Meet Mercer’s volunteer coordinator and explore the many volunteer opportunities at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Our volunteers not only help beautify the gardens and further educational programs, they also gain lifelong friendships and valuable knowledge of plants and horticulture.

Lunch Bunch is a free program offered at Mercer’s East Side Gardens, recommended for participants 12 and older. Attendees should bring a lunch and dress for the weather. Registration is required for each Lunch Bunch program. For more information or to register, call 713-274-4160.

Environment Protectors Initiating Change (E.P.I.C)

E.P.I.C. is a free service learning club for high school teens that is aimed at learning about, and solving coastal environmental problems through hands-on projects.

If you would like to:

• Make a difference
• Help your community
• Make new friends
• Gain volunteer hours
• Have fun

Join them for a meeting at the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center on Wednesdays 4 pm – 5 pm!

Volunteers meet the second and fourth Thursday of every month to propagate plants from locally collected native seed. A typical workday may include seeding pots, bumping up trays into 1-gallon containers, separating seedlings, and weeding pots. They will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in restored prairies.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the Natural Resource Management Program, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov or visit houstontx.gov/parks/naturalresources.html.

The Texas Coastal Watershed Program holds weekly volunteer days for their stormwater wetland program, 9am-12pm on Thursdays. Volunteers help propagate plants in the wetland plant nursery at Exploration Green in Clear Lake City, or at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson.  The stormwater wetland program is developing demonstration projects to show  how wetlands can be designed into flood control basins to clean contaminants from surface runoff,  protect our bayous and bays, and provide a refuge for wildlife. A schedule and more information is available by contacting Mcedwards@tamu.edu.

The second Thursday of each month book group for learning more about green themes including the environmental, social and economic approaches to sustainability.

For more information visit Facebook.com

Leave your troubles at the door, and join us for a chill craft event, second Thursdays from 6-8pm. Bring what you’re making, and hang out with us while we’re making what we’re making. Knit, crochet, embroider, slow stitch, paint, draw, collage, quill, whittle — whatever. BYOB — light snacks provided. Must be over 18.

Behind the Scenes at the High Island Sanctuaries
with Pete Deichmann, Coastal Sanctuaries Manager

High Island is world renowned for its productive rookery island and excellent birding during Spring Migration, but that’s not all. Houston Audubon is constantly working to improve habitat for both birds and visitors alike. Come hear more about what it takes to manage High Island. Coastal Sanctuaries Manager Pete Deichmann will talk about ongoing and past habitat projects as well as plans for the future.

Social at 7:00 PM; Presentation at 7:30 PM

This event is free and open to the public. Please register so we have an idea of how many are attending.

An opportunity to participate in stewardship work for registered volunteers–if you are not already a volunteer, please check out Armand Bayou Nature Centers’ website for more information.

Help restore the prairie by potting and planting native plants and forbs every Friday, rain or shine. You do not need to attend every Friday.