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Editorial by David Landriault

U.S.–Finland Icebreaker Pact Positions Galveston to Build a New Fleet—And a New Industry

“This isn’t just shipbuilding—it’s nation-building. And Galveston is now on the map.”

A White House agreement to procure 11 U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters—four built in Finland and seven in the United States—puts Galveston on the map as a polar‑shipbuilding hub. The scope is national‑security big. The opportunity for the Island is bigger.

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The 1839: Journalism with Courage, Integrity, and Pride by David Landriault (Editor in Chief and CEO of The 1839)

At a Glance

The White House and Finland have signed a memorandum to build 11 Arctic Security Cutters—four in Finland and seven in the U.S.—under a $6.1 billion plan. Three ships are slated for Davie’s new Galveston shipyard on Pelican Island. The initiative brings high-skill manufacturing, international expertise, and major economic potential to the Island, supported by local partners like Texas A&M University at Galveston and the Maritime Academy. With the groundwork now laid, Galveston has a chance to anchor a generational industry in advanced shipbuilding.

  • Total: 11 ASCs (medium icebreakers)
  • 4 in Finland; 7 in the U.S.
  • Target: first cutter by 2028
  • Est. cost: ~$6.1B
  • U.S. yards named: Davie (Galveston) and Bollinger (Houma)

An 1839 Editorial: October 10, 2025

U.S.–Finland Icebreaker Pact Positions Galveston to Build a New Fleet—And a New Industry

What was announced

The White House and Finland signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire up to 11 Arctic Security Cutters (ASCs) for the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the plan, four will be built in Finland, with seven constructed in U.S. yards using Finnish designs and know‑how. The estimated program cost is about $6.1 billion, and the first delivery is targeted for 2028, according to officials cited by Reuters and other outlets. Source: Reuters

The administration also issued a Presidential Memorandum—a legal mechanism that explicitly authorizes construction of up to four cutters in foreign shipyards on national‑security grounds while directing the Coast Guard to phase production to the United States over time. Source: The White House

Financial Times, Reuters and maritime trades report that the U.S. work is slated for Davie in Galveston, Texas, and Bollinger Shipyards in Houma, Louisiana. Reuters’ on‑the‑record breakdown (attributed to a U.S. official) is three ships at Davie (Galveston) and four at Bollinger (Houma).

Iceberg ship building coming back to Galveston

What it means for Galveston

1) A flagship industrial investment on Pelican Island.

Davie Defense has unveiled plans to transform Gulf Copper’s historic shipyard in Galveston into an “American Icebreaker Factory”—a $1 billion modernization aimed at building U.S. ASCs at speed and scale. The company says the project could support ~2,000 direct jobs at the yard and more than 7,000 jobs statewide, with an estimated $9 billion economic impact. (These are company projections.) The site is Gulf Copper’s 2920 Todd Rd. complex on Pelican Island, already an active heavy‑repair and drydock operation.

2) A natural workforce pipeline next door.

Galveston is home to Texas A&M University at Galveston and the Texas A&M Maritime Academy—one of just seven U.S. maritime academies and the only one on the Gulf. That proximity could become a strategic talent pipeline for marine engineering, naval architecture, and licensed deck/engine officers as advanced icebreaker work starts up. Source: Texas A&M University Galveston

3) Supply chain, skills, and technology transfer.

The program is deliberately structured to import Finnish expertise first, then on‑shore production. Design partners named by industry include Aker Arctic (Finland) and Seaspan (Canada)—firms with deep polar pedigrees—paired with Bollinger for U.S. construction. That cross‑border partnership is meant to accelerate know‑how transfer in hull form, ice‑class systems, and cold‑weather integration—capabilities that can anchor long‑term, high‑skill manufacturing in the region.

4) A broader geopolitical arc that favors Gulf Coast capacity.

The deal rides alongside the tri‑national ICE Pact (U.S.–Canada–Finland), a framework launched in 2024 to pool polar shipbuilding capacity. If Washington sustains priority on Arctic presence, follow‑on cutters, retrofits, and through‑life support could keep the Gulf Coast—and Galveston specifically—in the game for decades.

Gulf Copper shipyard on Pelican Island in Galveston, Texas, planned site for Davie Defense icebreaker construction.

What’s firm—and what isn’t (yet)

  • The international agreement and presidential directives are signed. The MOU and Presidential Memorandum are in place; the latter cites 14 U.S.C. §1151(b) and 10 U.S.C. §8679(b) to justify foreign construction as a national‑security necessity and directs the Coast Guard to plan the on‑shoring path.
  • The U.S. yard split is publicly stated—but contract details can evolve. Reuters reports 3 Galveston / 4 Houma today. Separately, a Bollinger press release says a Bollinger‑led international team was selected to build six ASCs, with the first three coming via parallel early construction at Rauma (Finland) and Bollinger (U.S.) before shifting fully domestic—language that does not perfectly align with Reuters’ count. Expect clarification as contracting actions are published.
  • Davie’s Galveston buildout is significant—but still proceeding through approvals. Davie’s acquisition of Gulf Copper assets in Galveston and Port Arthur and its yard transformation plan remain subject to financial, legal, regulatory and lease approvals, per WorkBoat’s reporting.
  • Funding and oversight will shape the schedule. The Coast Guard has been evaluating ASC options within the FY25 budget and supplemental debates, and Congress will scrutinize costs and timelines, particularly alongside the Polar Security Cutter program.

 

Bottom line for Galveston right now:

The policy direction and intent are clear—Galveston is in the plan. Contracts, yard upgrades, and workforce ramp are the next gates. On the Island, the opportunity is to organize talent pipelines, supplier networks, and logistics now, so that when steel is ready to cut, Galveston can execute at scale.

The cutters themselves

Industry materials tied to the Bollinger‑led team point to a multi‑purpose icebreaker design from Seaspan + Aker Arctic. Reported performance goals include breaking ~4 feet of ice, 12,000‑nm range, and >60 days endurance, enabling missions from sovereignty patrol to SAR and research support in harsh conditions. (Final U.S. requirements will be set by the Coast Guard.)

 

Local readiness: a few practical considerations

  • Pelican Island access and heavy logistics. The Island’s Gulf Copper yard is on Pelican Island, which saw a barge strike and temporary bridge closure in 2024; the bridge subsequently reopened with restrictions. As industrial activity grows, redundant and resilient access (roadway and waterside) will be critical.
  • Workforce partnerships. TAMUG’s Maritime Academy and marine engineering programs are a ready partner for apprenticeships, credentials, and officer licensing aligned to shipbuilding and sustainment roles.
  • Supplier base. Advanced ice‑class vessels demand specialized steel, propulsion, HVAC, coatings, sensors, and electronics that perform in extreme cold. Early vendor outreach will help anchor more of that value chain on the Gulf Coast.

 

Why this matters

For decades, the U.S. lagged in icebreaking while rivals built capacity. This pact shortens the timeline by pairing Finnish leadership in polar ships with American yards—and seeds a homegrown industry on the Gulf. If Galveston executes, the “American Icebreaker Factory” won’t be a one‑off project; it can become a signature capability for the Island, attracting follow‑on classes, retrofits, and high‑skill maritime careers for a generation.

David Landriault

David Landriault

Founder of The 1839

David is the co-founder (alongside his brilliant, infinitely patient wife Christy) of The 1839 and Falcontail Marketing & Design — two ventures built on storytelling, strategy, and a deep love for community.

At Falcontail, David has quietly helped shape the marketing presence of organizations ranging from Stanford University to local legends like Sunflower Bakery & Café. He’s known for turning big, messy ideas into sharp, strategic campaigns — the kind that move people, not just pixels.

He’s been called a creative powerhouse, a strategic Swiss Army knife, and the guy who always ‘has a guy’ for everything. But despite his track record, David avoids the spotlight, preferring to elevate others, solve impossible problems, and deliver dad jokes with unnerving confidence. His work is serious. He just refuses to take himself too seriously.

Join the Conversation: Share Your Galveston Story

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]]> Galveston-ship-building-us-and-finland-4 ice-breaker-ship-building Galveston-ship-building-us-and-finland-5 David L icons8-facebook-100 icons8-instagram-100 (1) icons8-call-100 icons8-email-100 When 28.57% is a Majority: Galveston’s No-New-Revenue Risk https://the1839.com/when-28-57-is-a-majority-galvestons-no-new-revenue-risk/ Thu, 18 Sep 2025 20:29:18 +0000 https://the1839.com/?p=2403 Galveston’s debate over the “no-new-revenue” tax rate isn’t about saving pennies—it’s about protecting people. For less than $75 a year, the city can fund firefighters, police, drainage, and storm reserves. Without it, essential services erode and just 28.57% of council can block the majority.

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An Editorial by David Landriault

Galveston no-new-revenue tax rate

Why Galveston Can’t Afford This “No-New-Revenue” Rate

In my interview with Mayor Craig Brown yesterday he warned that the no-new-revenue rate isn’t a quick fix—it’s a slow erosion of Galveston’s ability to serve its people. From fire protection to storm recovery, underfunding today creates bigger risks tomorrow. As Brown puts it:

“No new revenue doesn’t cause a major disruption at one time. It chips away constantly at your ability to provide quality service for our residents.”

Galveston no-new-revenue tax rate

TL;DR

“Galveston’s “no-new-revenue” tax rate might sound harmless, but the hidden cost is safety, preparedness, and infrastructure. For less than $75 a year for the average household, residents’ tax dollars keep fire stations ready, drainage projects moving, and reserves strong enough to withstand the next hurricane. Mayor Craig Brown warns: “No new revenue doesn’t cause a major disruption at one time. It chips away constantly at your ability to provide quality service for our residents.” Refusing that investment risks undercutting the very services that keep the city safe and resilient.”

~ David Landriault

The Hidden Cost of “No New Revenue"

When 28.57% is a Majority

Why Galveston Can’t Afford This “No-New-Revenue” Rate

 

The mayor’s office feels busy even when it’s quiet. Papers on the desk, messages blinking on the phone, another meeting coming up at 11:30. Craig Brown is always on the go, but when I sit down with him, as always, his attention is focused on the real solutions to difficult issues. As the subject turns to the budget—and specifically the no-new-revenue tax rate—he stops, settles back, and gives me the kind of straight talk that only comes from someone as politically brave as Craig.

“No new revenue doesn’t cause a major disruption at one time,” he says, his voice measured. “It chips away constantly at your ability to provide quality service for our residents. And that’s where, in my opinion, we are at this particular point in time.”

That word—chip—hangs in the air. Because the cuts aren’t dramatic. They’re invisible at first. But they add up.

 

A Question of Pennies—or Protection

For most Galveston homeowners, the difference between the no-new-revenue rate and the city’s adopted budget amounts to less than $75 a year. That’s it. One dinner out.

But those pennies, multiplied across the tax base, fund the essentials. The fire station that can house trucks big enough to fight blazes in mid-rise condos. The overtime shifts that keep police on 61st Street when cruise traffic clogs the island. The drainage projects that decide whether your street floods during the next heavy rain.

The city’s contractual commitments such as those to first responders remain fixed, but adopting a no-new-revenue rate leaves little flexibility to fully meet those obligations or cover other rising expenses.

That’s the hidden cost. It’s not whether you save $75. It’s whether the firefighter who shows up at your door has the right support, the right team, and the right truck to do the job.

 

The Reserve Fund: Galveston’s Oxygen

For years, Galveston has taken pride in its 120-day reserve fund. It’s more than a bragging point with Wall Street. It’s the city’s oxygen tank—the money it breathes in those first critical weeks after a hurricane, long before FEMA checks arrive, and one of the reasons the city has an AA+ bond rating, one of the highest you can receive.

The no-new-revenue rate cuts that cushion by 11 days. Eleven days may not sound like much, but in a crisis it’s the difference between being ready and being desperate.

“It’s not if we have a catastrophe, it’s going to be when,” Brown says. “And we financially need to be prepared.”

What makes this more urgent is what’s happening in Washington. FEMA’s reimbursement formulas are shifting. The city used to front 10% of recovery costs. Now it’s 20%. Federal officials are already hinting that local governments will have to carry this load now, and that could mean even higher risks of unreimbursed repairs.

Cutting reserves today, in that context, is like canceling your insurance because you didn’t file a claim last year.

 

Infrastructure and the Fire Station Trade-off

Everyone agrees Galveston needs a new Fire Station 2. The bond issue enjoys wide support. But here’s the catch: without new revenue, the city must raid its infrastructure fund to pay the debt.

“You may fund a fire station,” Brown warns, “but you don’t have money to repair the potholes and streets and drainage. That’s the trade-off.”

It’s a quiet trade. Residents won’t notice in the first month. But a year later, when the potholes multiply and drainage projects fall behind, they’ll feel it in ways far more disruptive than an extra $75 on a tax bill.

 

The Business Analogy

Think of the city as a business. Costs rise every year—supplies, payroll, insurance. If a law forces you to charge last year’s prices, you don’t become more efficient. You cut corners until quality breaks.

“Every time you establish a tax rate, that becomes your base rate,” Brown explains. “If you maintain a no-new-revenue rate, it causes cities to move in a direction of decreased funding year after year compared to what their cost of doing business is.”

That’s not living within your means. That’s starving the engine until it seizes.

 

What Gets Cut First

The city manager won’t gut the police force tomorrow. The fire department won’t shut down next week. Instead, the cuts creep in:

  • A patrol car kept in service too long.
  • A drainage project delayed another cycle.
  • A fire truck that can’t fit in an outdated station.
  • Vacancies left unfilled until morale starts to slip.

Brown captures it best: “You’ll basically wake up one day and go, ‘This is not the quality that I remember Galveston can provide.’”

 

Growth Without Capacity Is a Mirage

This debate comes as Galveston faces opportunity on a scale not seen in decades. A billion-dollar Davie shipyard on Pelican Island could anchor thousands of jobs. Cruise terminals are expanding. New condos and hotels rise on both ends of the island.

But growth creates costs first—traffic, EMS calls, infrastructure stress—long before the revenue flows in. If Galveston can’t fund its basics, opportunity risks turning into overload.

 

Majority Rule vs. Minority Veto

The strangest part of all this? A minority of council members can impose it. Two people out of seven, just 28.57%, can overrule the majority on the most important decision of the year.

Brown shared his honest thoughts on this: “There needs to be a re-evaluation of the tax cap. One size doesn’t fit all. Galveston has concerns that other cities don’t have—and vice versa. The system shouldn’t be so punitive.”

That’s not democracy. That’s minority rule baked into law.

 

The Real Choice

So here’s the story:

  • You can save less than $75 this year.
  • Or you can fund the people who keep you safe, the reserves that keep you alive after a storm, and the infrastructure that keeps the city running.

That’s the choice.

For Brown, it’s about telling residents the truth, even when it’s not popular. “Look at your personal budgets,” he says. “If someone told you, ‘You cannot receive any more revenue than you had last year,’ while your costs are going up—bread, milk, insurance—you’d see that your cost of living is going up while your income stays the same. That’s exactly what no-new-revenue means for the city.”

 

The Bottom Line

This isn’t about whether you like taxes. It’s about whether Galveston works—on a Tuesday night when your family needs an ambulance, on a Saturday when the causeway clogs with tourists, and on the morning after a storm when the city must stand back up.

For less than $75 a year, we can keep Galveston safe, competitive, and ready. Or we can handcuff ourselves with a slogan and let 28.57% of council chip away at the foundation of the city we all depend on.

Because when a minority calls the shots, the math doesn’t just look bad, it endangers the future.

David Landriault

David Landriault

Founder of The 1839

David is the co-founder (alongside his brilliant, infinitely patient wife Christy) of The 1839 and Falcontail Marketing & Design — two ventures built on storytelling, strategy, and a deep love for community.

At Falcontail, David has quietly helped shape the marketing presence of organizations ranging from Stanford University to local legends like Sunflower Bakery & Café. He’s known for turning big, messy ideas into sharp, strategic campaigns — the kind that move people, not just pixels.

He’s been called a creative powerhouse, a strategic Swiss Army knife, and the guy who always ‘has a guy’ for everything. But despite his track record, David avoids the spotlight, preferring to elevate others, solve impossible problems, and deliver dad jokes with unnerving confidence. His work is serious. He just refuses to take himself too seriously.

Join the Conversation: Share Your Galveston Story

Share Now

The post When 28.57% is a Majority: Galveston’s No-New-Revenue Risk appeared first on The 1839.

]]> no-new-revenue-galveston David L icons8-facebook-100 icons8-instagram-100 (1) icons8-call-100 icons8-email-100 BOI: Galveston’s Wildest Natives https://the1839.com/boi-galvestons-wildest-natives/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 18:33:22 +0000 https://the1839.com/?p=1151 The post BOI: Galveston’s Wildest Natives appeared first on The 1839.

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Icons of Survival: The Wild Truth Beneath Galveston

BOI: Born on the Island – Galveston’s Wildest Natives

(Born On the Island — and born to survive)

A vivid exploration of Galveston’s native animals and how their survival stories mirror the island’s rugged, enduring spirit. 

Galveston’s barrier island ecosystem comes to life through its remarkable animal residents. From the adaptable diamondback terrapin to the alert swamp rabbit and hard-shelled armadillo, each species reflects the island’s resilience and character. The roseate spoonbill adds a flash of bold beauty, while the unassuming Gulf killifish quietly endures in the harshest conditions. Together, they embody Galveston’s gritty spirit and the quiet strength found just beneath the surface.

Full Article

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*Photo credit Harry Blair

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TL;DR Section

Galveston’s wildest animals — from diamondback terrapins to roseate spoonbills — reflect the resilient, eccentric spirit of the island and its people. These creatures aren’t just part of the ecosystem; they serve as living metaphors for Galveston’s culture, history, and survival. The article journeys through salt marshes and dunes, beginning with the terrapin, uniquely adapted to brackish waters like Galveston’s legacy families adapting to constant change. The swamp rabbit echoes the quiet persistence of historic neighborhoods. The armored armadillo embodies the island’s blue-collar grit, while the flamboyant roseate spoonbill channels Galveston’s bold creatives. At the shoreline’s edge, the humble Gulf killifish quietly endures — a symbol of the everyday workers who power the island’s heartbeat. Together, these species tell a deeper story of life on the edge, where beauty, strength, and survival are always intertwined.

— Chrsity Landriault

Island Originals: Wildlife That Defines Galveston

BOI: Born on the Island – Galveston’s Wildest Natives

Galveston is a place defined by contrasts — where the wild meets the worn, and survival takes unexpected forms. ~ Christy Landriault

Galveston is a place of contradictions — a thin, shifting line between land and sea, where wind-rippled dunes give way to salt marshes and brackish wetlands, where flashes of improbable pink slice through the green murk of tidal channels, and armored ghosts trundle through thorny brush. Shaped by storms and tides, by grit and reinvention, this barrier island is a haven for the unusual and the enduring. The creatures that live here aren’t just survivors of the wild — they are emblematic of the island itself: tough, strange, and perfectly adapted to life on the edge.

Our journey begins at the edge, where salt marshes stretch toward the bay, and the brackish waters cradle one of Galveston’s most ancient natives: the diamondback terrapin. With its speckled shell and curious, upturned face, this turtle is a living paradox — the only turtle in North America evolved specifically for the murky chaos of coastal marshes. It drifts between worlds: fresh and salt, water and land, danger and resilience. Like so many legacy families and old Galveston names, the terrapin lives in the in-between, navigating uncertainty with quiet grace and stubborn instinct.

image of a diamondback terrapin diving in the water
image of a swamp rabbit washing his face

Photo Credit: Harry Blair

Push deeper into the marsh, and fur flickers where you expected feathers or scales. Here lives the swamp rabbit, a creature of stillness and adaptation. Its fur is already wet from a morning swim; its ears twitch at the ripple of an unseen threat. It slips through salt grass like memory through an old neighborhood. Like the East End itself — steeped in storms, shadowed in history, forever adjusting to change — the swamp rabbit stays alive by staying alert. It swims. It listens. It waits. It endures.

As the mud hardens to sand and the breeze thickens with salt, another oddball emerges: the nine-banded armadillo. Bony and awkward, it seems out of time, more suited for a fossil exhibit than a Gulf Coast dune. But underestimate it at your peril. It can leap straight into the air when startled. It can swim. It can tunnel through the island’s skin like a miner with a mission. This is the creature of blue-collar Galveston — the roofer, the mechanic, the shrimp boat hand. Hard-shelled. Unfussy. Always moving. Always digging. It doesn’t seek attention; it seeks survival.

Then, a shock of color. A ripple of feathers. The marsh explodes with the rosy hue of the spoonbill — wings wide, bill sweeping like a metronome across the shallows. Awkward, yes. But elegant, too. Its vivid pink plumage, borrowed from algae-fed shrimp, gleams against the mud. This is nature’s extrovert. A beacon. It reminds us that beauty often hides in the overlooked. Like Galveston’s boldest artists and entrepreneurs, the spoonbill doesn’t shout. It just arrives, unapologetically, and leaves the landscape changed.

Finally, at the last whisper of land, where reeds bend to open bay, you find the most humble of them all: the Gulf killifish. No feathers, no plates, no pigment to boast of. But this little silver survivor has mastered the extremes. It lives in the runoff, the overflow, the oxygen-poor and the overheated. It doesn’t leap or wail. But it endures. Through flood and freeze. Through drought and surge. When the air grows thin, it rises to sip the surface. Patient. Practiced. A reminder that the quietest things can carry the most weight. Like Galveston’s cooks, clerks, janitors, and fishermen — the island’s quiet heartbeat.

These creatures don’t carry BOI birth certificates. But they’ve earned the name in salt, mud, and bone.

They survive the storms, ride the seasons, and make the most of what they’ve got — just like the people who call this island home. To love Galveston is to know what survives beneath the surface.

The tides weren’t made for comfort. Neither were you.
But here you are Galveston—salt-marked, sun-scarred, and still rising.

Sources: Click here for full list.

Photo Credit: Harry Blair

Christy Landriault

Christy Landriault

Co-Founder of Falcontail Marketing & Design and The 1839

Christy Landriault co-founded both Falcontail and The 1839 with her husband, David, blending strategy with soul. A lifelong nature lover and fierce advocate for Galveston’s wild spaces, she brings heart, clarity, and creative depth to every project. Her work empowers small businesses to grow with purpose—always rooted in community, beauty, and truth. At The 1839, her vision helps shape stories that matter and a platform that uplifts the island she calls home.

Photo Credit:

Harry Blair – Proud 39er and Owner of Sunflower Bakery & Cafe. Check out the Sunflower Bakery and Cafe website and follow them on social media!

Join the Conversation: Share Your Galveston Story

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]]> TLDR-Icon Social-Icon TLDR-Icon Social-Icon diamondback-terrapin-001-SQ-2 galveston-swamp-rabbit-02-hb galveston-spoonbills-002-HB Christy icons8-facebook-100 icons8-instagram-100 (1) icons8-call-100 icons8-email-100 The Secret Life of Sea Turtles (and How to Respect It) https://the1839.com/life-of-sea-turtles-christy-landriault/ Thu, 01 May 2025 14:05:01 +0000 https://the1839.com/?p=769 Sea turtles have become Galveston icons—from painted sculptures on sidewalks to real-life hatchlings emerging under moonlight. But beyond the art and admiration lies a fragile fight for survival, one that calls on all of us to protect the coast they depend on.

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Unveiling the Hidden Importance of Turtles in Galveston

The Secret Life of Sea Turtles (and How to Respect It)

“The turtles have heard the call of Galveston’s shore for millions of years—now, we must hear their call for help.”

Galveston’s connection to sea turtles runs deeper than public art—it’s rooted in biology, conservation, and a shared coastline under threat. This article explores the secret lives of sea turtles, including nesting habits, species diversity, and the ancient instincts guiding their journeys. It highlights Galveston’s growing role in protecting endangered species like the Kemp’s Ridley through beach patrols, habitat restoration, and community education. From climate change and rising tides to simple beach etiquette, every decision we make affects the future of these remarkable creatures—and of the island itself.

Full Article

At the 1839, we believe you should have choices in how you consume your news and entertainment, so we offer you four options on learning more about this topic. Pick the one that appeals to you the most, and then be sure and follow us on social media to let us know what you think in our online forums.

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Prefer to watch instead?

Not in the mood to read the whole thing? That’s okay.

This short video isn’t a retelling of the article—it’s a visual reflection. A few quiet, coastal moments that capture why sea turtles—and this island—mean so much to me.

It’s not about facts or stats. It’s about feeling. About seeing Galveston the way I see it: a place where nature still speaks, if we’re willing to slow down and listen.

— Christy Landriault

 

Podcast: Voices from the Past

Prefer to Listen

Here’s an audio version of the story, read in my own words. Whether you’re on a walk, driving, or just taking a moment, I hope you enjoy it!

TL;DR Section

The Secret Life of Sea Turtles

Sea turtles have become a beloved symbol in Galveston—but beyond the art and alerts are real, endangered animals that need our help.

  • Kemp’s ridleys—the world’s most endangered sea turtle—nest right here on Galveston-area beaches.

  • Galveston’s conservation legacy runs deep, from NOAA’s early head-start program to today’s research led by the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research.

  • Sea turtles are vital to coastal ecosystems, helping maintain healthy seagrass beds, reefs, and ocean floors.

  • Local groups and volunteers play a crucial role, from beach patrols and nest protection to public education and advocacy.

👉 Want to understand what’s really at stake—and how you can help? Read the full story below!

The Secret Life of Sea Turtles (and How to Respect It)

Christy Landriault - Proud 39er and Co-Founder

“When we protect Galveston, we protect more than a shoreline—we protect a legacy of resilience that includes the sea turtles who’ve called it home long before we did.” ~ Christy Landriault

They greet visitors from art galleries, parks, sidewalks, and storefronts—brightly painted sea turtle sculptures scattered across the island like coastal guardians. The Turtles About Town project began as a way to raise awareness, but it’s become something more: a symbol of how deeply Galveston has embraced its role in protecting these ancient mariners.

Locals now report turtle sightings with the same urgency they once reserved for storms. But beyond the fiberglass and phone alerts lies a quieter truth: the real sea turtles of Galveston live secret, extraordinary lives—carried by tides, guided by instinct, and increasingly threatened by our choices. Their survival depends not just on admiration, but on action—and protecting Galveston itself is the key to protecting them.

Meet Galveston’s Wild Sea Turtles

Meet Galveston’s Wild Sea Turtles

They’ve outlived the dinosaurs, crossed oceans, and returned—again and again—to the beaches where their stories began. Galveston Island plays host to several sea turtle species, each with its own rhythm and role in the coastal ecosystem.

Green sea turtles are the most commonly spotted offshore, often seen grazing on seagrass beds near jetties or boat channels. Loggerheads may nest occasionally along the Texas coast—about once every other year on the Upper Coast—but they are rare. While green sea turtle nesting is expanding northward, they have not yet established nesting here.

But it’s the Kemp’s ridley—the smallest, most endangered sea turtle on Earth—that makes Galveston’s role especially meaningful.

🟢 Kemp’s Ridley Spotlight

  • Critically endangered and once on the brink of extinction, Kemp’s ridleys are the rarest of all sea turtle species.
  • They are the only species known to nest during the day, and the only sea turtles nesting regularly on the Upper Texas Coast.
  • Their primary nesting grounds remain in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and Padre Island, but for several decades, they’ve also returned to Galveston-area beaches.
  • Since formal surveys began in 2002, Texas A&M University at Galveston has led the region’s monitoring efforts, typically recovering 12–15 nests each year.
  • In April 2025, the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) confirmed the second nest of the season on Surfside Beach—a clutch of 99 eggs discovered by volunteers with the Sea Aggie Sea Turtle Patrol, a GCSTR program.

These nesting events are remarkable—but they’re not new, and not a sign of local recovery on their own. The Upper Texas Coast lies just outside the species’ historic nesting range, and while Galveston plays a consistent role in the broader effort, recovery is measured statewide, across all Texas beaches.

📍 Note: Most nests laid on the Upper Coast are carefully relocated to protected incubation sites at Padre Island National Seashore, which offers higher hatch success rates and helps safeguard against local threats like flooding and predators.

    📦 Conservation Legacy: The Foundations Beneath Today’s Efforts

    Before there were patrols and painted turtles, Galveston’s conservation roots were already decades deep.

    For over 40 years, the NOAA Galveston Laboratory ran a pioneering head-start program for Kemp’s ridleys, helping re-establish this endangered species in the Gulf. The Houston Zoo, under the guidance of experts like Dr. Joe Flanagan, also played a vital role in rescue, rehabilitation, and veterinary care for sea turtles along the coast.

    These efforts helped lay the foundation for the work now led by the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR) at Texas A&M University at Galveston—the only sea turtle research center at a Texas university permitted to conduct hands-on work with wild sea turtles.

    “We’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before us,” says Dr. Christopher Marshall, director of GCSTR. “Their legacy continues in every nest we protect and every turtle we help rehabilitate.”

    The Ancient Journey

    Long before beach houses and condos dotted the coast, sea turtles were navigating these same waters. Their lives are built on instinct—and risk.

    • Nesting: Female Kemp’s ridleys crawl ashore during the day to dig nests with their flippers. While artificial light is a major concern in many nesting areas, it’s not currently a significant factor on the Upper Texas Coast.
    • Hatchlings: After about 50 days, hatchlings emerge—often mid-morning or afternoon—facing predators like ghost crabs, birds, and raccoons before they even reach the surf.
    • Migration: Sea turtles travel thousands of miles through the open ocean, navigating dangers from fishing gear and oil spills to boat strikes and shrinking feeding grounds.
    • Return: While females are believed to return to their natal region, it’s not exact. On the Texas coast, most nests are relocated to the protected beaches of Padre Island National Seashore, where incubation is more secure.

    🐢 Did you know? Leatherback sea turtles can dive deeper than most whales—up to 4,000 feet beneath the surface.

    Why Sea Turtles Matter

    Sea turtles do more than inspire awe—they help keep entire ecosystems in balance.

    • Seagrass Health: Green sea turtles graze on seagrass beds, keeping them short and healthy—essential for commercially and recreationally important fish species.
    • Reef Systems: Hawksbills help control sponge growth on coral reefs, allowing corals to thrive.
    • Seafloor Balance: Kemp’s ridleys and loggerheads feed on crabs, shellfish, and other bottom-dwellers, maintaining balance in benthic habitats.

    If sea turtles disappeared, we wouldn’t just lose a species—we’d risk unraveling the very systems that keep coastal life (and livelihoods) thriving.

    Galveston’s Role in Their Future

    Barrier islands like Galveston are more than vacation spots—they’re part of a larger ecological network supporting nesting, feeding, and migration. And the island is rising to the occasion.

    Through programs like the Sea Aggie Sea Turtle Patrol and research at the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR), Texas A&M University at Galveston plays a central role in sea turtle science and conservation on the Upper Texas Coast. GCSTR is currently leading an effort to expand its short-term rehabilitation hospital into a modern education and outreach center—complete with non-releasable turtles the public can see and learn from.

    Meanwhile, Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) helps amplify public awareness through community education, conservation campaigns, and initiatives like the TIDE Campaign, which advocates for a new discovery and education center in Galveston. Their outreach encourages stewardship across all ages and backgrounds, making sea turtle protection accessible to everyone.

    Other groups—including Artist Boat, the Galveston Bay Foundation, Jamaica Beach, and the Village of Surfside—work alongside the Texas General Land Office, USFWS, and the Army Corps of Engineers to protect and restore the habitats turtles depend on.

    Save the Island, Save the Turtles

    Protecting sea turtles means protecting the place they depend on—and that means facing Galveston’s greatest challenge: climate change.

    • Rising temperatures can skew sex ratios in turtle hatchlings (but because most Texas nests are relocated, local sand temperatures are not currently impacting hatchling development)
    • Erosion and sea-level rise reduce available nesting habitat
    • Stronger storms can destroy nests and damage critical habitat

    Galveston’s nature-based resilience efforts—like dune building, wetland restoration, and oyster reef construction—benefit not only the island’s residents and economy but also its wildlife.

    Save the Island, Save the Turtles

    Protecting sea turtles means protecting the place they depend on—and that means facing Galveston’s greatest challenge: climate change.

    • Rising temperatures can skew sex ratios in turtle hatchlings (but because most Texas nests are relocated, local sand temperatures are not currently impacting hatchling development)
    • Erosion and sea-level rise reduce available nesting habitat
    • Stronger storms can destroy nests and damage critical habitat

    Galveston’s nature-based resilience efforts—like dune building, wetland restoration, and oyster reef construction—benefit not only the island’s residents and economy but also its wildlife.

    A Shared Future

    From painted sculptures to early morning nest discoveries, sea turtles have become part of Galveston’s identity. And locals have stepped up—reporting nests, respecting the dunes, and setting an example for visitors to follow.

    But the work isn’t over.

    A Shared Future

    From painted sculptures to early morning nest discoveries, sea turtles have become part of Galveston’s identity. And locals have stepped up—reporting nests, respecting the dunes, and setting an example for visitors to follow.

    But the work isn’t over.

    🧡 What You Can Do: Turtle Tips for Locals and Visitors

    You don’t need a degree to make a difference. Just a little awareness goes a long way.

    ✅ Easy Ways to Help:

    • Join or organize a beach cleanup
    • Recycle plastic bags—or better yet, avoid them entirely
    • Pick up fishing lines, hooks, and other debris
    • Fill in holes dug on the beach, which can trap hatchlings
    • Plant native, coastal-friendly plants in your yard or neighborhood

    🏖️ Etiquette During Nesting Season:

    • Avoid unnecessary disturbances
    • Respect nests and give volunteers space to work
    • Report turtle tracks, nests, or hatchlings to a ranger, patroller, or call 1-866-TURTLE-5

    🧪 Support the Science and Stewardship

      🧪 Support the Science and Stewardship

        If you’d like to support Galveston’s sea turtles long-term, consider contributing to the groups working hardest to protect them.

        🐢 Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR)

        The only sea turtle research center at a Texas university

        • Leads monitoring, recovery, and hands-on rehabilitation
        • Raising funds for a modern hospital and outreach facility
        • The only group in the region permitted to conduct hands-on work with wild sea turtles
        • Responsible for the Texas Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate

        🔗 Learn more or donate
        🏥 Visit the Sea Turtle Hospital
        🚘 Get the Texas Sea Turtle License Plate

        🌊 Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN)

        • Advocates for education and community-based conservation
        • Supports the TIDE Campaign to build a Turtle Island Discovery & Education Center in Galveston

        🔗 Support the TIDE Campaign

        Christy Landriault

        Christy Landriault

        Co-Founder of Falcontail Marketing & Design and The 1839

        Christy Landriault co-founded both Falcontail and The 1839 with her husband, David, blending strategy with soul. A lifelong nature lover and fierce advocate for Galveston’s wild spaces, she brings heart, clarity, and creative depth to every project. Her work empowers small businesses to grow with purpose—always rooted in community, beauty, and truth. At The 1839, her vision helps shape stories that matter and a platform that uplifts the island she calls home.

        Join the Conversation: Share Your Galveston Story

        Share Now

        The post The Secret Life of Sea Turtles (and How to Respect It) appeared first on The 1839.

        ]]>         turtle-01 Video-Icon TLDR-Icon Audip-Icon Social-Icon video-placeholder-01 2560×1554-city-hall-turtle turtle Baby Green sea turtle on the beach. Baby Green sea turtle on the beach on the Swahili coast, Tanzania. underwater-view-of-turtle-2025-02-18-15-28-44-utc Sunset baby-turtle-going-to-the-sea-2024-10-11-18-17-13-utc Christy icons8-facebook-100 icons8-instagram-100 (1) icons8-call-100 icons8-email-100         The Rhythm of the Island: How Galveston Businesses (and Locals) Can Thrive Year-Round https://the1839.com/rhythm-of-the-island-teresa-wagonseller/ Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:01:34 +0000 https://the1839.com/?p=389 There’s a rhythm to life on Galveston Island. If you live here long enough, you can feel it.

        Once you’re in sync, everything changes. In The Rhythm of the Island, I reflect on how embracing this unique flow has helped me—and the business owners I work with—not just survive the off-season, but thrive in it.

        Written By: Teresa Wagonseller, CPA, Fractional CFO, and proud member of The 39ers.

        The post The Rhythm of the Island: How Galveston Businesses (and Locals) Can Thrive Year-Round appeared first on The 1839.

        ]]>

        Discover the Untold Stories Behind Iconic Moments

        The Rhythm of the Island: How Galveston Businesses (and Locals) Can Thrive Year-Round

        BY TERESA WAGONSELLER

        Galveston moves to its own beat—and once you’re in sync, everything changes.

        This isn’t a place where success comes from boardrooms or bottom lines. It’s built-in porch conversations, neighborly favors, and quiet seasons that offer space to breathe and build. In The Rhythm of the Island, Teresa reflects on how embracing this unique flow has helped her—and the business owners she works with—not just survive the off-season, but thrive in it. 

        Full Article

        At the 1839, we believe you should have choices in how you consume your news and entertainment, so we offer you four options on learning more about this topic. Pick the one that appeals to you the most, and then be sure and follow us on social media to let us know what you think in our online forums.

        Watch Video
        Short Read
        Listen to Audio
        Share on Social

        Prefer to watch instead?

        It’s 2025—Who Even Reads Anymore?

        No judgment. I get it.

        This video isn’t a recap of Teresa’s article—it’s something else entirely. A quiet little visual reflection for the ones who feel things more through visuals than paragraphs. Think of it as a mood, a rhythm, a soft snapshot of what Galveston looks and sounds like through her lens…

        It’s the heartbeat.

        — David Landriault

        Podcast: Voices from the Past

        Prefer to Listen

        Here’s an audio version of the story, read by Nia H. Whether you’re on a walk, driving, or just taking a moment, I hope you enjoy it!

        TL;DR Section

        Living in Galveston has taught me there’s a rhythm to island life—and the off-season is where the real magic happens. Here are the key takeaways.

        • Galveston’s off-season is where true opportunity lies.
        • It’s a time for business owners and locals to regroup and reflect.
        • Community and creativity matter more than the bottom line.
        • The “lull” isn’t a setback—it’s a gift.

        — Teresa Wagonseller

        The Evolution of Storytelling

        The Rhythm of the Island: How Galveston Businesses (and Locals) Can Thrive Year-Round

        “A personal take on the rhythm of island life and why the quiet months hold the key to growth and community.”
        – Teresa Wagonseller

        There’s a rhythm to life on Galveston Island. If you live here long enough, you can feel it.

        It starts with a trickle in early spring—families on spring break, beach chairs unfolding, lines at restaurants are a little longer. Then comes the hum of summer: ferry horns, flip flops, festival crowds, and the occasional chorus of “I didn’t know Texas had beaches!” shouted by wide-eyed tourists.

        But just as quickly as the island surges, it exhales. The pace slows. The air shifts. Locals get their parking spots back. Favorite restaurants have open tables again. The sea still sparkles—but it sparkles for us.

        This is Galveston’s off-season. And honestly? It’s my favorite time of year.

        The Island’s Best-Kept Secret

        Don’t get me wrong—I love the buzz of summer. But ask anyone who’s lived here more than a few seasons and they’ll tell you: the real magic happens when the crowds go home. This is when Galveston breathes. When the locals reclaim the seawall. When neighborhood friends start filling the restaurant patios again. When the pace becomes, well… island time.

        There’s a stillness that invites reflection. And for those of us who’ve built lives and businesses here, that quiet space can be more than peaceful—it can be powerful.

        Whether you own a shop, run a gallery, or just love Galveston fiercely, this season gives us something special: a chance to reset, refocus, and reconnect—with each other and with the heartbeat of the island.

        A Different Kind of Island Expertise

        When people hear “CFO,” they think spreadsheets and boardrooms. But the same person who crunches numbers is also the one sipping coffee at MOD, dancing at Island Oktoberfest, or chatting with friends on Postoffice Street. As a fractional CFO—a part-time financial strategist who helps businesses manage growth, cash flow, and planning without the cost of a full-time hire—I’ve found that living here isn’t just about knowing your numbers. It’s about knowing your people.

        And that’s the real secret to thriving in Galveston. This isn’t a city where success is handed out in corporate boardrooms. It’s passed along in porch conversations, forged over drinks at happy hour, and strengthened through late-night texts that say, “Hey, do you know someone who can help with this…”

        If you’ve lived through a few off-seasons, you already know: your greatest asset isn’t your balance sheet—it’s your community.

        What the Off-Season Teaches Us

        Here’s what I’ve learned after years of living and working here:

        • The off-season teaches patience.
        • It teaches creativity.
        • It teaches resilience.
        • And yes—it teaches planning.

        Because while summer makes things busy, winter makes things clear.

        This is when I see the smartest business owners regroup. They use the slower pace to experiment with new menu items, paint the walls, dream up new tours, launch side hustles, or finally dig into those “one day” ideas that kept getting pushed aside when the crowds were rolling in.

        And here’s the thing: it’s not just for business owners. It’s a season for all of us to reflect and reset. Want to learn guitar? Start writing that screenplay? Host backyard dinners with friends? There’s no better time. This island practically whispers, “Go ahead… you’ve got a minute.”

        Going with the Flow of the Island

        A lot of folks who move here from the mainland come in hot—fast growth, big plans, nonstop motion. I get it. The island feels like a blank canvas. But Galveston isn’t a place you conquer. It’s a place you learn to dance with.

        Understanding the rhythms—when to push, when to pause, when to plant seeds—is part of what makes life here so rich. And for businesses especially, learning that rhythm is everything.

        A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

        Now—just because I’m a numbers person, I’ll throw in this one soft tip: set aside just a bit during the high season. Not just money (though yes, money helps), but time. Energy. Ideas. When it’s busy, jot them down. When it’s quiet, pull them out.

        Some of the best ideas I’ve seen come from Galveston locals using the off-season as a kind of creative incubation period. That’s not just good business. That’s a smart way to live.

        More Porchlight Than Spotlight

        My job—officially—is to help people with things like financial forecasting and planning. But around here, the work is a little more porchlight than spotlight. It’s listening. Connecting dots. Helping someone breathe a little easier because their books make sense and their future looks more manageable.

        If I can offer one thing as a local who’s also a finance nerd, it’s this: you don’t have to do this alone. There are smart, kind, generous people all over this island who know what you’re going through—because they’ve been through it too.

        That’s the magic of Galveston. It’s not just a place. It’s a community of people who support each other.

        A Love Letter to the Quiet Season

        So here’s to the quiet season.

        To the waitstaff finally getting two days off in a row.
        To the business owners trying something new without a line out the door.
        To the longtime locals who smile just a little wider in October because the island is, for a few months, theirs again.

        Here’s to the porch swings and foggy-morning beach walks.
        To the slower dinners, the deeper conversations, and the wild idea that maybe—just maybe—this lull isn’t a lull at all.

        It’s a gift.

        Teresa Wagonseller
        CPA, fractional CFO, and proud member of The 39ers

        Teresa Wagonseller

        Teresa Wagonseller

        CPA, fractional CFO, and proud member of The 39ers

        Teresa Wagonseller is a fractional CFO, strategic advisor, and proud 39er helping Galveston businesses turn chaos into clarity. With decades of experience in finance, she brings both big-picture thinking and day-to-day practicality to every client—making cash flow simple, growth achievable, and success feel personal. When she’s not helping business owners build money-making machines, she’s winding down with a Tito’s in hand while her cat shows off on the deck. Learn more at HigherUp CFO.

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        The post The Rhythm of the Island: How Galveston Businesses (and Locals) Can Thrive Year-Round appeared first on The 1839.

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