Gulf of Mexico Foundation Brochure

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{ 1902 Wharf Rd, Galveston, TX 77550 } { (409) 763-8160 }
Katie’s Seafood Market is proud to be partners with
the Gulf Wild seafood traceability and sustainability
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Home of the BIG RED SNAPPER
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operated on private sector donations
and government grants, but now that the
Foundation has a goal of making $10 million
a year for projects, membership becomes a
key strategy for the future.
As the discussion turned to the future,
the funding component was noticeably an
important topic, but one thing stood out
above the rest: changing human behavior in
the region.
“If we keep letting the same thing happen
year in and year out, and the future
generations don’t become educated
about preservation and conservation, we
could lose a lot of what makes the Gulf
of Mexico unique and the quality of life it
supports,” Dokken commented. “If we can
build awareness and understanding and
encourage these necessities however,
we’ve got a chance.”
visions and horizons of these kids, and
introduce them to a bigger world, and
even a bigger way of thinking,” Dokken
said. “More than ever we need to teach
kids to be critical thinkers, and the Coastal
Rangers Program is hopefully one way the
GMF will be able to do so.”
Teacher programs are a big part of
the GMF’s education efforts in the
region as well. Nearly 400 teachers
have participated in the GMF’s teacher
continuing education programs. These
teachers reach tens of thousands of
students and non-students annually.
Teachers’ programs include the Down
Under Out Yonder Coral Reef Ecology
Expedition and the Intracoastal Waterway
Expedition. Both programs get teachers
into the field to study the habitats and
socioeconomic structure of the coastal
zone. The Down Under program is its 19th
year and the Intracoastal program is in its
3rd year.
Encouraging Membership
What many people tend to forget about
an organization like the GMF is that it is
not a charity.
“We’re here to educate the general public.
We have always maintained that when you
partner with us, you’re not supporting a
charity, you are investing in a key part of
your mission statement,” Dokken said of
businesses that work with GMF.
Like a charity however, a steady stream
of cash flow can sometimes be an issue.
Many non-profit, educational foundations
like GMF find success in raising money
through public membership services.
Dokken shared the GMF has always
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