The goal of the Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) is to support regional efforts to preserve wetlands and coastal habitats that protect the long-term health and productivity of Galveston Bay. From 2011 to 2017, the CAP was a partnership between the Estuary Program, Galveston Bay Foundation, Shead Conservation Solutions, and members of the Natural Resources Uses Subcommittee. The CAP provides financial assistance to:
- coordinate and build consensus with conservation partners to identify conservation projects;
- develop funding strategies, work with landowners to negotiate conservation transactions;
- carry out due diligence; and
- finalize the purchase and transfer of title to the appropriate land conservation entity
From 2011 to 2017, nine projects closed under this partnership, including the Lone Pine Farm and Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Prairie, permanently protecting 5,137 acres and leveraging $9,000,000. Approximately 10,000 acres of habitat have ongoing efforts, including Gordy Marsh Phase II Conservation and the Anchor Bay acquisition of the Coastal Heritage Preserve.