Calendar

Sep
18
Wed
Houston GREEN Film Series Screening “Hot Grease” @ Rice Media Center
Sep 18 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

The films presented by the Houston Green Film Series are free to public and funded by volunteer efforts, in-kind contributions and donations from the public. Free tickets on Eventbrite.

“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/

Sep
21
Sat
Houston Audubon Bird Week @ See Website For Daily Details
Sep 21 @ 12:00 am – Sep 28 @ 12:00 am

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!

Nov
2
Sat
Texas Arbor Day @ Mercer Botanic Gardens
Nov 2 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Texas Arbor Day @ Mercer Botanic Gardens | Humble | Texas | United States

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

Nov
14
Thu
Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable Field Trip @ Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
Nov 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable Field Trip to Spring Creek Nature Trail 

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. 

To join the mailing list to find out updates about meetings and activities, email Andrea Tantillo.

Nov
15
Fri
Houston Urban Tree Conference @ Weekly Community Center
Nov 15 @ 8:00 am – 3:30 pm

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.

Nov
16
Sat
Woodland Park Trail Restoration @ Woodland Park
Nov 16 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

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: 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

Jan
26
Sun
Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden Sneak Peak @ Houston Botanic Garden
Jan 26 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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.

Mar
6
Fri
First Friday Friends @ Jesse H. Jones Nature Center
Mar 6 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

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.

Nature Bingo @ Spring Creek Park
Mar 6 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

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!!!

Mar
7
Sat
Party for the Prairie! @ Safari Texas Ranch, Palm Pavilion
Mar 7 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Raise funds for the Lawther-Deer Park Prairie Education Program, honor Susan and Peter Conaty, participate in auctions, and test your prairie knowledge with this fun program.