HOUSTON – Oct. 24, 2023 – The Coastal Prairie Conservancy announced Tuesday a $100,000 grant from the Baker Hughes Foundation to support the preservation of coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife in Texas. The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is focused on ensuring a vibrant and resilient community, and connecting the public with nature through public access, educational programming, and outreach.
The grant was announced at the grand opening of Baker Hughes’ new headquarters in Houston’s Energy Corridor, with Coastal Prairie Conservancy representatives in attendance for a check presentation.
This grant, in addition to $150,000 of previous support from Baker Hughes Foundation, will support priority habitat restoration in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Much of this investment has been on the Indiangrass Preserve, part of the greater Katy Prairie Preserve that is home to more than 300 resident and migratory birds; 110 species of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles; 700 species of wildflowers and grasses, and thousands of terrestrial insects and aquatic invertebrates. This third-year grant will continue efforts to support restoration and enhancement of this 2,800-acre preserve that is open for the public to enjoy.
“Thriving natural ecosystems are essential for maintaining rich biodiversity, and we are committed to conserve and protect our natural resources,” said Allyson Book, chief sustainability officer at Baker Hughes. “Coastal Prairie Conservancy preserves and safeguards the ecosystems in the Greater Houston area, and we are proud to partner with them.”
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is one of the largest local land conservation organizations in southeast Texas, preserving nearly 31,000 acres of coastal prairie, which includes conserved lands near Baker Hughes’ new headquarters that stretch from Katy to the Gulf Coast. Formerly known as the Katy Prairie Conservancy, the Coastal Prairie Conservancy signifies the broader, regional reach of the organization.
“We are so grateful for this generous donation and meaningful partnership with the Baker Hughes Foundation. Not only will this funding allow the Coastal Prairie Conservancy to safeguard plants and animals and provide healthy grasslands and wetlands as homes, it also benefits people,” said Coastal Prairie Conservancy president and CEO Mary Anne Piacentini. “Coastal prairie conservation and enhancement provide the public with access to nature, enhanced health and wellness, regional flood control, increased carbon capture, improved water quality, and climate resilience. We are proud to partner with the Baker Hughes Foundation to ensure healthy lands, healthy wildlife, and healthy communities.”
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s Indiangrass Preserve is a permanently protected, fully restored coastal prairie natural area with three walking trails and is the hub of the organization’s activities. The preserve is open to the public three days a week for individuals and families to enjoy. For more information, visit coastalprairieconservancy.org.
Photo caption: The majestic sandhill crane can be found wintering on the Katy Prairie Preserve, an example of migrating wildlife that benefit from the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s restoration and enhancement projects. Photo by T. Kibodeaux.
About the Coastal Prairie Conservancy
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to sustaining resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairie, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever. Preserved lands play an important role in flood control, cleaner air and water, outdoor recreation, and wildlife habitat. To learn more about the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s conservation efforts, visit www.coastalprairieconservancy.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram @coastalprairieconservancy.
About the Baker Hughes Foundation:
For 25 years, the Baker Hughes Foundation has been a steward of charitable resources for meaningful community impact. The Foundation seeks to advance environmental quality, education, health, safety, and wellness around the world by supporting organizations with shared values, demonstrated leadership, evidence of impact, financial soundness, and the capacity to implement initiatives and evaluate their success. The Baker Hughes Foundation makes strategic philanthropic contributions, matches Baker Hughes employee contributions, and awards volunteer recognition grants for outstanding employee community service.
About Baker Hughes
Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.