Calendar

Apr
2
Fri
First Friday Friends @ Jesse H. Jones Nature Center
Apr 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.

Apr
30
Fri
City Nature Challenge
Apr 30 – May 2 all-day

Participate in the City Nature Challenge on April 30 – May 2. Be part of an international project, support outdoor learning and exploration, and even integrate technology into the classroom.

Find an Educator Toolkit here: https://citynaturechallenge.org/education-toolkit/

Find a student-friendly explanation video here: https://youtu.be/XCXICUfwuk0.

Visit the Houston project page on iNaturalist here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2021-houston-galveston.

Join in a fun challenge to observe and record wild species. It is easy to participate by making observations on your own using the iNaturalist app. Just take a picture of a plant or animal, and the community will help identify which species it is. Any observation in the greater metropolitan area of Houston will count during the four-day challenge. You can participate by exploring the life in your backyard (and use the hashtag #backyardchallenge on social media), in your neighborhood park, or from an apartment balcony or courtyard. You can also help with IDs for other people’s observations to increase our species count.

May
7
Fri
First Friday Friends @ Jesse H. Jones Nature Center
May 7 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.

Jun
4
Fri
First Friday Friends @ Jesse H. Jones Nature Center
Jun 4 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.

Nov
5
Fri
Texas-Sized Arbor Day Tree Planting Extravaganza @ McKenzie Park
Nov 5 @ 8:00 am – Nov 6 @ 2:00 pm
Legacy Trees Project

A Texas Sized Arbor Day Tree Planting Extravaganza!

Be a Texas-Sized Arbor Day Tree Planting Extravaganza Volunteer!  Join Mercer arborist Laura Medick on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 between 8 – 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day.  Five to six volunteers will assist in 3-hour shifts, to help monitor the tree planting process and  distribute water to ensure tree planters stay hydrated.

Location: McKenzie Park, 23520 Gosling Road in Spring

Dec
11
Sat
Plant Longleaf Pines at Big Thicket National Preserve @ Big Thicket National Preserve
Dec 11 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Join the Texas Conservation Alliance in planting longleaf pine saplings.

Plant Longleaf Pines at Big Thicket National Preserve Dec 11

Dec
15
Wed
Tree-rific Volunteers @ Mercer Horticultural Propagation Center
Dec 15 @ 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Help care for nursery trees from the Historical Texas trees collection and other natives at the Mercer Botanic Gardens Horticultural Propagation Center. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a refillable water bottle. Online registration begins at 9 a.m. 30 days prior to the event. Online registration closes 48 hours prior to the event.

Help care for nursery trees from the Historical Texas trees collection and other natives at the Mercer Botanic Gardens Horticultural Propagation Center. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a refillable water bottle. Online registration begins at 9 a.m. 30 days prior to the event. Online registration closes 48 hours prior to the event.

Dec
16
Thu
Mercer Botantic Gardens Volunteer Orientation @ Timber Lane Community Center
Dec 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Registration required. Ages 16+. Ages 12 - 15 with parent. Do you want to give back to your community, need volunteer hours for school, or just love the outdoors and have an interest in Gulf Coast flora? Mercer Botanic Gardens offers a variety of volunteer opportunities at three facilities within one mile of the gardens. Join us for a volunteer orientation to discover everything we have to offer, from helping maintain our gardens, to plant propagation and sales, to educational programs, and serving as a Mercer Ambassador. Online registration begins at 9 a.m. 30 days prior to the event. Online registration closes 48 hours prior to the event.

Mercer Botanic Gardens offers a variety of volunteer opportunities at three facilities within one mile of the gardens, interested in volunteering? Then attend this event!

Online registration begins at 9 a.m. 30 days prior to the event. Online registration closes 48 hours prior to the event.

Jan
22
Sat
Houston Arbor Day with Bayou Land Conservancy @ Kickerillo-Mischer Park
Jan 22 @ 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Join your community and several area partners on Houston’s Arbor Day, January 22nd. Bayou Land Conservancy and partners will be planting native trees that will help protect water quality and community health.

There are two shifts (either from 9:00 am to 10:30am or 11:00 am to 12:30pm). You can register for one or both, all are welcome to volunteer with Bayou Land Conservancy! Register here: bayouland.org/arborday22 or contact BLC for more information.

Apr
1
Fri
The Great Texas Birding Classic Registration Deadline
Apr 1 @ 10:12 pm – 11:12 pm

26th Annual Birding Classic

The biggest, longest, wildest bird watching tournament in the U.S.!

2022 artwork

Registration deadline: April 1, 2022

What is the Birding Classic? Who can join the fun?

  • All levels and ages of birders are welcome to join this Texas bird watching event during the amazing spring migration.
  • There’s a tournament category for everyone – from the beginning backyard birder to the competitive lister!
  • Registration fees raise money for Texas bird and birding conservation project grants.
  • Gather your team, register, and go birding – it’s truly that simple.