Environmental Resource Guide

Photo of Center for Houston’s Future Center for Houston’s Future
(713) 844-9325

Purpose: Center for Houston’s Future (CHF) works to address matters of highest importance to the long-term future of the greater Houston region, by engaging diverse leaders, providing impactful research, and defining actionable strategies. The Center for Houston’s Future furthers the Houston region as a top global community in which to work and live.…

Photo of Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Inc. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, Inc.
(979) 480-0999

Purpose: To protect birds and their habitats around the Gulf of Mexico.

Programs: Land protection, Site Partner Network, Research, Educational Outreach, Tropical Forest Forever Fund. Field Trips are available for your school group. Call office for booking information. Coastal Wildbird Trunk – educational resources for primary and secondary age students

Major Events: Birdies for the Birds, Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza, Smith Point Hawk Watch, Monthly Bird Banding, Quintana Spring Fling.…

Photo of Scenic Galveston Scenic Galveston
(979) 234-2096

Purpose: A volunteer membership service organization dedicated to creating land trusts of scenic habitat conservation preserves currently at 6,000 acres. Includes permanent protection and restoration of the 1,058-acre John M. O’Quinn I-45 Scenic Estuarial Corridor, the natural marsh gateway to Galveston; the contiguous 1,840 acres of native coastal prairie and wetland habitat on the Virginia Point Peninsula Preserve, and 3,000+ acres as stewards of conservation easement prairies/wetlands on north West Galveston Bay.…

Photo of Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Citizens’ Environmental Coalition
713-524-4232

Purpose: CEC works to connect our environmental community. Our mission is to foster education, dialogue, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston/Gulf Coast region.

Photo of Keep Kingwood Green Keep Kingwood Green
(713) 206-0558 (please leave a message)

Purpose: To educate and advocate for recycling in the Lake Houston area (and other issues as appropriate). Non-profit 501c3, all volunteer organization. Major Projects: Participation in Kleenwood, Nature Fest, YMCA events, Kingwood Farmers Market, and other recycling events in the area. We work with the City of Houston, Humble ISD and other governmental units to facilitate and educate about recycling.

Photo of EarthShare of Texas EarthShare of Texas
(512) 472-5518

Purpose: Through collaborative fundraising and partnership building, EarthShare of Texas empowers mission-driven members to pursue positive environmental and health impacts across the Lone Star State for the benefit of all.

We support more than 40 of the most respected conservation and environmental organizations in Texas.  From air quality to wildlife rehabilitation to the development of green building technology, our members work to protect our environment.…

Photo of Shell Center for Sustainability at Rice U Shell Center for Sustainability at Rice U

Purpose: The Shell Center for Sustainability’s mission is to foster an interdisciplinary program of research, outreach, and education to address actions that can be taken to ensure the sustainable development of communities’ living standards, interpreted broadly, to encompass all factors affecting the overall quality of life. In our Vision, the Shell Center for Sustainability is the regional expert in Gulf Coast sustainable development by fostering academic research, outreach and education initiatives in interdisciplinary partnerships and through collaborations that extend outreach from the Florida Keys to the Yucatan Peninsula with strong focus in the Houston and Galveston Region.…

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:   

  • Can Houston Feed Itself?
Photo of Levy Park Conservancy Levy Park Conservancy
(713) 522-7275

Purpose: Levy Park is a six acre public green space in the Upper Kirby District which recently reopened after a $15 million renovation for the purpose of creating an entertainment and recreation destination for the immediate community and for the people of Greater Houston. The Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority in partnership with the Upper Kirby District Foundation, funded the renovation and Levy Park’s many public amenities.…

Photo of Houston Peace and Justice Center Houston Peace and Justice Center
(713) 900-4752

Purpose: The Houston Peace and Justice Center provides networks and resources for organizations and individuals to advance peace and social justice.

Programs: Links and resources to various social justice movements happening in the area.

Volunteer Opportunities: Fill out an application online to become a volunteer.…

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 Student Conservation Association Student Conservation Association
(713) 520-1835

Purpose: To build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.

Programs: A year-round volunteer program and a paid summer job opportunity for high school students, each featuring hands-on outdoor service learning, camping and outdoor recreation.…

Photo of Exploration Green Conservancy Exploration Green Conservancy
(281) 317-7535

The Exploration Green Conservancy, Inc. (EGC) has been formed and incorporated to develop, preserve and protect the land known as Exploration Green (EG).  This area was purchased by the Clear Lake City Water Authority (CLCWA) for use as a storm water detention area: the CLCWA created a Master Plan for the area and initially sponsored the formation of the EGC.…

Photo of Blueprint Houston Blueprint Houston
(713) 522-0590

Purpose: To promote the evolution and implementation of Plan Houston as the basis for planning the City’s future. Blueprint Houston serves as a resource and catalyst for better long-term planning for Houston’s future growth and development.

Blueprint Houston was founded in 2003 to build community support for a coordinated planning process to make improvements to Houston’s quality of life.…

Photo of Native Plant Society of TX – Hou Chapter Native Plant Society of TX – Hou Chapter

Purpose: The mission of The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) is to promote research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach, and example.

Meetings: 7:00 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m., the 3rd Thurs. of each month, Nov. Social & Seed & Plant Swap, Dec. holiday dinner, Jan.…

Photo of Houston Parks and Recreation Department Houston Parks and Recreation Department
(832) 395-7000

Purpose: To enhance the quality of urban life by providing safe, well-maintained parks and offering affordable programs for the community.

Major Events:

Jan – Arbor Day; Youth Tennis classes begin
Feb – Salt Grass Trail Ride; Adult sports leagues begin
Mar – Tour de Houston, Metal & Muscle Expo; Lake Houston Wilderness
Apr – Houston Children’s Festival, Japan ­Festival, Houston International Festival
May – Challenge Day, Summer Pool Opening
June – Summer Food Program begins, Golf Tourn; Hershey Track & Field Meet
Jul – Freedom Over Texas; Houston Pops July 4th Celebration
Oct – Asian-American Festival; Wildflower seed planting
Nov – Via Colori
Dec – Heritage Society Candlelight Tour, Holiday Tree Lighting
Year round – Lake Houston Park Nature Center events
School year – After School Enrichment Program

Volunteer Opportunities: Oneika McCarthy
(832) 395-7030 oneika.peters@houstontx.gov

Publications: Activities Catalog – Winter/Spring Issue Dec 1, Summer Issue
Apr 1, and Fall Issue Aug 1.…

Photo of City of Houston – Resilience and Sustainability Office City of Houston – Resilience and Sustainability Office
(832)393-8504

Purpose: The Resilience & Sustainability Office is responsible for implementing Resilient Houston and the Houston Climate Action Plan. Together, these documents provide a clear framework to foster the growth of a Houston that is both a healthy place to live and an equitable, inclusive, and affordable city that leads in climate mitigation and adaptation and offers a transformative economy that builds forward.

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 American Institute of Chemical Engineers, South Texas Local Section American Institute of Chemical Engineers, South Texas Local Section

Purpose: To support the membership’s technical objectives through education, service, and fellowship.

Meetings: First Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m., Sept. through June. Please check the website for speaker, location, and topic.

Programs: Continuing education workshops at monthly meetings, which include environmental and process safety.

Major Events: Cosponsor Energy Conservation Forum with Texas Industries of the Future twice per year.…

Photo of Latino Outdoors Houston Latino Outdoors Houston

Latino Outdoors (LO) Houston is part of a nationwide community led by volunteers. A chapter of LO can be found in many major cities across the United States. Our mission is to inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.…

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

Archived Resource Guides