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Local Links for Biodiversity—Houston, Texas
Environmental and Conservation Organizations:
The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter
P.O. Box 131254
Houston, Texas 77219-1254
Phone: 281-558-3710
http://www.npsot.org/houston
The Native Plant Society of Texas - Houston Chapter is dedicated to conservation and restoration of the native plant habitats that are so important to wildlife. NPSOT-H works to achieve its goals through habitat enhancement projects, plant rescues, maintenance of demonstration gardens, seed collecting projects, plant propagation and presentations about biodiversity and native plants. Monthly chapter meetings and seasonal field trips provide excellent opportunities for members and guests to gain information about plants that are native to the Houston area.
Bayou Preservation Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 131563
Houston, TX 77219
Phone: 713-529-6443
www.bayoupreservation.org
The Bayou Preservation Association conserves and protects the Houston area's plentiful bayous, a distinction that has earned Houston the name of "Bayou City." The association sponsors bayou clean-ups, educational programs, and water quality monitoring. The association also offers a "Child's Guide to Houston Hydrology."
BRIDGES to Sustainability
3015 Richmond, Suite 201
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-520-9223
www.bridgestos.org
BRIDGES to Sustainability "builds bridges" with universities, corporations, and communities to create sustainable projects. The organization forms partnerships to develop new forms of sustainable building and business.
Citizens' Environmental Coalition (CEC)
P.O. Box 27579
Houston, TX 77227
Phone: 713-524-4CEC
www.cechouston.org
The CEC serves as an informational resource for environmental issues of particular interest in the Houston/Galveston area. CEC's annually published Environmental Resource Guide provides information on environmental groups and local government bodies. Their newsletter Environmental News Exchange includes a comprehensive calendar of local environmental events.
Environmental Institute of Houston
Bayou Building, Suite 3221
UHCL, Box 540
2700 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, TX 77058
Phone: 281-283-3950
www.eih.uh.edu
Founded in 1991 at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, the institute addresses environmental issues, including the health impacts of pollution and the loss of biodiversity. The institute is service- and research-based, and includes a Public Participation and Outreach Program for the Houston area.
Friends of Hermann Park
Old Clubhouse at Hermann Park
6201 A Golf Course Dr.
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-524-5876
www.hermannpark.org
Hermann Park, considered one of Houston's most historically significant open spaces, is kept beautiful by the Friends of Hermann Park organization. The group funds, manages, and designs major renovations within the park and works with the city of Houston on restoration and education initiatives.
Galveston-Houston Association for Smog Prevention
2476 Bolsover, Box 126
Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-528-3779
www.ghasp.org
This community-based, environmental group is devoted to improving the air quality of the Houston region. The group uses public education, participation in federal planning, and publications to work toward creating clearer skies in Houston.
Garden Club of Houston
4212 San Felipe PMB#486
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713-526-5199
www.gchouston.org
The Garden Club of Houston holds lectures, sponsors flower shows, and encourages the conservation of Houston's natural resources. The garden club's Web site includes a list of "Environmental Tips for the Gardener."
Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
712 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-216-5000
www.ghpa.org
To nurture a sense of community, the alliance is dedicated to appreciating and conserving Houston's historical resources. Current programs include the Good Brick Award, given to people involved in preservation, as well as Historic Walking Tours of neighborhoods, landmarks, and vital sites of Houston's past.
Gulf Coast Institute
2001 Kirby Dr., Suite 515
Houston, TX 77019
Phone: 713-523-5757
www.gulfcoastideas.org
Emphasizing the need for smart growth, the institute encourages livable Houston communities that respect the environment and foster a sense of place. One program of the institute, the 1000 Friends of Houston, is a local fundraising organization dedicated to strengthening the city's smart growth movement.
Houston Audubon Society
440 Wilchester Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079
Phone: 713-932-1639
www.houstonaudubon.org
With the goal of furthering the conservation of wild birds and their habitat, the Houston Audubon Society oversees 15 sanctuaries in the Houston area. Together with the Audubon Docent Guild, the Society sponsors a variety of educational initiatives for children, such as Discover Nature field trips and bird-themed summer camps.
Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG)
809 Shirleen Dr.
Seabrook, TX, 77586
Phone: 281-326-1853
www.txses.org/hreg
The HREG educates Houston communities about renewable energy options, such as solar energy. The organization develops publications, encourages information exchanges, and holds meetings to further the implementation of renewable energy in the Houston area.
Katy Prairie Conservancy
3015 Richmond Ave., Suite 230
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-523-6135
www.katyprairie.org
The Katy Prairie Conservancy is dedicated to protecting the thousand miles of the Texas Coastal Plain that make up the Katy Prairie. The grassland habitats of the prairie are home to the Attwater's prairie chicken, an endangered species, as well as beavers, alligators, bobcats, and coyotes. The conservancy works to achieve its goals through habitat enhancement, seed-planting projects, and purchasing land for preservation.
Keep Houston Beautiful
5909 West Loop South, Suite 670
P.O. Box 460648
Houston, TX 77056
Phone: 713-839-8855
www.houstonbeautiful.org
By reaching out to communities and youth, Keep Houston Beautiful aspires to reduce litter, encourage recycling, and beautify Houston. Keep Houston Beautiful sponsors the Youth Environmental Leadership Conference, enlightens children through the Graffiti Hurts program, and creates environmental curricula for use in local schools.
Mitchell Center for Sustainable Development
4800 Research Forest Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Phone: 281-367-1348
www.harc.edu/mitchellcenter
The Mitchell Center, a program of the Houston Advanced Research Center, works to educate the public about global and local environmental issues through publications and mass media campaigns. Publications include the Houston Corridor Guide to Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development: The Challenge of Transition.
Natural Legacy
P.O. Box 541125
Houston, TX 77254
Phone: 713-590-5193
www.naturallegacy.com
This organization encourages youth involvement in the local environment. For example, through Natural Legacy programs, students are encouraged to develop, lead, and implement their own environmental awareness programs in the community. Natural Legacy also provides a student forum to promote exchange of ideas.
The Park People
P.O. Box 980863
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-942-7275
www.parkpeople.org
Park People is a community organization devoted to preserving open, green spaces in the Houston area. The organization, along with Scenic Houston and Trees for Houston, is involved in implementing TreeScape, a tree-planting and preservation initiative.
Scenic Houston
3015 Richmond, Suite 220
Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-533-9149
www.scenictexas.org
Scenic Houston, a chapter of Scenic Texas, aims to improve and preserve the beauty of Houston's visual environment. The organization increases public awareness through advocacy and education. Scenic Houston designates certain areas of the city as "scenic districts" and establishes partnerships such as TreeScape.
Sierra Club Houston Group
P.O. Box 3021
Houston, TX 77253
Phone: 713-895-9309
Aiming to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet, the Houston branch of the Sierra Club holds meetings, organizes outdoor activities, and offers information to the public on preserving Texan wildlife and places. A recent effort explored ideas for making Houston more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly.
Trees for Houston
P.O. Box 13096
Houston, TX 77219
Phone: 713-840-8733
www.treesforhouston.org
Since 1983, Trees for Houston has planted more than 158,650 trees throughout Houston. The organization heads several reforestation initiatives, such as Neighborhood and Parkway Projects, the Tribute Program, and an educational program for children. All programs focus on the benefits of trees in urban settings, particularly on how trees contribute to a healthy environment.
Wildlife Rehab & Education
PMB 340
2476 Bolsover
Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-643-WILD
www.wrande.org
Created to address the growing need for wildlife rehabilitation, Wildlife Rehab and Education coordinates thousands of animal rescues every year. The organization also offers speakers to educate businesses, civic groups, and schools about the importance of caring for native wildlife.
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