Freshwater wetlands in the Houston-Galveston region provide many ecosystem services. Freshwater wetlands capture rainfall and reduce surface runoff to diminish flooding, store nutrients, filter pollutants, and provide valuable habitat for many species of wildlife. These important wetland habitats are being lost at an increasing rate in the Lower Galveston Bay Watershed.
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HARC analyzed impacts of oil and gas exploration and production on wetlands, specifically Upper Texas Gulf Coast Wetlands; prioritizing these impacts specific to wetland functions.
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HARC is working with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board to engage stakeholders in developing a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP). A WPP is a locally developed, voluntary watershed management plan that helps to restore and protect water quality. The WPP process engages stakeholders in a collaborative and participatory approach in watershed planning.
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Non-native invasive species are plants and animals that are introduced and successfully establish reproducing populations in ecosystems in which they do not naturally occur.
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The water quality in Texas’ largest estuary worsened in 2018, a report released Wednesday stated, owing to higher concentrations of pollutants in regional watersheds and bayous and possible lingering effects from Hurricane Harvey.

For the fifth straight year, GBF rated the overall condition of the bay with a grade of "C."

The overall health of the Galveston Bay is adequate for now, but scientists and environmental leaders are pushing to improve the ecosystem’s quality over the coming years.
