school of fish behind title Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
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Close up view of Christmas tree worms protruding from a coral head
Welcome to a very special place...

Picture yourself over 100 miles from land, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the seas can be very unforgiving, and the weather can turn foul in an instant. But here, in the midst of this unpredictable Gulf, lie three of the most beautiful and wild places in all the world. Manta rays, whale sharks, coral heads bigger than cars, hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates... This place teems with life!

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Celebrating 20 Years!

20th anniversary design that includes the sanctuary logoFlower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary was first designated on January 17, 1992.

In recognition of 20 years of science, education, and conservation we'll be planning special events throughout the year.

To start, we'd like to share with you 20 Things to Love about the sanctuary! Stay tuned for more...

Next, we'll be offering Seaside Chats. See below...

Seaside Chats

A building and fishing pier on stilts over the water at sunset.

Beginning in February, the sanctuary will host a series of Seaside Chats to help celebrate their 20th Anniversary.

These FREE presentations will take place at the newly renovated Galveston Fishing Pier. Light refreshments will be served following each talk to provide an opportunity to chat with the presenters and sanctuary staff.

Come learn about the Coral Reefs in your own Backyard!

Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
at the Galveston Fishing Pier (9001 Seawall Blvd)

February 8 Coral Reefs of Texas
February 15 Romance on the Reef
February 22 The New Krewe in Town
February 29 A Diver's Eye View
March 7 Manta Rays, Whale Sharks and Turtles, Oh My!

See our Calendar of Events for a more detailed description of each presentation.

For more information, call 409-621-5151, x105 or email flowergarden@noaa.gov.

 

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
4700 Avenue U, Building 216
Galveston, TX 77551
p) 409-621-5151
f) 409-621-1316
flowergarden@noaa.gov

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French angelfish in foreground; large boulder corals in background.  French angelfish is dinner plate size oval shaped, blue body with body scales bright yellow on their edges.
   
National Marine Sanctuary logo - a stylized whale tail above waves NOAA logo - a circle with a stylized seabird in flight; background is dark blue above the bird and light blue below the bird.