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In 2015, the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition brought the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour to Houston for the first time, selling out the first showing and sharing the festival with an audience of thousands in following years. Despite the enthusiastic reception, CEC quickly realized that, while the WSFF was inspiring and meaningful, it did not showcase local environmental stories, issues, and heroes.
So CEC decided to create its own, local green film festival.
The CEC is proud to virtually host the third annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival on Wednesday, October 21, and Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Each night features different films from our region.
CEC would like to use this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and to inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and our quality of life.
Be a sponsor, or a promotional partner! Email Alicia at alicia@cechouston.org for information.
Trees not only help provide wildlife habitat, they help prevent soil erosion and reduce urban heat and noise pollution. Make a positive environmental impact by helping plant native trees and riparian plants along the Spring Creek Greenway. Bring a shovel, work gloves, and a refillable water bottle and get ready to make a difference! Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. Face coverings required.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour is returning to the Bayou City on January 29, 2021. Hosted for the seventh straight year by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, this ever-popular film fest will be a virtual experience.
The January festival is just one of many offerings as part of the Houston Green Film Series. The lineup in January features national and international films that awe and inspire action to protect and preserve our environment. The festival also provides a broader audience for us to share three winners of the Wild About Houston Film Festival that highlight local environmental treasures and initiatives.
The auction has some GREAT items in 2021, including a pontoon boat ride through Armand Bayou Nature Center, a private cistern tour from Buffalo Bayou Partnership, custom art made by an ambassador animal at the Delores Fenwick Nature Center in Pearland and a private tour of Deer Park Prairie with Native Prairies Association of Texas. Bidding is open on this Google Form through February 1 at noon.
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://
Find a student-friendly explanation video here: https://youtu.be/
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.
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:Â McKenzie Park, 23520 Gosling Road in Spring
Join the Texas Conservation Alliance in planting longleaf pine saplings.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter Meeting: Photographing Texas Prairies
Join the Native Plant Society of Texas for their chapter meeting on Zoom! Register
Monday, February 14 • 6:30 p.m.
Good photography can change hearts and minds. Join professional photographer Sean Fitzgerald for a presentation on how to photograph prairies for maximum impact, with a particular focus on often overlooked Texas prairie ecosystems. Learn valuable tips to take better photos using a variety of techniques to help you tell the stories you want to tell.