MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR TEXAS WATERBIRDS

The Knobloch Family Foundation’s philanthropic support of the Colony Island Network Design and Implementation (CINDI) project enabled the launch of a pilot program to give researchers a tool for guiding the restoration and management of waterbird colony island habitats in the Upper Laguna Madre.

One of the key tenets of the Knobloch Family Foundation is investing in places that identify and protect wildlife through science-based conservation. Their investment in the CINDI project was critical in establishing the groundwork for a comprehensive network designed to support research and conservation efforts of habitat for Texas’ water birds. The pilot project provided new data for stakeholders and helped create a preliminary list of some of the islands that will provide the most benefits to birds if restored.

HRI's Coastal and Biodiversity lab led by Chair Dr. Dale Gawlik, the Cesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, and the Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, are beginning to expand the project beyond the Upper Laguna Madre to other parts of the Texas coast. The initial foundational support enabled deployment of cutting-edge technology, including using drones to survey waterbirds and their nesting habitats. Plus, the funding established a robust network that can be expanded and refined to support ongoing research and conservation efforts.

Learn more at BirdIslands.org