All Houston-area residents are invited to participate in the online People’s Ecochallenge. This event offers you the opportunity to care for the earth by taking on a challenge in: regenerating nature, nourishing food, balancing consumption, cultivating communities or enacting equity.  You can learn about these topics, take action in your personal life, advocate or create a new environmental justice/stewardship habit over the course of the 3 weeks of the challenge!!  Two Houston-based teams have already been set up – see the links below to join one of these two teams. Or form your own team, or join as an individual at https://peoples.ecochallenge.org/! Have questions?  Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Join Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston team: https://peoples.ecochallenge.org/participants/join?referral_code=ca5c70ec-b02b-4d9f-a4f0-946dc4b56543&team_invitation=true&team_id=21277

Join Lutherans Restoring Creation – Gulf Coast team: https://peoples.ecochallenge.org/participants/join?referral_code=fe21cf25-9b06-489e-9f75-e61ace8bee6e&team_invitation=true&team_id=21278

As people of faith and conscience, we believe elections are a referendum on the values that will shape our future. How can we renew our fragile democracy? How do we honor the human dignity of every person? Will we protect our Sacred Earth and our children’s future? What policies will prioritize the common good and confront future crises that remind us of our interdependence? Many of the defining moral issues of our time are on the ballot: faltering democratic institutions, too much wealth in the hands of a few, damage to the climate, cruel immigration policies that tear families apart, mass incarceration that devastates communities of color, senseless gun violence, and threats to global public health and security. These challenges are daunting. To move forward in a spirit of hope, and to resist despair and cynicism, join this weekly discussion group where we’ll navigate the urgent moral questions raised by the coming election, allowing you to discern your path forward. Can’t make it every week? Join as you are able, or for those topics most of interest to you. The topic for each week’s discussion is given below. All attendees receive an electronic copy of the Faithful Voter Reflection Guide from Interfaith Power & Light, plus supplemental materials provided by the facilitator. Register on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faithful-voter-weekly-discussion-group-tickets-384102800817?aff=ebdssbdestsearch. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.

Sept. 13: Protecting Our Sacred Earth                    Sept. 20: Protecting Democracy & Voting Rights

Sept. 27: Loving Our Immigrant Neighbors           Oct. 4: Building an Economy of Inclusion

Oct. 11: Pursuing Restorative & Racial Justice      Oct. 18: Respecting the Dignity of LGBTQ People

Oct. 25: Protecting Everyone’s Health                   Nov. 1: Creating a More Peaceful World

Weekly book discussion group, hosted by Extinction Rebellion.

To sign-up, email Nan Hildreth.

Meet in front of the bathrooms near the parking lot off Eldridge.

Are you looking for a fantastic place to see an amazing array of birds? Join Houston Audubon on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Archbishop Fiorenza Park (Phase 2) between Eldridge and Highway 6 for the chance to see a multitude of species, get a good healthy walk in and enjoy the company of other outdoor loving folks. This park has miles of paved trails, wooded thickets, open grassy areas, large detention ponds with bird islands and much more. It is north of the Westpark Tollway and just north of the original Archbishop Fiorenza Park on Eldridge.

Email Mary Anne Weber at if you’d like to participate.

Looking for a place to get your children outdoors? ABNC’s EcoClasses will allow your child to explore, discover and observe (STEM). Join them for some great nature experiences! Check out their website at abnc.org for details or call 713-274-2668 to reserve your spot.

EcoTots are for children 18-36 months with an adult every Friday.
EcoKids are for children ages 3-6 every Wednesday and Friday.
EcoSchoolers are for homeschool children ages 7-10 every Wednesday and Friday.    EcoAdventurers are for children ages 11-14 every Wednesday.

Please bring a Snack, Refillable Water Bottle, mask, closed toe shoes and dress for the weather.

Environment Protectors Initiating Change (E.P.I.C)

E.P.I.C. is a free service learning club for high school teens that is aimed at learning about, and solving coastal environmental problems through hands-on projects.

If you would like to:

• Make a difference
• Help your community
• Make new friends
• Gain volunteer hours
• Have fun

Join them for a meeting at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center on Wednesdays 4 pm – 5 pm!

Scientists tell us that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. That may seem like a very high hurdle. But, it translates to only a 5%/year reduction, starting now. Participants in this course will leave with a plan for at least their first 5% reduction, and knowledge of how to find the other 40%. Many participants have found easy, cost-effective reductions of more than 20%. The course was developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement. Inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism & to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet, Walk on Earth Gently invites you into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. This program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation, energy, and food but will be customized for participants. Anticipated schedule/topics to be covered are given below.  Join us in accepting the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and committing to a sustainable lifestyle, via a weekly online discussion group. Can’t make it every week? Join us as you are able. Are you ready to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle? Then join us on this journey to Living the Change by registering on www.eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.

Sept. 7: Introduction & Transport, week 1

Sept. 14, Sept. 21 & Sept. 28: Transport, weeks 2, 3 & 4

Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19 & Oct. 26: Energy, weeks 1, 2, 3, & 4

Nov. 2, Nov. 9 & Nov. 16: Food, weeks 1, 2 & 3

Nov. 30: Food, week 4 & closing

Volunteers meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month to propagate plants from locally collected native seed. A typical workday may include seeding pots, bumping up trays into 1-gallon containers, separating seedlings, and weeding pots. They will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in restored prairies.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the Natural Resource Management Program, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov or visit houstontx.gov/parks/naturalresources.html.

Climate Solutions 101 is the world’s first major educational effort focused solely on climate solutions. Rather than rehashing well-known climate challenges, these materials from Project Drawdown concentrate on game-changing climate action based on rigorous scientific research and analysis. This course, presented in video units and in-depth conversations, combines Project Drawdown’s trusted resources with the expertise of several inspiring voices from around the world. Climate solutions become attainable with increased access to free, science-based educational resources, elevated public discourse, and tangible examples of real-world action. Continue your climate solutions journey, today. Join others for a weekly online discussion on climate solutions! Register for this course on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-solutions-101-tickets-405602787857. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.