foundation enthusiastically supports such responsible recreational use, with an eye to protecting and having minimal impact on the ecosystem and its natural beauty. Commercial and residential development in the area must only proceed at a proper distance and with respect to conservation of the Christmas Bay Estuarine System.

What We Do

Outreach to the public about Christmas Bay and the environmental concerns of the upper Texas coast.

Promoting efforts by the public to watch for and report abuse of the Christmas Bay ecosystem.

Creating, sponsoring, or promoting educational experiences for all ages to increase environmental consciousness.

Creating, sponsoring, or promoting clean-up projects, such as mesh crab trap removal and picking up dumped building materials.

Sponsoring projects that promote responsible recreational use of Christmas Bay such as the reopening of the kayak and canoe Paddling Trail.

Sponsoring efforts to help protect the nesting sites of shore birds, such as installing nesting boxes for blue herons.

Working with local communities, business, and industry, to promote sustainable and responsible use of Christmas Bay.

Creating, sponsoring, or promoting special events that generate awareness of and promote responsible use of Christmas Bay, provide environmental educational elements, and raise funds for the continued benefit of the Christmas Bay estuarine system.

Seek out and develop creative and mutually supportive alliances with other environmental groups to further the cause of environmental responsibility.

Join us in our efforts

Join us in our efforts to spread the word about, and protect for future generations, the wonders and beauty of Christmas Bay.

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Meet The Team

Jim Olive
Founder-Executive Director

Jim Olive has been photographing wildlife and commercial assignments for over 50 years for corporate clients, non-profits and editorial publications Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, Time-Life, Texas Fish & Game, among others.  He was also selected to photograph the…
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Bruce Bodson
Board Member

Bruce Bodson has been involved in environmental matters for nearly 35 years, as a scientist, consultant, attorney and academic. He is an environmental attorney and scientist in private practice, focusing on matters related to land and water…
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Bryan Slaven
Board Member

Bryan Slaven is an entrepreneur with a passion for creativity, marketing and the outdoors. He has used these abilities in his family’s business, Carol’s Printing, and in his devotion to creating great dishes as The Texas Gourmet. Bryan loves to hunt, fish, cook and garden …
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Andy Lubetkin
Board Member

Andrew is an avid fisherman, outdoorsman and entrepreneur. Following in the steps of his family’s business, Andrew was VP Corporate Development/Real Estate for Oshmans Sporting Goods Inc. Real Estate (1985-2000). Since 2007, he has been ….
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Bryan Frazer
Board Member

Bryan Frazier has been promoting Texas travel, state parks and recreational resources for most of his career, first as Director of Public Affairs for Texas Parks and Wildlife’s State Park system, then as Director of Travel Services for Texas Department of ….
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Lisa Halili
Board Member

Lisa Halili is an entrepreneur with a passion for creativity of the secret of the world of oysters. She has been an hands on deckhand on an oyster /shrimp boat in a business created with her first mate Johnny later in life grew a business, from one boat the devotion to ….
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John Blankenship
Board Member

John Blankenship started out fishing and hunting in Christmas Bay over 55 years ago. John has been in law enforcement in Brazoria County over 49 years. After retiring from Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office as Chief Investigator ….
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Eric Boatman
Board Member

Eric Boatman is an outdoor enthusiast, hunter , fisher, diver, kayaker, businessman, and animal lover. Eric is…
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