Calendar

Apr
27
Fri
Prairie Friday @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
Apr 27 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

An opportunity to participate in stewardship work for registered volunteers–if you are not already a volunteer, please check out Armand Bayou Nature Centers’ website for more information.

Help restore the prairie by potting and planting native plants and forbs every Friday, rain or shine. You do not need to attend every Friday.

Apr
28
Sat
Deer Park Prairie: Workday @ Deer Park Prairie
Apr 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Workday: Fourth Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m. to noon or later

Visitation of Deer Park Prairie is by appointment only. Since the prairie will be attended on scheduled workdays, they will be ideal days to visit. Please email HNPAT@TexasPrairie for appointment on either workdays or any other days.

1222 E. Purdue Lane, Deer Park, TX 77536  (Check out the map for more direction details)
Please bring a signed liability release: adult or  adult+children

Please do not park directly in front of our neighbors’ houses – park across the street.

As always on the prairie, wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. For seed collecting, bring clippers  if you have them. Also recommended are long-sleeved shirt, hat, water, insect repellent, sunscreen.

Email HNPAT@TexasPrairie.org to RSVP and for event day contact number. Last minute deciders are welcome, but will not be contacted in case of cancellation, etc.

Exploration Green Grand Opening: Spring into the Green! (Save the Date) @ Phase 1 Site
Apr 28 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Exploration Green’s Phase 1, the first section to have detention lake excavated; trees, scrubs, and grasses planted and hike and bike trails completed, is just about to be officially opened. Save the date for Exploration Green’s Grand Opening “Spring into the Green,” which will be held on Apr. 28, 2018 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

If you are intereested in volunteering for this event, there will be multiple shifts available to help with set-up/break-down, handing out information about the Green, guided tours, kids activities, and more.

For more information, visit explorationgreen.org.

Invasives Beware/ Citizen Scientists Training @ Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Apr 28 @ 9:00 am

Join a staff naturalist to learn how to identify invasive species, the importance of
monitoring and how to properly remove and control their spread. Ages 12+. Reservations required beginning April 18, 2018.

All Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center programs requiring reservations are limited in size and open to one family per phone call. Group reservations are not allowed unless otherwise indicated. Preferential reservations are given to Harris County residents. Persons not residing in Harris County may attend a space-limited program if spaces are available.

All programs and events are free of charge unless otherwise noted and open to the public regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, physical ability, national origin, or religion. Anyone requiring special assistance to participate in these programs should contact the nature center. Programs meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Solid shoes are recommended for all walks. Call 281-446-8588 for reservations or information.

Apr
30
Mon
Jesse Jones Park Volunteers @ Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Apr 30 @ 7:00 pm

The JJPV invites everyone to its monthly program and meeting. Ages 16+.

All Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center programs and events are free of charge unless otherwise noted and open to the public regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, physical ability, national origin, or religion. Anyone requiring special assistance to participate in these programs should contact the nature center. Programs meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Solid shoes are recommended for all walks. Call 281-446-8588 for more information.

May
2
Wed
E.P.I.C Program @ Eddie V. Grey Wetlands Education Center
May 2 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

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!

May
3
Thu
HPARD’s Native Plant Propagation Workdays @ HPARD Greenhouse
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Image result for Houston Parks & Recreation Department logo

Habitat Restoration

Our volunteer group meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon at the HPARD Greenhouse.

We 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. We will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in our restored prairies!

We are also beginning to conduct semi-annual vegetation transects and monthly bird surveys at our current and future restoration sites. If you’re good at identifying plants or birds or if you would like to learn more about them, come join us!

If you’re interested in volunteering for the NRMP, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov.

Stormwater Wetland Program Volunteer Opportunity
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

The Texas Coastal Watershed Program holds weekly volunteer days for their stormwater wetland program, 9am-12pm on Thursdays. Volunteers help propagate plants in the wetland plant nursery at Exploration Green in Clear Lake City, or at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson.  The stormwater wetland program is developing demonstration projects to show  how wetlands can be designed into flood control basins to clean contaminants from surface runoff,  protect our bayous and bays, and provide a refuge for wildlife. A schedule and more information is available by contacting Mcedwards@tamu.edu.

Urban Harvest’s Growing Organic Vegetable Series @ University of Houston, Central Campus, McElhinney Hall, Room TBD
May 3 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

In a total of 10 classes (25 hours of instruction), this series covers everything you want to know about growing vegetables. Topics include the advantages of organic and ecological approaches over chemicals; vegetable garden design; irrigation and drainage; soil fertility, mulches and composts; organic pest control; seeds, transplants, where to get them and how to plant them. The last half is a detailed discussion of selecting, growing and using the many varieties of vegetables, annual herbs, and melons.

Those who complete the class will become certified Organic Vegetable Specialists.

This is a series of ten classes and may not be taken individually. Assignments for the class include the reading of Dr. Bob Randall’s book, Year Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro-Houston. Cost of the book is $45.


SCHEDULE

Thursdays, 2018 from 6:30pm to 9pm

Class 1 – January 18
Class 2 – January 25
Class 3 – February 8
Class 4 – February 22
Class 5 – March 8
Class 6 – March 22
Class 7 – April 5
Class 8 – April 19
Class 9 – May 3
Class 10 – May 17

For an in-depth schedule, go to Spring 2018 class schedule and description.


DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

I-45 S, exit Cullen, go south, enter University of Houston campus, proceed through Elgin, Holman, Entrance 14 and Entrance 13, Cougar Place, turn left at Wheeler, take first right into driveway – park to the left of Lot 9C(although it says permit required, we have permission) Follow Urban Harvest signs back to Wheeler at Cullen. Walk north along Cullen, pass entrance 13 Cougar Village and follow the Urban Harvest signs to the classroom

 

For more classes by Urban Harvest, view their Upcoming Classes.

May
4
Fri
Prairie Friday @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
May 4 @ 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

An opportunity to participate in stewardship work for registered volunteers–if you are not already a volunteer, please check out Armand Bayou Nature Centers’ website for more information.

Help restore the prairie by potting and planting native plants and forbs every Friday, rain or shine. You do not need to attend every Friday.