Calendar
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!
Pollinator migration season is nearly here! Show your love of these beneficial insects by attending the Fourth Annual Pollinator Festival and Plant Sale on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mercer Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble.
What to Buy
Shop plants that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden. The Mercer Society’s (TMS) Pollinator Plant Sale features host and nectar plants, including blue mistflower, purple coneflower, cardinal flower, Texas lantana, and scarlet tropical sage. Create a stunning home habitat for monarch butterflies by planting a wide variety of Texas native milkweed, including zizotes milkweed, green milkweed, aquatic milkweed, swamp milkweed, and antelope horns. Bring other local and migrating species to your yard by adding Texas native host plants. False nettle attracts red admirals and queens, spicebush lures spicebush swallowtails, and maypop brings gulf fritillaries.
Activities
This free, outdoor community event also features a scarecrow contest, lawn games, educational displays, and a book sale hosted by the Baldwin Boettcher Branch Library and Friends of the Library. Visit local exhibitors and vendors and participate in pollinator-themed activities, including the Pollinator Partners Promenade, a self-guided garden tour. If you need advice on pollinator plant selection or garden maintenance, visit a Harris County master gardener at the Ask a Master Gardener tent or connect with knowledgeable TMS plant growers.
Live performances will occur throughout the day, including an eclectic mix of Appalachian fiddle tunes and Celtic music by the Dulcimer Doin’s, Native American flute music by the Spring Cypress Flute Circle, and popular songs from the 1920s to today by the Houkulele Strummers. To add to the fun, visitors are invited to dress in bee, butterfly, bat, hummingbird, or flower attire.
What to Bring
Plant sale attendees are encouraged to bring something to transport their purchases, as wagons are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Proceeds from the Pollinator Plant Sale benefit Mercer Botanic Gardens. The festival is held outdoors at Mercer’s East Side Main Garden. Event parking is at the West Side Arboretum. Parking for those with disabilities is at the East Side Main Garden. Shuttles are available to transport visitors between the garden and arboretum on the east and west sides. A parent or guardian must accompany children younger than 16. Volunteer opportunities are also available. Email jhartwell@hcp4.net for details.
Join us for the 4th Annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, showcasing more than a dozen short films from the Greater Houston Area that tell the story of local environmental issues, their champions, and how you can make a difference.
The Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour is returning to Houston on January 29, 2022. Hosted by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, this year’s film fest will be a hybrid event, taking place both online and in person at MATCH to accommodate everyone’s COVID safety preferences.
SPONSORS
Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors:
Register now to volunteer at the 2022 Abandoned Crab Trap Removal event.
From February 18 – February 27, 2022, Texas waters will be closed to crab trapping. During this closure period, you can remove lost and derelict crab traps from Galveston Bay. You can drop traps off at one of several established trap drop sites around Galveston Bay.
On Saturday, February 19 2022 the Galveston Bay Foundation will host two crab trap removal events in Anahuac and Bolivar. They will be recruiting boat volunteers to collect traps and land volunteers to smash the traps.
Cleanup supplies will be provided but please bring a mask, sun protection, a full water bottle, and wear closed-toe shoes. There are restrooms and a water refill station in the office for guest use.
If you have any questions, please email Sasha Francis with Galveston Bay Foundation at sfrancis@galvbay.org and/or Lisa Brenskelle with IENoH at brenskelle@aol.com.
Calling people of all faiths, or no faith at all, to care for our shared environment!  We will remove trash polluting a shoreline along Galveston Bay in Kemah, helping to restore the beautiful bay ecosystem and learn about pollution prevention at home. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill levels, so bring the whole family! Supplies will be provided. You just need your mask, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and closed-toe shoes. This beach clean-up is organized by the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston in partnership with Galveston Bay Foundation. The event will be limited to 20 participants in two separate groups of 10 and social distancing guidelines will be followed. Registration for this event is limited and required for participation. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com or Sasha Francis at sfrancis@galvbay.org for more information.
Trash Bash® 2022 Returns to On-Site Cleanups!
The River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash® is excited to welcome back volunteers to the 28th annual cleanup of our Galveston Bay watershed on Saturday March 26, 2022!
​Trash Bash® is the largest, single-day waterway cleanup in Texas. New guidelines will be implemented at cleanup sites to help keep volunteers safe and maintain social distancing.
Calling people of all faiths or no faith at all in Houston to care for our shared environment in observance of Earth Day/Month!  We will engage in hands-on environmental stewardship at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill. Meet at the Swartz Gazebo in the park to sign in. Metro bus line 7 stops nearby, and line 49 is not far. Tools/supplies will be provided. This event is organized by Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, in partnership with the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy. The conservancy requires signing of a waiver to participate. Please register for planning purposes on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-2022-interfaith-environmental-stewardship-event-tickets-273115956177. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.
Calling people of all faiths or no faith at all in Houston to care for our shared environment!  We will engage in hands-on environmental stewardship at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve, getting the park spruced up for MusicFest on Oct. 29. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill levels. Meet at the Schwartz Gazebo in the park to sign in. Metro bus line 7 stops nearby, and line 49 is not far. Tools/supplies will be provided. This event is organized by Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, in partnership with the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy. The conservancy requires signing of a waiver to participate. Please register for planning purposes on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-2022-interfaith-environmental-stewardship-event-tickets-405652576777. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.