Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Announce New Environmental Education, Recreational Opportunities for Local Residents
Thanks to Conservation Easement Donated by GDF SUEZ
VICTORIA, Texas, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This morning the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), and GDF SUEZ Energy North America joined with county officials, the Boy Scouts, and other community organizations to invite local residents, school groups, photography clubs, and other outdoor enthusiasts to visit a large conservation easement donated by GDF SUEZ's Coleto Creek Power Plant.
The 238-acre site—valued at $1 million—features hiking trails, basic camping facilities, an active Bald Eagle's nest, and many outdoor and wildlife photography opportunities. Accessible year-round, the easement was originally part of Coleto Creek Power's 8,000-acre property that includes a 3,100-acre lake and public park facilities that attract more than 300,000 visitors annually.
GDF SUEZ donated the easement to the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust to ensure the natural area would be available for generations of visitors to enjoy for years to come. The GBRA, which has been managing the Coleto Creek Reservoir and the surrounding property since Coleto Creek Power was built, will continue to work with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust to manage the easement property.
Local Boy Scout groups have already conducted a variety of skills development and service projects within the easement, including overnight camping, installation of Wood Duck nesting boxes to protect mother ducks and their young, and clean-up of the entire shoreline of the property. The River Authority and River Trust look forward to continuing to welcome the local Scout groups, as well as school and other youth organizations to use the easement to promote outdoor skill development and environmental stewardship well into the future.
Meanwhile, members of the Victoria Photo Club have also availed themselves to the site to develop outdoor photography skills. They have generously shared a number of quality photographs of wildlife on the property with the River Authority, which also looks forward to welcoming members and other nature enthusiasts back season after season.
"This unique partnership has been working to protect this waterfront property and the recent commitment from GDF SUEZ to conserve the land along Coleto Creek Reservoir ensures that the diverse wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities that exist on the property will be permanently protected," Jeff Crosby, Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust executive director, said.
"Using natural resources wisely is an important part of our mission at GDF SUEZ," said Robert Stevens, plant manager at Coleto Creek Power. "We're pleased to provide this land to help promote and protect many enjoyable, enriching activities for our neighbors and visitors alike—in perpetuity."
"The relationship we have enjoyed over the years with GDF SUEZ is a great example of how public and private entities working cooperatively can benefit their local communities," Bill West, GBRA general manager, said. "We are excited to be a part of this ongoing venture to offer the greater Victoria and Goliad areas a place to experience and appreciate nature."
About the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust
Founded in 2001, the GBR Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust organization that was developed to conserve land in the Guadalupe River Watershed for its natural, recreational, scenic, historic and productive value. Its mission is to preserve the unique natural heritage of the Guadalupe watershed for future generations, by protecting open landscapes, working farms and ranches, and wildlife habitat through conservation easements, education, and outreach that connects people to the water and the land.
About the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933 as a water conservation and reclamation district. GBRA provides stewardship for the water resources in its 10-county statutory district, which begins near the headwaters of the Guadalupe and Blanco rivers, ends at San Antonio Bay, and includes Kendall, Comal, Hays, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Gonzales, DeWitt, Victoria, Calhoun, and Refugio counties.
About Coleto Creek Power and GDF SUEZ Energy North America
Operating in Goliad County since 1980, Coleto Creek Power provides electricity to about 400,000 homes, employs 85 operators and staff, and is a part of GDF SUEZ Energy North America, which manages a range of energy businesses in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution and sales, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers. GDF SUEZ Energy North America is a part of the international energy group GDF SUEZ. For more information, please visit www.gdfsuezna.com and Twitter @gdfsuezna.
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SOURCE GDF SUEZ Energy North America
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