Calendar
The films presented by the Houston Green Film Series are free to public and funded by volunteer efforts, in-kind contributi
“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/
NATIVE PLANT SOCIETYÂ OF TEXAS HOUSTON CHAPTER
WILDSCAPES WORKSHOP
Wildscapes Workshop, a one-day, not-to-be-missed educational event and local native plant sale. This year’s event will involve featured speakers providing up-to-date information on the relationship between native plants and our local wildlife and environment, and Houston’s prairie history, culture, and its future.
Wildscapes Workshop benefits local native plant gardens, grants, and scholarships.
NPSOT promotes research, conservation, and utilization of native plants and habitats through education, outreach, and example.
Register at NativePlantSociety.org
The native plant sale will be open to luncheon attendees Friday, October 18th at the Pearland First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, (2314 N. Grand, Pearland, TX  77581) when the Doors open at 10:30 AM.  The native and adaptive plant sale continues for the duration of the luncheon ending around 1:30PM.
The plant sale moves to the Stella Roberts Recycling Center (5800 Magnolia, Pearland, TX 77584) Saturday morning, October 19th from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
Fall Plant Sale
Fall is one of the best times to plant in Houston so get ready to garden at our Fall Plant Sale! We will be offering native flowers, shrubs, and trees – perfect for attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your yard or garden. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation and education efforts. Members receive discounts on all plant sale purchases.
Plant Sale Tips:
- Park at the 610 Entrance for easy accessibility
- Arrive early – the best plants go fast
- Bring a wagon if you have one – we will have a limited number for customer use
- Become a Member – members receive discounts on all plant sale purchases
Check out Houston Arboretum & Nature Center website for more information.

Celebrate Texas Arbor Day with a tree planting demonstration and receive a complimentary tree sapling while supplies last. Visit the outdoor library corner to find books on trees and how to care for them at Mercer’s West Side Arboretum. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, FACE PAINTING, HISTORICAL TREES, CHILDREN’S CRAFTS
The annual two-day plant sale fundraiser benefits the gardens, and features nearly 1200 varieties of high-quality plants rarely found at local retail nurseries. Special shopping hours for members of the Mercer Society, too.

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.Â

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.