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Parks, Nature Centers, and Open Space » Environmental Resource Guide

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A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P R S T U V W
Photo of Houston Parks Board Houston Parks Board
(713) 942-8500

Purpose: The Houston Parks Board creates, improves, protects and advocates for parks for everyone.  HPB is driven by the vision of thriving parks and communities for everyone forever.

Programs: Parkland and greenspace acquisition; park capital improvement projects; collaboration with other green groups; Neighborhood Partnership Program; 50/50 Park Partners Challenge; Volunteer Program.…

Photo of Galveston Bay Foundation Galveston Bay Foundation
(281) 332-3381

Purpose: To preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries for present users and for posterity. Galveston Bay Foundation’s balanced programs in advocacy, conservation, education, and research strive to ensure that Galveston Bay remains a beautiful and productive place for generations to come.

Photo of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
(409) 621-5151

Purpose: Identify, protect, conserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, values, and qualities of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and its regional environment for this and future generations. Programs: Down Under, Out Yonder (DUOY) Educator Workshop and Scuba Field Experience – annually in July.

Photo of Friends of Woodland Park Friends of Woodland Park
(713) 862-1520

Purpose: The Friends of Woodland Park, Inc. (FWP) is dedicated to preserving the park’s natural habitat along with its unique historical significance to the City of Houston, and to providing for the enjoyment and education of all who visit.

Publications: Subscribe to email newsletter.

Programs: Trails at Twilight Gala,

Bird watching monthly.…

Photo of Native Prairies Association of Texas Native Prairies Association of Texas
(512) 772-4741

Purpose: The Native Prairies Association of Texas (NPAT) is a non-profit membership organization and land trust dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native prairies, savannas, and other grasslands in Texas. NPAT protects over 2000 acres of native Texas grassland, including over 100 acres of endangered/threatened tallgrass prairie. In 2010, NPAT started its first local chapter in Houston to allow members in the metro area to meet and discuss local and regional projects and raise awareness for the organization in the Texas Gulf Coast region.…

Photo of The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy
(713) 524-6459

Purpose: The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and water on which all life depends. With operations in all 50 states and 35 countries, and a staff of 3700 including 600 scientists, we are the world’s largest non-profit conservation organization. Since 1964, TNC in Texas has been protecting our state’s natural landscapes.…

Photo of Hermann Park Conservancy Hermann Park Conservancy
(713) 524-5876

Purpose:Founded in 1992, Hermann Park Conservancy is a nonprofit citizens’ organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Hermann Park, one of Houston’s largest and most loved urban parks, where more than six million visitors make memories each year. Beyond raising funds to improve and maintain the Park, the Conservancy oversees strategic planning for Hermann Park’s future as well as programs focused on visitor services, conservation and stewardship, tree care, and operations and maintenance of the McGovern Centennial Gardens.

Photo of Mercer Botanic Gardens Mercer Botanic Gardens
(713) 274-4160

Purpose: Mercer Botanic Gardens (MBG) seeks to establish and maintain a versatile botanical facility for Houston and the greater Gulf Coast region, serving the general public, the horticulture industry, and the scientific community. MBG strives to improve  quality of life and inspire greater appreciation for the essential value and beauty of the plant world.…

Photo of Houston Botanic Garden Houston Botanic Garden
(713) 715-9675

Purpose: To establish and sustain a premier botanic garden to promote public appreciation and understanding of plants, gardens, and conservation of the natural world through education and scientific enquiry. Through discovery, education and the conservation of plants and the natural environment, the HBG aims to enrich lives, serve as a model for sustainability, and inspire all who visit to become environmental stewards.…

Photo of Nature Discovery Center Nature Discovery Center
(713) 667-6550

Purpose: To ignite life-long curiosity, understanding, and respect for nature through education.

Programs: Year –round classes and camps for 3 – 10 year olds; on and off-site programs for schools: field trips, science exhibit loans, teacher professional development; in-class live animal presentations; in-class, hands-on Science on the Go! Lesson for 3rd-5th graders; scout advancement programs and birthday party live animal programs.…

Photo of Friends of Don Greene Friends of Don Greene

Purpose:  Engage. Educate. Empower. Providing opportunities for young people to learn about our environment and 21st Century Stewardship through engaging them, and providing knowledge and skills that empower them.  

Programs: Conservation projects, scout merit badges, science teacher training, afternoon story time, hands-on student ecosystem lessons in the one-acre Don Greene Nature Park.…

Photo of Houston Zoo Wildlife Conservation Program Houston Zoo Wildlife Conservation Program
(713) 533-6500

Purpose: Our mission is to make the Houston Zoo a leader in conservation as it relates to the survival of threatened wildlife, wise use of natural resources, and the appreciation of our natural world by zoo visitors.

Publications: Members quarterly Wildlife Magazine.

Major Events: Conservation Gala, Call of the Wild Speakers Series, Earth Day, Feast with the Beasts, Zoobilee, Zoo Boo, Spotlight on Species Weekends.…

Photo of Texas Community Watershed Partners Texas Community Watershed Partners
(281) 218-0570

Purpose: To provide education and outreach to local governments and citizens on the impacts of land use on watershed health and water quality.

Major Events: Workshops, Seminars, Conferences, Courses, and Classes.

Volunteer Opportunities: Restoration Projects, Conservation Projects, Landscape Installation Projects, and Wetland Workdays.

Publications:   

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Photo of Sheldon State Park and Envir. Learning Center Sheldon State Park and Envir. Learning Center
(281) 456-2800

Purpose: Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center is a 2,800-acre outdoor education and recreation facility located in northeast Harris County. It offers year round adult and family programs and activities as well as field trip opportunities for students of all ages. Beginning in 2003, the park is became an important restoration site for tall grass prairie.…

Photo of Christmas Bay Foundation Christmas Bay Foundation
281.802.3597

Purpose: To promote increased understanding and appreciation of the Christmas Bay Estuarine System and the Texas Gulf Coast; to promote conservation of the natural resources of the Christmas Bay Estuarine System and the Texas Gulf Coast; to contribute to the usefulness of the Bay and its tributaries for recreational and commercial purposes; and to sponsor such activities and events as may contribute to the general welfare of the Christmas Bay Estuarine System and its tributaries.…

Photo of Buffalo Bayou Partnership Buffalo Bayou Partnership
(713) 752-0314

Purpose:Buffalo Bayou Partnership is the Houston non-profit organization revitalizing and transforming Buffalo Bayou, our city’s most significant natural resource. Coordinating the integration of major improvements into the Bayou greenway, the Partnership seeks increased community involvement through pedestrian, boating and biking amenities, art installations, and other natural and built attractions. Major Events: Buffalo Bayou Regatta, kayak tours, history hikes, walk tours, bat tours, Second Saturday Boat cruises, Twilight tours, Seasonal Cruises, Nights on Blue Bayou events along the Sabine Promenade.…

Photo of Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy
(713) 729-1122

Purpose: Founded in 2001, the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy (WWGC) partners with the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department to enhance the 280 acre Willow Waterhole Park as a native plant and wildlife area and a passive recreational green space.

Programs: Music in park performances, movies in park screenings, conservation volunteer work days on the second saturday of each month, monthly bird surveys on the third saturday of each month by Houston Audubon Society, and free environmental education series for kids and families.…

Photo of Big Thicket Association Big Thicket Association
(409) 790-5399

Purpose: The Big Thicket Association’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the Big Thicket region, its natural resources and cultural history, for enjoyment and well-being of present and future generations through advocacy, education, and research.

Major Programs: Neches River Adventures - a three tiered program that conducts (Tier 1) outdoor classes, (Tier 2) public and (Tier 3) private eco-history tours aboard the Ivory Bill and on the Neches River.…

Photo of Houston History Archives (UH-HHA) Houston History Archives (UH-HHA)
(713) 743-9750

Purpose: Founded 2005 as part of the Houston History Project (now the Welcome Wilson Houston History Collaborative), UH Center for Public History, UH-HHA is a public repository for books, documents, oral histories, and images related to the Houston region’s growth and development from 19th century to present. Particular areas of collection interest include energy development, environmental history and activism, and documentation of Houston’s ethnic diversity and activism.…

Photo of Friends of Mandell Park Friends of Mandell Park
(713) 524-4285

Purpose: The Friends of Mandell Park, a nonprofit Texas Corporation, was formed in August 2004 to improve, protect and assist in the maintenance of the City of Houston’s Mandell Park.

Publications: Newsletter, Informational Brochure

Programs: Organic Gardening in Meredith Gardens, Outdoor Movies, Exhibition Prairie.…

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The CEC has a searchable, web-based version of the Environmental Resource Guide. You may also download older versions of the printed guide below.

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