Calendar
Trail maintenance, volunteer work crew, and garden group.
For information on volunteer opportunities at Kleb Woods, contact Megan Ahlgren
VMS CODE: RM: Kleb Woods
It’s time to volunteer again! You know you want to, but you know there are rules, right? So here they are:
- Only a certain number of people will be allowed in each garden area. Be prepared to grow where you’re planted (work where you’re most needed)!
- You must supply your own gloves and tools.
- Park at the education building, not in front of the office.
- If you are more comfortable wearing a face mask, you are more than welcome to.
- Limits on the number of people should allow for 6 feet social distancing. Be mindful of the distance.
- As always, bring adequate sun protection and water.
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please quarantine for 14 days before joining Texas Master Naturalists – Heartwood Chapter at the Forest.
Volunteer slots begin at 9 am and end at noon. Contact heartwoodvsp@gmail.com for the latest plans.
VMS: RM: WG Jones State Forest (Specify garden or nursery maintenance)
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.
In 1996, a cross-section of stakeholders came together in Pittsburgh for the very first federally co-sponsored National Brownfields Training Conference. Now join National Brownfields Conference as we celebrate the 19th event from September 27th–30th, 2021, in Oklahoma City, OK at the Oklahoma City Convention Center!
Cosponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National Brownfields Training Conference is the largest gathering of stakeholders focused on cleaning up and reusing formerly utilized commercial and industrial properties. Mark your calendars for three days of training, networking, and business development!

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.