Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program
Our mission is to better understand the bottlenose dolphins that live in the highly industrialized Galveston Bay estuary. We study the ecology, behavior, and health of this population and raise public awareness about dolphins.
Working together for dolphin research and conservation on the Texas Gulf Coast.
The GDRP was established in 2014 through a partnership by the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Over time, the program has grown into a larger collaborative initiative led by the Galveston Bay Foundation.
Preserves and enhances Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come
Advances understanding of the environment through interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach
Community Reported Dolphin Sightings
Add your dolphin sighting to our interactive community sightings map
Subscribe to The Bow Rider
Get updates sent straight to your inbox by subscribing to our quarterly newsletter, The Bow Rider.
Meet the Dolphins
Learn more about the dolphins living in Galveston Bay
What can I do to help dolphins?
Don’t feed wild dolphins
Stay at least 50 yards away from dolphins
Recycle used fishing line
Volunteer with us!
Interested in volunteering? When citizen science recruitment and training opportunities become available, they are shared here.
Quarterly Newsletters
Find out what our research crew has been up to.
July 2026
The start of summer meant lots of outreach, hosting volunteer workshops, and training new personnel!
April 2026
This jam-packed first quarter of 2026 demonstrates what can be accomplished for Galveston Bay’s dolphins when we work together!
January 2026
We reflect on 2025 accomplishments and milestones and say goodbye to an important member of our GDRP team.
