• 713-524-4CEC (4232)
  • info@cechouston.org

Environmental Resource Guide

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 6 Page 7
A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P R S T U V W
Photo of Blueprint Houston Blueprint Houston
(713) 522-0590

Purpose: To promote the evolution and implementation of Plan Houston as the basis for planning the City’s future. Blueprint Houston serves as a resource and catalyst for better long-term planning for Houston’s future growth and development.

Blueprint Houston was founded in 2003 to build community support for a coordinated planning process to make improvements to Houston’s quality of life.…

Photo of Mercer Botanic Gardens Mercer Botanic Gardens
(713) 274-4160

Purpose: Mercer Botanic Gardens (MBG) seeks to establish and maintain a versatile botanical facility for Houston and the greater Gulf Coast region, serving the general public, the horticulture industry, and the scientific community. MBG strives to improve  quality of life and inspire greater appreciation for the essential value and beauty of the plant world.…

Photo of Friends of Mandell Park Friends of Mandell Park
(713) 524-4285

Purpose: The Friends of Mandell Park, a nonprofit Texas Corporation, was formed in August 2004 to improve, protect and assist in the maintenance of the City of Houston’s Mandell Park.

Publications: Newsletter, Informational Brochure

Programs: Organic Gardening in Meredith Gardens, Outdoor Movies, Exhibition Prairie.…

Photo of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(409) 621-5151

Purpose: Identify, protect, conserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, values, and qualities of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and its regional environment for this and future generations. Programs: Down Under, Out Yonder (DUOY) Educator Workshop and Scuba Field Experience – annually in July.

Photo of Friends of Woodland Park Friends of Woodland Park
(713) 862-1520

Purpose: The Friends of Woodland Park, Inc. (FWP) is dedicated to preserving the park’s natural habitat along with its unique historical significance to the City of Houston, and to providing for the enjoyment and education of all who visit.

Publications: Subscribe to email newsletter.

Programs: Trails at Twilight Gala,

Bird watching monthly.…

Photo of Houston Audubon Society Houston Audubon Society
(713) 932-1639 Headquarters/Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

Purpose: To advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments. Founded in 1969.

Meetings: with speakers are held the second Thursday of alternate school months: Sept, Nov, Jan, March, & May at United Way Center at 50 Waugh Drive. See website for details. Houston Audubon Nature Photography Association (HANPA) meetings: Third Wednesdays of each month, Sept-May, 7 p.m., HAS headquarters.…

Photo of Katy Prairie Conservancy Katy Prairie Conservancy
Houston Office: (713) 523-6135

Purpose: To preserve the coastal prairie for people and wildlife. KPC now protects over 24,000 acres of coastal prairie in Texas. On the Katy Prairie in Harris, Ft. Bend, and Waller counties, KPC owns nearly 13,500 acres and protects nearly 5,000 acres through conservation agreements with private landowners. KPC is also working to protect coastal prairie in other Texas counties.…

Photo of Surfrider Foundation – Texas Chapter Surfrider Foundation – Texas Chapter

Purpose: To preserve and protect the Texas coast and its recreational resources. To defend the Texas Open Beaches Act. Our issues are water quality, beach access, erosion, and coastal development. Our goal is to stand on the beach 30 years from now and be able to say, “We made the right decisions.” We were founded in 1999.…

Photo of Houston Parks and Recreation Department Houston Parks and Recreation Department
(832) 395-7000

Purpose: To enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe, well-maintained parks and offering affordable programs for the community.

Major Events:

Jan – Arbor Day; Youth Tennis classes begin
Feb – Salt Grass Trail Ride; Adult sports leagues begin
Mar – Tour de Houston, Metal & Muscle Expo; Lake Houston Wilderness
Apr – Houston Children’s Festival, Japan ­Festival, Houston International Festival
May – Challenge Day, Summer Pool Opening
June – Summer Food Program begins, Golf Tourn; Hershey Track & Field Meet
Jul – Freedom Over Texas; Houston Pops July 4th Celebration
Oct – Asian-American Festival; Wildflower seed planting
Nov – Via Colori
Dec – Heritage Society Candlelight Tour, Holiday Tree Lighting
Year round – Lake Houston Park Nature Center events
School year – After School Enrichment Program

Volunteer Opportunities: Oneika McCarthy
(832) 395-7030 oneika.peters@houstontx.gov

Publications: Activities Catalog – Winter/Spring Issue Dec 1, Summer Issue
Apr 1, and Fall Issue Aug 1.…

Photo of Preservation Houston Preservation Houston
(713) 510-3990

Purpose: To promote the preservation and appreciation of Houston’s architectural and cultural historic resources through advocacy, education, and committed action; thereby creating economic value and developing a stronger sense of community. Regular Meetings: Walking tours, second Sunday of each month. Programs: Preservation advocacy, Historic Neighborhoods Council, Realtor programs, heritage education program, heritage tourism promotion, Museum of Houston digital archive and online museum.

Photo of Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston Bay Foundation
(281) 332-3381

Purpose: To preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. Galveston Bay Foundation’s balanced programs in advocacy, conservation, education, and research strive to ensure that Galveston Bay remains a beautiful and productive place for generations to come.

Photo of Wildlife Habitat Federation (WHF) Wildlife Habitat Federation (WHF)
979-877-4961

Wildlife Habitat Federation(WHF) works to create resilient prairie ecosystems in the mid upper coast of Texas. Our focal area includes the Greater Houston Area to Austin to San Antonio, but we have a footprint in 47 Texas counties. WHF is a 501 (c) 3 organization, and our mission is to provide on-the-ground restoration, management and generational sustainability of prairie habitat for the conservation of soil, water, air and wildlife.…

Photo of Houston Urban Gardeners Houston Urban Gardeners

Purpose: Houston Urban Gardeners’ mission is to create an informed active gardening community of people growing their own vegetables, fruits, and herbs year-round in Metro Houston. They do this through programs on all aspects of growing food. 

Programs:  Monthly meetings on topics such as:

  • leaving a legacy of better soil
  • eating organic wholesome food with a known history
  • getting more production with less time and having more fun
  • getting to know like-minded people and sharing what you know with others
  • restoring respect for the earth and the environment
  • forming a gardening support network/community
  • feeling good because you can share food with hungry people
  • supporting our local Houston economy by buying supplies from local vendors

Meetings: HUG meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:30pm at the West Gray Metropolitan Multi-Service Center (1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019) in the Montrose/River Oaks area near Waugh Drive.…

Photo of Houston Botanic Garden Houston Botanic Garden
(713) 715-9675

Purpose: To establish and sustain a premier botanic garden to promote public appreciation and understanding of plants, gardens, and conservation of the natural world through education and scientific enquiry. Through discovery, education and the conservation of plants and the natural environment, the HBG aims to enrich lives, serve as a model for sustainability, and inspire all who visit to become environmental stewards.…

Photo of Houston Peace and Justice Center Houston Peace and Justice Center
(713) 900-4752

Purpose: The Houston Peace and Justice Center provides networks and resources for organizations and individuals to advance peace and social justice.

Programs: Links and resources to various social justice movements happening in the area.

Volunteer Opportunities: Fill out an application online to become a volunteer.…

Photo of Public Citizen – Texas Public Citizen – Texas
(512) 477-1155

Purpose: To research and recommend policy that will lower electric bills, increase clean and renewable sources of energy, and combats greenhouse gas emissions responsible for global climate change by working to encourage city and state incentives for energy efficiency and to create incentives and mandates for more renewable energy.

Programs: Policy programs in are climate change, promoting clean government, fighting dirty energy, advancing energy efficiency in Texas, advancing renewable energy in Texas and student organizing.…

Photo of Save Buffalo Bayou Save Buffalo Bayou

Purpose:  To educate the public and public officials about proper land management on our many streams, drawing on the latest science, and to advocate for enlightened flood and erosion control and drainage policies and practices that respect the natural process of our local bayous and creeks, their floodplains and watersheds, the trees and vegetation growing on their banks, all of which are so vital for the health of our waters, our environment, and us.…

Photo of Texas Community Watershed Partners Texas Community Watershed Partners
(281) 218-0570

Purpose: To provide education and outreach to local governments and citizens on the impacts of land use on watershed health and water quality.

Major Events: Workshops, Seminars, Conferences, Courses, and Classes.

Volunteer Opportunities: Restoration Projects, Conservation Projects, Landscape Installation Projects, and Wetland Workdays.

Publications:   

  • Can Houston Feed Itself?
Photo of Living Paradigm Community Dev. Corp Living Paradigm Community Dev. Corp
(832) 303-9208

Purpose: The mission of Living Paradigm is to empower people by creating home ownership of shelters erected from reclaimed materials. These dwellings will be environmentally responsible and healthy places for those that inhabit them and will contribute to the culture, vitality, and individuality of the community.

Living Paradigm addresses the social, economic and environmental basis of sustainable living by building low-cost homes (under $50k), with volunteer or apprenticeship labor, using materials that would otherwise go to the landfill.…

Photo of Houston Tomorrow Houston Tomorrow
(713) 523-5757

Purpose: Houston Tomorrow is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all the people of the Houston region through research, education, and discussion. Its vision is that on its 200th birthday, the Houston region will be home to the healthiest, happiest, most prosperous people in the United States.…

The CEC has a searchable, web-based version of the Environmental Resource Guide. You may also download older versions of the printed guide below.

Archived Resource Guides