Calendar
The Audubon Christmas Bird Count is Dec. 14, 2018, through Jan. 5, 2019, each year. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this global, all-volunteer effort collects data on local bird populations. Individual counts are open to birders of all levels, and there is no fee to participate. Several events are scheduled across the region. For details and dates for each count, visit houstonaudubon.org.
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!
The Memorial Park Conservancy has generously offered Katy Prairie Conservancy use of their greenhouse while the Native Seed Nursery at KPC’s field office in Waller is being renovated. Volunteers will help grow plants that will be used for various Katy Prairie Conservancy spring projects and for the Great Grow Out. The Memorial Park Conservancy Greenhouse is located in Memorial Park on the south side of Memorial Drive. All are welcome, no experience necessary.
Workdays are scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
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.
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.
This First Friday, Katy Prairie Conservancy will work on a number of different projects at Indiangrass Preserve. Volunteers will meet at the KPC Field Office, and everyone will work as long as weather permits.
KPC will provide all necessary supplies, but please bring water. Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a hat (optional). No seed collecting experience is necessary to participate.
There are many opportunities for you to get involved with EIH’s WaterSmart Habitat. Whether you’re looking for community service hours, or just a change of pace. Habitat volunteers help weed and mulch flower beds, plant native plants, maintain pathways, and trim trees and bushes. Volunteers may also help clean out the pond on select work days.
Volunteering at EIH is a great way to get your organization involved in the community. Please call in advance if you have a large group or if you would like to schedule your group on a different day. For more information, visit www.uhcl.edu, or contact: Wendy Reistle at 281-283-3045 or reistle@uhcl.edu.
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.
Habitat Restoration
Our volunteer group meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon at the HPARD Greenhouse.
We 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. We will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in our restored prairies!
We are also beginning to conduct semi-annual vegetation transects and monthly bird surveys at our current and future restoration sites. If you’re good at identifying plants or birds or if you would like to learn more about them, come join us!
If you’re interested in volunteering for the NRMP, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov.