• 713-524-4CEC (4232)
  • info@cechouston.org

Environmental Resource Guide

Photo of Children’s Museum of Houston’s EcoStation Children’s Museum of Houston’s EcoStation
(713) 522-1138

Purpose: Founded in 1981 to transform communities through innovative, and child-centered learning.
The Houston region has one of the largest child populations in the United States and Children’s Museum Houston serves an audience of more than 1 million children and families each year. Children’s Museum Houston is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that relies on private and public contributions.…

Photo of Citizens’ Climate Lobby 3rd Coast Region Citizens’ Climate Lobby 3rd Coast Region
+1 619-437-7142

Purpose: To build political will for Congress to act on climate change.

Program: Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.

Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations.…

Photo of Energy Corridor District Energy Corridor District
(281) 759-3800

Purpose: To promote, develop, maintain, and enhance the Energy Corridor District through implementation of projects, services, and initiatives in the realm of public safety, transportation and mobility, infrastructure, streetscape, and economic development. Through active leadership, advocacy, and collaborative efforts, the District works to accelerate area improvements for long-term economic vitality.

Meetings: Second Friday of each month in ECD office 14701 St.…

Photo of Houston Audubon Society Houston Audubon Society
(713) 932-1639 Headquarters/Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

Purpose: To advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments. Founded in 1969.

Meetings: with speakers are held the second Thursday of alternate school months: Sept, Nov, Jan, March, & May at United Way Center at 50 Waugh Drive. See website for details. Houston Audubon Nature Photography Association (HANPA) meetings: Third Wednesdays of each month, Sept-May, 7 p.m., HAS headquarters.…

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 Arboretum and Nature Center Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
(713)-681-8433

Purpose: To provide education about the natural environment to people of all ages and to protect and enhance the Arboretum as a haven and as a sanctuary for native plants and animals. Programs: Adult classes on nature, wildlife, art, photography, food and wine, and more. We also offer family programs, special events, Memberships, private group tours, guided nature hikes, citizen science opportunities, a Nature Shop, and rentals.…

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.…

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 Sierra Club – Hou. Regional Group Sierra Club – Hou. Regional Group

Purpose: To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth’s ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

Meetings: Second Thurs., 7:30 p.m., St.…

Photo of City of Houston Environmental Health Division City of Houston Environmental Health Division

Purpose: HDHHS’ Environmental Health Services division provides a variety of programs and services relating to air and water pollution, occupational health and food establishments.

 

Patrick Key, Assistant Director
webadmin@houstontx.gov

Stephen Williams
Houston Health Department Director
(832)393-5169

Photo of Houston-Galveston Area Council Houston-Galveston Area Council
(713) 627-3200

Purpose: The Houston-Galveston Area Council is a region-wide voluntary association of local governments in the 13-county Gulf Coast Planning region of Texas. H-GAC’s mission is to serve as the instrument of local government cooperation, promoting the region’s orderly development and the safety and welfare of its citizens. Key governmental services include transportation planning, disaster resiliency, cooperative purchasing, homeland security, workforce development, air and water quality planning, forecasting, and mapping.

Photo of University of Houston: Office of Sustainability University of Houston: Office of Sustainability
(832)-842-9051

Purpose: The University of Houston Office of Sustainability serves as the hub for campus sustainability efforts. Engaging the campus and community, the office fosters collaboration and educates individuals about social, economic and environmental factors that impact today’s society and generations to come. On-campus sustainability initiatives include academic programs and research, educational events, the campus community garden, single-stream recycling, water bottle refill stations, renewable energy use, sustainable transportation, green building and more.…

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 Citizens’ Transportation Coalition Citizens’ Transportation Coalition
(832) 768-5258

Purpose: Founded in 2004, the CTC is an all-volunteer grassroots transportation advocacy organization. The Citizens’ Transportation Coalition advocates for a broad-based public educational and planning process to identify neighborhood aspirations, influences projects to achieve the best transportation options, and engages our communities in designing a complete multimodal transportation system that serves us all.

Dexter Handy, Chair
drhandy@aol.com

Carol Caul, Advocacy Chair
Ed Browne, Science and Technology Chair

Photo of American Institute of Architects, Houston American Institute of Architects, Houston
(713) 520-0155

Purpose: To promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the architecture profession; to advance the science and art of planning and building; to coordinate the building industry and the profession of architecture; to ensure the advancement of the living standard of people and to make the profession one of ever-increasing service to society.…

Photo of State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR)
(512) 828-6409

Purpose: To advance recycling through partnerships, education, and advocacy for the benefit of Texas.

Major Events: Annual Texas Recycling Summit– September 9-11, 2019 at the El Tropicano Hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

Texas Compost Summit– will take place October 2019. Date and location TBD.

Publications:  STAR is helping Texans to learn more about the recycling industry through free informational webinars and quarterly e-newsletters.…

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 Bayou Preservation Association, Inc. Bayou Preservation Association, Inc.
(713) 529-6443

Purpose: To celebrate, protect and restore the natural richness of all our bayous and streams. Founded in 1966 to protect and restore the richness and diversity of our waterways through activism, advocacy, collaboration and education. BPA monitors water quality, plans clean-ups for bayous, restores habitat, reviews permit applications and sponsors seminars on flood reduction.…

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 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.

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