WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: An Invitation to Celebrate Local Heroes
By Nicole Cloutier-Lemasters
As World Environment Day approaches, the 2026 theme beckons us to consider the call for urgent climate action. Certainly, the urgency is real (has been for some time), but it also presents an opportunity to pause and look closer. This annual day (June 5th) of global recognition, established by the United Nations in 1973, is mainly directed to world leaders and policy makers. However, we want to use this opportunity to honor and celebrate our local environmental community – YOU – the unsung heroes doing the hard work to improve our local communities.
PEOPLE POWER
It has always been about people. Many great movements were started by small groups of people and passionate individuals. In fact, you don’t have to go far back in Houston’s environmental movement to come across some of the early leaders who shaped our current day organizations in similarly challenging times. One of the most prominent, Terese “Terry” Hershey, established numerous local organizations including Citizens Who Care, the precursor to today’s Citizens’ Environmental Coalition!
Hershey was at the forefront of the environmental movement. A philosophy graduate from the University of Texas, Hershey married Jake W. Hershey and moved to Houston in 1958. Hershey’s crusade to save Buffalo Bayou from channelization by the Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1960s resulted in an invitation from then Congressman George H. W. Bush to address the Appropriations Sub-committee on flood mitigation strategies. Her successful campaign not only halted the destructive plans for Buffalo Bayou, but was instrumental in the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act in 1972, legislation that requires public notification of any federal actions that may harm the environment.
Heralded by Bush as a “force of nature for nature” she continued her environmental work by establishing The Park People, which works to create and care for parks and green spaces throughout Houston. Hershey would go on to numerous high visibility positions as she advocated for conservation. She was key to the adoption of conservation easements and was appointed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in 1991. Many credit her work as the catalyst that energized the environmental movement in Houston.
Those familiar with CEC’s roots know the history of how a few tenacious women were the force that brought the organization into being. The group was led by Hershey as well as many other notable figures including award-winning journalist Marguerite Johnston Barnes and Hana Ginzbarg, who led the initiative to create Armand Bayou Nature Center, now the largest urban wilderness in Texas.
In the early 1970s, this group of women saw the burgeoning of multiple environmental organizations and events and recognized the need for better coordination and communication to streamline the activities and better support their efforts. So they created the first integrated green events calendar as well as an environmental resource guide. This was far before the internet could answer one’s queries, so an answering service was also created in order to advise concerned citizens and refer them to organizations with the relevant expertise.
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Despite the massive advances in technology since then, there is still a need, maybe even more so, for community and collaboration. CEC has been pivotal in fostering that camaraderie and community through its numerous legacy events including the Green Film Festival, Earth Day Houston and the Greater Houston Environmental Summit. Newer additions, such as the CEC Environmental Book Club and the CEC Happy Hours, present even more small group opportunities to learn together, share ideas and build camaraderie with diverse community members seeking to meet others engaged in environmental work.
As CEC Board President, Amanda Kuhl says, “Environmental challenges are too big and complex for any one organization to solve alone. CEC is a trusted convener, creating spaces where people can connect, and exchange ideas. When we strengthen relationships and build community, we create the conditions for meaningful collaboration and lasting impact.”
The above photos from the 60s and 70s exemplify the esprit de corps and the power of people coming together to achieve great things. Even at the height of such turmoil and transition in the U.S., it was these small groups of people coming together – shoulder to shoulder – in venues ranging from living rooms to large outdoor rallies – to unite, to support each other and to fight for what they believed in that created change.
That same spirit is evident today – at the Greater Houston Environmental Summit and at Earth Day Houston – the energy and passion are there. And we know the “can do” spirit is there – all of us can see it every day in the dedicated engagement of so many of CEC’s many member organizations working on air and water quality, environmental and social justice, wildlife conservation, land conservation, superfund site clean-ups, biodiversity, climate change, and more.
CELEBRATING THE SUCCESSES – TOGETHER
Anyone in the environmental sphere knows these are particularly challenging times, especially for those in the non-profit and environmental space. And, while it may be tempting to withdraw, acquiesce, or just give up, numerous sources encourage people to seek out community in times of stress to mitigate burnout.
As we celebrate World Environment Day and recognize CEC’s 55th anniversary, we will be recognizing THE ENTIRE COALITION! CEC only exists because of the community! Volunteers, staff, supporters, donors, board members, member organizations, individual members – everyone. We know better than anyone that the world is interconnected and so is our environmental community. Our green organizations ecosystem is large and connected, and this is exactly the time to come together, to honor the work of the giants who came before us setting the path for the dynamic organizations that exist today, and celebrate the ongoing progress all of these organizations are making and will continue to make.
Please join us on June 5th for a special all-inclusive celebration to come together and cherish the inspiring and dedicated people who lend their hearts and hard work to make a better Houston!
Our World Environment Day is ultimately a celebration of relationships — to the land, to wildlife, to water, and to one another. In a time when environmental challenges can feel overwhelming, gathering in community may be one of the most powerful forms of climate action we have.
Please join us!
The event is open to the public, and we hope you will share the invitation with your staff, volunteers, colleagues, and personal networks.
- Date: Friday, June 5
- Time: 6-8p. (Doors open at 6p. Program start at 6:30p)
- Who: Guest Speaker Luana Rubin, textile artist and designer
- What: Presentation “Art & Activism: Creating, Promoting and Supporting Activism Through Art”
- What else: Honoring Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Art Displays, Refreshments
- Where: Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South Street, Houston
- Tickets: Admission is free. Advance registration appreciated but not required.
- More information and registration at: https:tinyurl.com/WEDHTX2026
- Connect: On Instagram @WorldEnvironmentDayHTX #WEDHTX #NowForClimate