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/
In honor of Houston Audubon’s 50th anniversary, they’re hosting the first-ever Houston Bird Week! Equal parts fun, education, and celebration, experience firsthand the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds, and the everyday life of our urban-dwelling birds. Led by Houston Audubon’s Young Professionals Advisory Council in collaboration with local conservation partners, they have a flock of fun planned for all.
Don’t miss their kickoff party, where we’ll be unveiling the official Bird Beer in collaboration with Bakfish Brewing Co and announcing the Bird of Houston! From pop-up birding stations to park clean-ups and bioblitzes, your participation and excitement will help them continue to be a welcoming home for Houston’s birds. They’ll end the week with a Birthday Bash to celebrate Houston Audubon’s 50th anniversary and the conclusion of Bird Week, so mark your calendars for a week of fun!
Let’s get chirping on social media. Use #HoustonBirdWeek to share your excitement!

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
Join us for the Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable Field Trip on Thursday, November 14, with a presentation and short walk at Spring Creek Nature Trail. We will meet at the recreation center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands.
Following the presentation and walk, we can meet at The Craft Grill for lunch on our own.
Transportation to and from H-GAC can be provided for up to 20 registrants. We will leave H-GAC at 8:30 a.m. The field trip officially ends at noon. Anyone riding with H-GAC will return at approximately 3 p.m.
Before the tour, please download the TravelStorys app to experience some of the features of the interactive tour available along the trail.
And be sure to plan to wear closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or even muddy. Spring Creek Nature Trail is a natural trail, so prepare for outdoor conditions.
The PNA Roundtable serves as a forum for discussion of issues related to parks and natural areas, promotes the PNA Award Program, and maintains a regional inventory of parks. The PNA roundtable facilitates information exchange and planning efforts between various stakeholders and collaborators to protect and preserve parks and natural areas across the region.
The PNA Roundtable meets the second Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November and is open to anyone interested in participating.
Get more information about the Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable.Â
To join the mailing list to find out updates about meetings and activities, email Andrea Tantillo.
Interested in Urban Forestry? Come join Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, HAUFC and ISA-TX for a great day of education. Topics include: Emerald Ash Borer – Coming to a City Near You, Using Tree Growth Regulators to Reduce Pruning Costs, and Greening the Houston Region – Partnerships and Projects that Support the Urban Forest.
Please join the group for a morning of trail maintenance helping the Friends of Woodland Park revitalize, weed, and mulch the wooded trail entrance! This event is hosted the by Friends of Woodland Park and supported by Parks Project.
You Bring: Sturdy closed-toe shoes, clothing appropriate to the weather (long pants and sleeves), refillable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, and work gloves (if you have them).
Parks Project Provides:Â Snacks, water, and Parks Project swag for volunteers!
Following the trail work, come over to the Spring Street Beer and Wine Garden (weather pending) for a chance to socialize and relax after a morning of hard and fulfilling work.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email charlottecisneros@gmail.com
The Houston Botanic Garden will mark the completion of the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden – the first feature garden included in Phase I of the site master plan to be planted – with a free community celebration on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, from 2-4 p.m., at 8205 N. Bayou Dr., Houston, 77017. The event marks the first opportunity for neighbors and others eagerly following the Garden’s progress to get a sneak peek at just a few of the unique new features destined to make it a must-see showcase of Houston’s biodiversity and an oasis of horticultural beauty when it opens in fall 2020.
Senior adults are invited to a variety of natural history programs, leisurely walks and fun nature activities every 1st Friday of the month. Meet at the nature center.
Bring the entire family out for a friendly competition of Nature Bingo. Teams will race against each other to complete their nature card. This bingo adventure involves running!!!