The mission of GBEPA is to:

• Survey wildlife and habitat quality in the bay system
• Increase public awareness of the bay's natural resources
• Record and monitor the effects of human impact on the bay's fragile eco-system

Michael Hunt
Chair Person and Co-Founder

What do you get when you combine a career’s worth of research experience and 20 years of kayaking?  Paddling with a purpose!  As a UHCL psychology professor, Michael has been studying the behavior of dolphins in the wild to develop general theories of behavior and teaching curricula.  A seasoned paddler, Michael is a certified instructor through the American Canoe Association, has previously served on the Seabrook Wetlands Advisory Board, and currently serves on the boards of the Endangered Species Media Project and the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Mike is also a talented Artist and Ornithologist.

Vic Madamba
Training/Safety Chair

After retiring from the military, Vic served as Chief of Outdoor Recreations for the Army, where he took up kayaking.    Vic later transferred to the      Navy as Community Recreation Director, while continuing his kayaking. Vic has log several thousand miles of paddling and along the way, Vic became certified as an American Canoe Association (ACA) instructor and is presently working
toward his British Canoe Union (BCU) coaching certification. Served on the City of Seabrook Wetlands Committee and presently on the Eco-Tourisim Committee and is a Galveston Bay Master Naturalist.

R. Allen White
Treasurer

With years of paddling experience, running marathons and former educator in Biostatistics & Applied Math at UT M.D. Anderson, Allen is a staunch supporter of Eco-Paddling activities to protect Galveston Bay's natural resources. Allen is presently in training as an ACA instructor and is a BCU certified paddler. Professor Allen's interests besides paddling includes computer DNA analysis, cell kinetics,  mathematical modeling and is still active in teaching.   

Dori Nelson
Publicity/Advertising Chair and Art Advisor

A talented former art teacher energized by environmental concerns, Dori has locally shaped the field of nature tourism.  Dori lends her expertise to help Seabrook and surrounding communities establish unique eco-tourism opportunities in order to protect Galveston Bay’s natural resources.  Drawing on her artistic ability, Dori targeted tomorrow’s leaders and created the Armand Bayou Nature Art Show to highlight environmentally themed artwork by young people. Dori’s current environmental efforts include publicizing GBEPA, chairing the Seabrook Eco-Tourism Committee, and serving on the Board of Directors of the Clear Creek Nature and Cultural Tourism Council.

Gary Bell
Vice Chair (Temp) and Advisor

Gary can’t seem to get enough of the water.  After a career on the water as a nuclear submarine commanding officer and as a professor of Naval Science at Rice University, he retired as a Captain in the US Navy. All along he's been sailing small and larger sailboats competitively. He now enjoys the view of Galveston Bay and its wildlife from his bayside home.  What’s next?  Environmental interests.  Gary currently serves on the Wetlands Committee for the City of Seabrook and is a Galveston Bay Master Naturalist.

Charles Rogers Instructor Charlie has paddled canoes and kayaks for several years as a hobby. He enjoys the outdoors and likes to share his experience with others. Charlie currently serves as city marshal for the city of La Marque and has 25 years of law enforcement in the Harris and Galveston county area. He is a certified ACA instructor and is First Aid and CPR certified.