The films presented by the Houston Green Film Series are free to public and funded by volunteer efforts, in-kind contributions and donations from the public.

Will the border wall strike a fatal blow to one of richest natural and cultural regions in North America?

“Ay Mariposa” is a one-hour long documentary produced through a collaboration between three award-winning women filmmakers: Krista Schyler, Jenny Nichols, and Morgan Heim.

As U.S. border patrol attempts to seize the National Butterfly Center under eminent domain and Congress considers funding $5 billion more towards Trump’s wall, the Rio Grande Valley is at risk of being walled off and degrading one of the richest natural regions in the country.

This film follows the stories of Executive Director of the National Butterfly Center Marianna Trevino Wright, former migrant worker and long time human rights activist Zulema Hernandez, and la mariposa, as they combat against the destruction of the Monarch butterfly’s remaining habitat.

This month’s panelists includes:

• Marianna Trevino Wright, Executive Director of the National Butterfly Center
• TBD

Free to the public, though donations are kindly appreciated. Rice Cinema is located at 2030 University Blvd, near Stockton and University.

• 6:30 PM Reception, with complementary refreshments
• 7:00 PM Film screening
• 8:00 PM Panel Discussion
• 9:00 PM The conversation continues at Valhalla, Rice University’s Graduate Student Pub

For questions about transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event go to https://park-trans.rice.edu/

The films presented by the Houston Green Film Series are free to public and funded by volunteer efforts, in-kind contributions and donations from the public. Free tickets on Eventbrite.

“There has to be a fuel revolution.”

-Donnie Tipton of Going Green Grease Recycling

Set in Houston, Texas in the shadow of the nation’s oil industry, Hot Grease tells the surprising story of how the biodiesel industry is turning an ostensibly worthless raw material, spent kitchen grease, into a renewable energy source capable of fueling cars, buses and fleets of trucks throughout the country.

The millions of gallons of cooking oil that our country’s restaurants use to fry up chicken, fries, and donuts used to end up as waste in landfills and pollutants in our waterways. But today, thanks to innovators, entrepreneurs, and politicians, it’s being turned into a functional fuel: biodiesel. Biodiesel reduces carbon emissions up to 85% compared to petroleum fuel, the equivalent of removing over 19 million cars from our highways. This film dives into the untapped market of biodiesel as it rapidly becomes a commodity and individuals dedicate their livelihood to making it an accessible fuel choice in Houston.

This month’s panelists & exhibitors:

Chris Powers, Houston Biodiesel

Jody Gibson, Energy Institute High School

Michael McClere, Dependable Cooking Oil

Alona Hernandez, Houston Public Works

Ted Driscoll, Galveston Bay Foundation

Free to the public, though donations are kindly appreciated. Rice Cinema is located at 2030 University Blvd, near Stockton and University.

• 6:30 PM Reception & Refreshments
• 7:00 PM Film Screening
• 8:00 PM Panel Discussion
• 9:00 PM The conversation continues at Valhalla, Rice University’s Graduate Student Pub

For questions about transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event go to https://park-trans.rice.edu/

Join us for a morning of exploration and enlightenment at The Hill on October 26, 2019. Please see the flyer in the event discussion. The rail is approximately 2.5 miles; shorter routes are available. All ages and fitness levels are welcome.

This event is being held in conjunction with the 1st Annual SCC Cloverland and Paradise Valley Breast Cancer Awareness Event.

Mark your calendars. NHS Hill Hikes will now be held on the 4th Saturday of every month.

The scenic view of Houston from the Hill is a must-see ! Hill Hikes… Refreshing, Inspiring, Enlightening, FUN !

The Environmental Educators Exchange meets quarterly on the first Wednesday of the month. Our goal is to provide a neat space to rejuvenate, network and learn about trends in environmental education. All are welcome (including children). Bring a snack to share and invite a friend.

Tentative Agenda:
3:30 – 5:00 canoe in the lake
5:00 – 5:45 networking & resource sharing
5:45 – 6:30 night hike & bonfire?!?

A few rules: For canoeing, we can accommodate children weighing 30 pounds or more. Also, there must be one adult paddler per canoe and one adult per child 10 years and younger. Example: 2 adults with 2 children 10 and younger, 1 adult with 1 child 11+. Maximum 4 persons to a canoe. i.e. One parent cannot ride alone with two children. Canoes and PFDs will be furnished. You may bring your own canoe/kayak.

With the Wild About Houston Film Festival coming up this October, the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition is taking a look back at some of our favorite films from festivals past.

Join the community for a fun evening of inspiring films. Find ways to get involved with our member organizations right here in the Gulf Coast region.

Submit your own films for the October festival, too. First check out the submission guidelines and then submit a film via this Google Form.

A Zoom link will be emailed to you prior to the show, so that we can all watch films together and interact in the chat. Kid/family/pet friendly. Pop some popcorn and join us!

Hurricanes dominate our headlines. Let’s unite our community in the movement for climate justice. Come together to virtually watch and discuss this award-winning documentary with local activists and raise funds to support frontline communities in Houston. Purchase tickets here. 

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.

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.

THURSDAYS, 9 A.M. – 10 A.M.

Experience forest bathing, led by a certified guide, followed by practice of the Christian spiritual discipline of the Earth Examen.  Forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan, involves taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest.  Forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and focus, enhance creativity, and lead to an increased sense of calm and altruistic behavior, in addition to other benefits such as boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure.  As Christians, we understand that God is present in God’s creation, and after our guided forest bath, we’ll spend some time considering the Earth Examen as we reflect both on our time spent forest bathing and on our relationship with all creation.  This activity is for a small group and space is limited.  Please register at www.eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.