Moody Gardens

Sanctuary Saturdays at Moody Gardens

March 6, 2025 / / 1 Comment

Featuring staff from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Sanctuary Saturdays featuring staff from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
A retractable banner displays flora and fauna from the Flower Garden Banks and a FGBNMS staff member chats with a group of people at a booth display instead the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. Photos by Jennifer Lamm.

Once a month, Moody Gardens hosts Sanctuary Saturdays, an event that brings experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the public. Staff from the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary share insights on their work within the reef, as well as efforts in conservation and environmentalism.

This Saturday, March 8, the public is welcome to join us at the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid. Personnel from the FGBNMS will be discussing the corals that live off the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana as well as leading a hands-on activity. The program will be located on the lower level of the aquarium in front of the Coral Rescue Lab, where corals from the FGBNMS are housed.

Moody Gardens and NOAA staff on the surface waters above the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Galveston.
Staff from Moody Gardens and NOAA on the surface above the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
Breathing gear for underwater operations. Photo by Kerry Toorcana
Breathing gear display for underwater operations as part of a dive presentation at Moody Gardens. Photo by Kerry M. Toorcana

The program was first started in October of 2024, which has highlighted topics such as sanctuary corals, invasive lionfish, dive gear, mooring buoys, and have even celebrated the sanctuary’s 33rd birthday. Interactive activities have given visitors the opportunity to learn more about the sanctuary in a way that enhances their overall visit.

You can follow the activities at the Flower Garden Banks via social media on Facebook @FGBNMS or Instagram @flowergardnbanksnms.

Moody Gardens welcomes Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley

February 28, 2025 /

Moody Gardens is thrilled to welcome Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley, whose passion for crafting delectable and imaginative desserts shines through in every creation.

Born in Malaysia and raised in the vibrant culinary hub of New Orleans, Kristy brings over 18 years of experience in the food industry. She honed her expertise at the Louisiana Culinary Institute, earning a degree in Fine Art Baking & Pastry, alongside a Bachelor’s in Business Management.

Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley
Moody Gardens Executive Pastry Chef Kristy Riley (2025). Photo by Olivia Phu.

In 2023, Kristy fulfilled a dream by opening Pignoli Bakery in Pearland, Texas, where her artistry and love for pastry took center stage. Now, she brings that same dedication to Moody Gardens, where guests can enjoy her exquisite pastry masterpieces at Shearn’s Seafood & Prime Steaks or during the many holiday dining events hosted throughout the year. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys traveling and cherishing time with her husband and daughter. We are excited to see—and taste—the creativity she brings to Moody Gardens!

Photos by Oliva Phu

Preserving Paradise: A Journey to Pacuare Reserve

February 26, 2025 /

Join Us for a Special Presentation featuring
Guest Speaker, Lola Crassard!

Preserving Paradise: A Journey to Pacuare Reserve with a picture of an Agami Heron perched on a dry, mossy and decomposing broken trunk of a tree with dense vegetation in the background.
An Agami Heron perched on a branch at the Pacuare Reserve.

Mark your calendars for a free special event at the MG 3D Theater! Join us on Friday, March 14, at 7:00 PM or Saturday, March 15, at 9:30 AM for a guest speaker presentation by Lola Crassard, Wildlife Monitoring Technician biologist at the Pacuare Reserve. Guests may attend one or both sessions, but advance registration is required due to limited seating—early reservations are highly recommended.

Register Here

Moody Gardens & Pacuare Reserve Partnership

In 2025, Moody Gardens committed to a three-year partnership with Ecology Project International (EPI), which manages the Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica. As part of our commitment, we are providing funding through the Moody Gardens Conservation Fund to aid in studies on the populations of the Agami heron and sea turtles.  This funding will support the construction of a bird blind and a sea turtle hatchery. 

About Pacuare Reserve

The Pacuare Reserve in Costa Rica

The Pacuare Reserve is the only known Agami Heron nesting site along the Costa Rican Caribbean, between Southern Mexico and Northern Colombia. The reserve also provides critical nesting sites for leatherback, green and hawksbill sea turtles. Research conducted here plays a crucial role in shaping conservation strategies and informing decisions by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

About Lola Crassard

Lola Crassard at Pacuare Reserve

Lola Crassard is a dedicated wildlife biologist specializing in ecological research, wildlife monitoring, and environmental education. At the Pacuare Reserve, she studies felines, large mammals, and primates through camera trap monitoring and transect sampling, while also researching Agami Heron nesting populations.

Her previous experience includes behavioral research and enrichment program development for captive animals at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, as well as biodiversity research in Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve. She holds a Biology and Ecology degree from Université de Montpellier and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation from an expert in the field. Whether you’re passionate about birds, biodiversity, or conservation efforts, this presentation promises to be both informative and inspiring!

Moody Gardens Appoints Steve Kalbaugh as New Hotel General Manager

February 20, 2025 /
Steve Kalbaugh, Moody Gardens Hotel General Manager

Moody Gardens is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Kalbaugh as the new Hotel General Manager. With more than 35 years of management experience, including 22 years dedicated to hospitality leadership, Kalbaugh brings a wealth of expertise to this pivotal role. His extensive background and proven track record will further elevate the exceptional guest experience at the Moody Gardens Hotel.

Kalbaugh most recently served as the Regional Director of Operations at Image Hotel Management in the Nashville, TN area, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio of eight Marriott, Hilton, and IHG select and limited-service properties across Tennessee and Ohio. Prior to this, he spent 18 years as a Hotel General Manager, working with top-tier hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, and Choice Hotels. His leadership experience also includes a notable tenure as General Manager for Landry’s, Inc. at the San Luis Resort Complex in Galveston from 2009 to 2014.

Throughout his career, Kalbaugh has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in hospitality and service. During his time in Galveston, he was also actively involved in the community.

“I am thrilled to have Steve return to Galveston and join the exceptional team at Moody Gardens,” said John Zendt, Moody Gardens President and CEO, who added that Kalbaugh plans to reside on the Island. “I look forward to seeing how his knowledge and experience will further advance the tradition of outstanding service and enhancing the guest experience at the hotel, while also contributing to the continued success of Moody Gardens as a premier destination.”

Join us in welcoming Steve Kalbaugh to the Moody Gardens family—we wish him all the best in his new role!

Moody Gardens Super Bowl LIX Prediction

February 3, 2025 /

Who will win between Chiefs vs. Eagles?

Animals predicting the Super Bowl champ has become a tradition over the last 15 years at Moody Gardens. This year, two Giant African Millipedes weighed in with their prediction… but will they be correct?

Who will win between the Chiefs and Eagles? Watch the video to find out!

In a specially built stadium, the Giant African Millipedes took part in a race down the 100-yard field (more like inches) to claim ultimate glory. The entire event was commentated by Moody Gardens announcer “Skip Thompson,” better known as Guest Services Manager, Tim Raeke. And spoiler alert, a famous popstar and popular cartoon character make surprise cameos.

Some facts about Giant African Millipedes:

  • Usually, dark brown or black in color
  • Range from 4 to 12 inches in length
  • Have about 300 to 400 legs
  • Have weak jaws made for munching on decaying plant matter
  • Cannot bite humans
  • If attacked by a predator, they can coil into a tight ball or secrete a foul-smelling, bitter fluid

Some previous animal predictions for the Super Bowl were made by Giant Pacific Octopus, Komodo Dragon, Cownose Stingrays, Red-footed Tortoise, Saki Monkeys, and a Harbor Seal.

A dark, segmented, multi-legged Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) is curled up against a rock in a display enclosure.
A dark, segmented, multi-legged Giant African Millipede (Archispirostreptus gigas) is curled up against a rock in a display enclosure.

If you’re interested in these multi-legged arthropods, step into the heart of the Rainforest Pyramid and encounter a fascinating world of other multi-legged marvels! From Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and Walking Sticks to Tarantulas and Scorpions. Wander through lush, tropical trails surrounded by over 1,700 exotic plants and animals as you explore the vibrant ecosystems of Asia, the Americas, and Africa—all within a breathtaking, fully enclosed glass sanctuary.

Join Us at NestFest 2025

January 24, 2025 /

Help cleanup the beach for nesting birds and turtles!

NestFest 2025 is being held on March 11 from 9am to 12pm on Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston Island and Follet’s Island.

Protecting Texas’ coastlines has never been more important, and NestFest 2025 is your chance to take action for nesting shorebirds and sea turtles! Join us on Saturday, March 11th, from 9 AM to 12 PM, for a coastal cleanup event spanning 12 locations across Galveston Island, Follet’s Island, and Bolivar Peninsula. This free, family-friendly event invites volunteers of all ages to help clear harmful marine debris from critical nesting habitats, ensuring a safer environment for nesting birds, sea turtles, and their young.

A lone fisherman stands out in the calm waters during the early dawn hours at the San Luis Pass near the Blue Water Highway off of Follet's Island.
A lone fisherman stands out in the calm waters during the early dawn hours at the San Luis Pass near the Blue Water Highway off of Follet’s Island. Photo by Kerry M. Toorcana

NestFest is a conservation project organized by SPLASh (Stopping Plastics and Littler Along Shorelines) with a mission to create a cleaner environment for people, birds, and other wildlife in the greater Houston-Galveston region through community science, education, and outreach.

Spring is a vital time for Texas beaches, as thousands of shorebirds and sea turtles migrate to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, these coasts also accumulate trash ten times faster than any other Gulf state, creating hazardous obstacles for wildlife. NestFest helps combat this issue by cleaning shorelines ahead of the nesting season, giving species like the Wilson’s Plover, Snowy Plover, Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles, and more a greater chance of survival.

Volunteers will not only contribute to an essential conservation effort but will also enjoy exclusive perks. Participants will receive NestFest giveaways, including stickers and t-shirts (while supplies last), and a BOGO coupon valid for a Moody Gardens day pass or individual ticket, redeemable from March 11 through March 31, 2025.

NestFest is hosted by Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, American Bird Conservancy, Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, Galveston Bay Area Chapter – Texas Master Naturalists, and SPLASh, with Moody Gardens as a proud sponsor of this impactful event.

A mottled-brown willet squawks out a warning to passerbys at the Galveston Island State Park.
A Willet squawks out a warning to passerbys at the Galveston Island State Park. Photo by Kerry M. Toorcana

Texas’ coastlines are home to some of the world’s most endangered wildlife, like the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle. Events like NestFest play a vital role in protecting these habitats and raising awareness about conservation.

Since its inception in 2023, NestFest has continued to grow in reach and impact. This year’s cleanup sites promise to create safer environments for species that depend on the Texas coastline to thrive.

To learn more about NestFest, register to volunteer, or find a cleanup location near you, visit splashtx.org/nestfest. Together, we can make a difference for Texas wildlife.

A flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks float together in a long row across the murky waters of Shoveler Pond surrounded by lilies and moss.
A flock of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks float together in a long row across the murky waters of Shoveler Pond surrounded by lilies and moss. Photo by Kerry M. Toorcana

Counting for Conservation: Rare Birds and Big Discoveries at the Audubon Christmas Bird Count

January 2, 2025 /

Written by Clayton Leopold. Edited by Kerry M. Toorcana

The second, official sighting of a juvenile Yellow-headed Caracara on the beach of Galveston. Speckled yellow across a dark brown coat along with a signature beak indicative from birds of prey.
The second, official sighting of a Yellow-headed Caracara on the beach of Galveston. Photo by Greg Whittaker, General Curator at Moody Gardens.

On December 17th, Greg Whittaker, General Curator and Clayton Leopold, Field Biologist at Moody Gardens, participated in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, a nationwide event that celebrates 125 years of citizens science data. This is the longest running citizen science event in the Nation! The count is bound withing a 15 mile diameter circle that is then broken into sections to organize coverage. Volunteers count birds for a 24 hour period, and not only enumerates species, but also counts each individual.

During the count, several bird species were documented, some of which were rare species for the count. We had unique birds like Orchard Oriole, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Tropical Parula, and Eastern Screech Owl.

The real star of the count was a Juvenile Yellow-headed Caracara! Only in recent years has this species been spotted in the United States, and second time in Texas! Greg located the bird on Galveston beach and was able to obtain identifiable photos which aids in detailed documentation. 

An ash-throated Flycatcher sits on a withered brown brand in a forest setting with rays of sunlight peeking through the forage.
Ash-throated flycatcher. Photo by Clayton Leopold, Field Biologist at Moody Gardens

Christmas bird counts were born out of an effort to turn a yearly hunting extravaganza into a conservation initiative. Today, Moody Gardens participates in Christmas bird counts to support these efforts. Data from these counts can help track population changes over time and can lead to a better understanding of how threats are affecting species.

To learn more about the Audubon Christmas Bird Count and even participate, you can read more here.

Diablo: Galveston’s Komodo King by Waves Magazine

November 27, 2024 /
Diablo, the Komodo Dragon inside his exhibit at the Moody Gardens Rainforest Pyramid (photo by: Kerry Toorcana)

In the November edition of Waves Magazine which serves as the ultimate guide to Galveston for visitors and residents alike, you can read about Diablo, our 14-year old Komodo Dragon who can seen on most days inside the Rainforest Pyramid or on occasion at the Visitor’s Center.

Diablo, the Komodo Dragon inside the otter exhibit at the Moody Gardens Visitor Center during a rainy day outing. (Photo by: Olivia Phu)

Moody Gardens is home to many remarkable creatures, but Diablo, the 14-year-old Komodo dragon, truly stands out as a crowd favorite. From his impressive size—eight feet long and 175 pounds—to his intelligence and engaging behavior, Diablo captivates visitors with every encounter. Hatched in 2010 at the Los Angeles Zoo, he arrived at Moody Gardens as a tiny hatchling and has since grown into a living relic of prehistoric times, thanks to exceptional care and training. For those who know him best, Diablo is much more than just a fascinating animal; he’s a reminder of nature’s incredible history and diversity.

As the Animal Welfare Manager, Marci has spent countless hours socializing and conditioning Diablo, drawing on her two decades of expertise in reptile and animal care. While Diablo exhibits incredible traits, Marci and her team remain vigilant, adhering to strict safety protocols to ensure everyone’s well-being when working with this powerful wild animal. Even the most docile dragons must be handled with care, as Diablo’s sharp teeth and unpredictable moods remind staff of his untamed nature.

Read more about Diablo, and his caretaker Marci as well as the challenges and hopes that he faces for the future as an aging reptile.

The original article was written by Dr. Richard D. Henderson, DVM of the Galveston Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Henderson serves as the veterinary medical provider for the Moody Gardens Rainforest and Aquarium Pyramids, and is responsible for examining and treating animals in the collection including over 300 species of fish, seals, penguins, reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals and primates.

(Photo by: Olivia Phu)

Moody Gardens SAVY donates $2,000 to conservation efforts!

September 17, 2024 /

Donation Supports the Association of Zoos & Aquariums SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction

Members of the Moody Gardens Education Department and the SAVY (Society for the Advancement of Volunteer Youth) present a donation check for $2,000 towards the AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program.
Members of the Moody Gardens Education Department and the SAVY (Society for the Advancement of Volunteer Youth) present a donation check for $2,000 towards the AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program.

The Society for the Advancement of Volunteer Youth (SAVY) is proud to announce its donation of $2,000 to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction program. This program is dedicated to protecting threatened animals and implementing crucial conservation strategies.

Members of SAVY use an educational, interactive cart while speaking to visitors inside the Rainforest Pyramid.
Members of SAVY use an educational, interactive cart while speaking to visitors inside the Rainforest Pyramid.

Funds for the donation were raised by SAVY teams through public engagement about the animals in the pyramid attractions. Volunteers staffed interactive educational booths, speaking with visitors before they entered the attractions. The majority of the SAFE donation came from these visitor contributions. As a Moody Gardens youth volunteer group, SAVY directly supports Moody Gardens’ mission to utilize nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.

SAFE works to safeguard species at risk of extinction by creating recovery plans, connecting AZA facilities, and measuring conservation efforts. SAVY’s interactive educational display at Moody Gardens has played a key role in this initiative, teaching guests about the SAFE program and highlighting the specific animals that Moody Gardens supports through SAFE.

SAVY, offers a unique opportunity for individuals aged 13 to 17 to engage in community service while gaining hands-on experience in various career fields, including biology and education.

Through their involvement, SAVY members contribute to Moody Gardens’ educational and conservation efforts, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to its mission. SAVY members have played a crucial role in supporting the SAFE program, demonstrating their commitment to conservation and community involvement.

Applications for the Summer SAVY program will open in December of 2024, offering new volunteers the opportunity to contribute to important projects and gain valuable skills.

Gulf Restoration Live Chat at the MG3D Theater on August 1

July 30, 2024 /

Learn about the work being done in the Gulf to repair the damage done by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Gulf Restoration Live at the Moody Gardens Theater on Thursday, August 1 from 6pm to 7pm. Learn about the restoration of habitats in the Gulf of Mexico after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Did you know that Moody Gardens divers help support the restoration of deep-sea corals in the Gulf of Mexico that were injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill? Join divers and staff from NOAA, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, and other related organizations to learn all about these efforts and connect live on the big screen to an exciting expedition at sea happening right now!

This free event will take place in the Moody Gardens 3D Theater from 6pm to 7pm. Register for the event here.

Divers from Moody Gardens make their way down to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary coral reefs.
Brilliant and varied colored coral reefs sitting on the ocean floor at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
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