As part of the deepwater horizon restoration effort, the texas trustee implementation group (txtig) selected dressing point island for restoration

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior (DOI), awarded Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Inc. a $150,000 cooperative agreement under the Coastal Program (CFDA 15.630) to conduct post-restoration monitoring and adaptive management of Dressing Point Island in Texas. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, supports a five-year data collection initiative following the completion of restoration activities at the site in fall 2025. This restoration project was selected by the Texas Trustee Implementation Group (TXTIG) as part of the Deepwater Horizon restoration effort.

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will serve as the primary implementer, responsible for collecting monitoring data pursuant to the Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan developed by TXTIG. The organization will coordinate with the Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program and Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge staff throughout project execution. The Fish and Wildlife Service will provide technical guidance and support, participate in field surveys and data collection, conduct data analyses, and communicate project performance results to TXTIG. This cooperative arrangement leverages the service provider's specialized expertise in avian research and coastal conservation while ensuring federal oversight and integration with broader Deepwater Horizon restoration objectives.

Restoration is expected to be completed in fall of 2025. Gulf coast bird observatory (gcbo) will be responsible for collecting data under the monitoring and adaptive management plan developed by the txtig after restoration is complete for 5 years. Gcbo will coordinate with FWS coastal program and big boggy NWR staff as the monitoring project moves forward. FWS staff will provide guidance and support during the monitoring phase and assist with field surveys, data collection and data analyses, and communicate with the txtig on the performance of the project.