Calendar
Drawdown EcoChallenge is a 21-day engagement program focused on carbon reduction. The challenge takes place April 3-24 and follows actions highlighted in Drawdown, a book based on meticulous research that maps, measures, models, and describes solutions to global warming that already exists. Participants track and share their progress online in a robust platform and earn points for taking action. The combination of collective action, camaraderie, and friendly competition makes change a little easier — and a lot more fun.
Drawdown EcoChallenge provides tools and inspiration to turn intention into action, and gives participants a fun and social way to think about and act on proven solutions to reverse global warming. Over eighty actions within seven challenge categories provide participants with diverse options to reduce carbon usage.
Drawdown EcoChallenge is free and open to the public. Participants can join an existing team, create a new one, or join the Community team.
For more information, visit drawdown.ecochallenge.org.
Please join us for Houston Audubon’s newest monthly bird survey at the Houston Botanic Garden (Glenbrook Golf Course). We meet the first Thursday of each month at the main parking lot at 8205 N Bayou Dr, Houston, TX 77017.If the lot is closed, park at the park next door. There is a swimming pool near the parking lot.
This monthly survey will help assess the current bird population and the changes to the population as the grounds are converted into the botanic garden. Houston Audubon’s Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center sits across from the grounds along the historic meander of the bayou and already has a species list over 100. We anticipate the grounds of the future botanic garden to become a hotspot for birds with a species list well over 200.  Habitat across the Houston area is shrinking and Houston Audubon is excited to work with Houston Botanic Garden as they make decisions about this very important property.
The property has been part of the Central Christmas Bird Count since 2015. This is a large piece of property. We will work towards having teams of birders and volunteers helping to bird the entire property. A typical bird survey is 2 hours long but folks can come and go as they need to.
We welcome everyone. You do not need to be an experienced birder. If you need to borrow binoculars just let us know. Email Mary Anne Weber at maweber@houstonaudubon.org if you have questions and would like to join us.
As birds, butterflies and bees become increasingly imperiled, more homeowners are creating gardens to nurture and sustain pollinators. These dynamic gardens not only support wildlife but also provide an attractive and healthy environment for people.
Master gardener and naturalist Glenn Olsen explains which wildflowers, flowering shrubs, fruit trees and even vegetables offer food and shelter for pollinators. Learn to create an outdoor oasis for yourself and for pollinating creatures. The class includes a field trip to the Rice University Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden, the Urban Pocket Prairie and the Lynn Lowery Arboretum. To register and for more details, visit glasscockcatalog.rice.edu.
Come on out to our annual fundraiser, Hammers and Ales, a Happy Hour style event at Karbach Brewery on April 4th, 2019, now with live music! Enjoy a bottomless selection of Karbach beer, as well as tasty heavy bites from Karbach’s kitchen, a rad silent auction, a cornhole tournament, other fun games and a raffle. This year, the event will move downstairs to the outside area to accommodate an expected crowd of 400 plus attendees. And, we’re excited to announce live music from Eagles tribute band Already Gone. All event proceeds will go to support the Houston Community ToolBank.
And as usual, we’ll be raffling and auctioning off valuable items, all to raise money for the ToolBank’s mission and ongoing Harvey recovery efforts: serving Houston-area nonprofits, churches, schools and community groups by providing tools for pennies on the dollar to drive volunteerism in our community. All proceeds will benefit the ToolBank directly.
We are offering a limited number of VIP tickets. VIP tickets include early admission, swag bags and rapid check in.
We look forward to seeing you at Hammers & Ales on April 4th, 2019!
Faith Climate Action Week will take place for ten days in April during Earth Month. It will focus on how we can take action to protect our climate.
Celebrations, sermons, service projects, events, and nature walks will be held, all week. Sign up now and be the first to receive information on how to participate!
We will be focusing on ways we can green our facilities and homes, take action locally, and advocate nationally for positive steps towards a sustainable, 100% renewable us energy future. Join for a whole week of Creation celebration and carbon-cutting activities. Sign up to receive information and activities around this exciting event.
Houston Audubon is celebrating 50 years of bird conservation and education. To commemorate this special occasion, we are dedicating the first weekend of April to bird and wildlife photography at our world famous High Island sanctuaries. Photographers of all skill levels and camera types are welcome to participate. The registration fee includes day passes, workshops, and events for both days.
Saturday, April 6Â
7 AM – Dawn at the Rookery photo session and registration packet pick up – Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary
9 AM – Intro and Welcome at the High Island Community Center
Morning and afternoon workshops – Leaders include Alan Murphy, Joe Smith, Trey Morris and others. Sonny Manley will lead a workshop on hummingbird photography.
Evening – Facilitated Photo Shoot at the Rookery
Sunday, April 7
8:30 AM – Raptor Photography Shoot with Houston Audubon’s captive raptors in natural setting
10 AM – Workshops continue. Tim Timmis will be one of the presenters.
Noon – Carousel of Flight: participants share their best images from the weekend
Memorial Park Conservancy’s Brunch Run is the run for your park! Runners, joggers, and walkers will enjoy a 5K route through beautiful Memorial Park, starting and ending in the Park’s new Eastern Glades. Celebrate with friends at the post-race party featuring brunch favorites.
Location: The course begins in the Park’s new Eastern Glades along E. Memorial Loop, west of Crestwood.
Time: The Kids’ 1K begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K begins at 8:00 a.m. Please arrive at least one hour prior to your event.
Sponsorship and vendor opportunities available.
Please sign up you (and your group) to participate in the second quarter cleanup.
The official cleanup day for DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS TRASHOFF is Saturday, April 6, 2019.
Breakfast, and supply pickup is scheduled from 7:30AM to 9:00AM at the Lone Star Pavilion of Centennial Park.
There will be a GIVEAWAY for those who attend the breakfast.
You may arrange to pick up your supplies on another date & time via this form and not participate in the breakfast. You can also let us know if you are doing your cleanup up on an alternative date using this form.
*If you do not have an adopt-a-spot: Depending on your group size you will be assigned an area or a group to assist.
Keep Pearland Beautiful, in partnership with Shadow Creek Outdoors Club, will be hosting the 4th Annual Pearland Clean & Green event on April 6, 2019 at the Pearland Town Center (11200 Broadway St., Pearland, TX 77584). Clean and Green began in 2016 as a community ‘call to action’ for Shadow Creek Ranch residents to clean up litter and learn about ‘green’ initiatives, centered around the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle). As one of the largest Master Planned Communities in this region, residents of Shadow Creek Ranch take pride in keeping a clean community. The event has expanded over the years to draw in residents from across the area. The event will begin with a litter cleanup from 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. The community will gather at the Pearland Town Center Pavilion from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for activities, entertainment and educational displays. The event is free to the public.