Galveston Wharves Wins Sustainable Landscaping Grant from Clean Galveston

Proposed design for the Royal Caribbean terminal. Image courtesy of Port of Galveston.

The Galveston Wharves has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Clean Galveston to sustainably landscape the port’s new Royal Caribbean cruise terminal with native plantings. The grant will fund plantings in eight beds at the terminal, which is scheduled to open at Pier 10 in November.

Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO, said, “This project has many benefits. It’s good for the environment, it advances our Green Marine environmental program, it promotes sustainable landscaping, and will inform cruise terminal visitors about the beauty and benefits of native plants.”

Landscaping with native plants that are resistant to drought and pests also aligns with the cruise terminal’s sustainability objectives. Royal Caribbean International ("RCI") is seeking LEED ('Leadership in Energy and Environmental") certification by designing the 160,000-square-foot building to meet a global set of health, efficiency and sustainability standards. Built by RCI and owned by the port, the terminal would be one of a few LEED-certified projects in Galveston.

Sustainable landscaping is just one of the port’s Green Marine initiatives. From improving air quality to reducing waste, the Galveston Wharves is looking to make long-term changes to improve the environment. Galveston is one of two Texas ports participating in the voluntary environmental program for North America’s maritime industry

“We are truly honored to have Clean Galveston’s support for our environmental initiatives,” Rees said.

Clean Galveston is a local non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and beautification of Galveston Island through litter control, education and advocacy.