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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Audubon Texas is celebrating the 100th anniversary |
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of its coastal island management program in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Previously known as the Audubon Society of Texas, |
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the organization began its coastal initiative in order to save the |
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reddish egret from extinction; hunters seeking plumes for women's |
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hats had reduced the size of the population to a dangerous level, |
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but a colony survived at Green Island in the Lower Laguna Madre of |
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South Texas; in 1923, the National Audubon Society leased the |
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island from the State of Texas for $1 a year to protect the birds; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Audubon Texas built on the achievements of this |
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project, working with numerous stakeholders, including the General |
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Land Office, game wardens, port authorities, local leaders, and |
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other partners; the organization secured lease agreements in order |
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to protect and manage critical habitat along the Texas coast, and |
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today, it maintains leases for 177 islands; in addition, it manages |
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four nature centers in Dallas, Cedar Hill, San Antonio, and |
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Brownsville, and it champions a healthy environment that allows |
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birds and people to thrive; and |
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WHEREAS, The Lone Star State now counts 579 bird species, |
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more than any other state in the Union or Canada; through its |
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endeavors, Audubon Texas provides habitat for nesting, loafing, |
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wintering, and other avian activities, while also supporting |
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birding, wildlife watching, and ecotourism; these pursuits add |
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hundreds of millions of dollars to the Texas economy each year; |
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moreover, protected spaces provide many other benefits to the human |
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population of the state, such as slowing erosion and reducing storm |
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surges and the impact of severe weather; and |
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WHEREAS, For the past century, Audubon Texas has practiced |
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careful stewardship of coasts, grasslands, urban territory, and |
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bird populations, and its exceptional contributions have earned the |
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admiration and appreciation of people across the state and beyond; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Audubon Texas on the 100th |
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anniversary of its coastal island management program and extend to |
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all those associated with the organization sincere best wishes for |
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continued success in their important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |