Get dirty helping grow the Bay!

The Gessner Center is Galveston Bay Foundation’s new visitor hub in Kemah, TX. It will be home to our aquatic nursery program—where we grow and prepare wetland plants that are critical to restoring habitat, improving water quality, and supporting the long-term health of Galveston Bay.

As an Aquatic Nursery Volunteer, you will assist GBF staff with hands-on plant care.

Depending on the needs of the nursery, may help with watering, weeding, trimming, shifting plants, repotting wetland plants, and removing algae buildup from nursery ponds.

Some workdays may also include planting in our wetland pools and will be communicated in advance.

If you would like to help rotate or retrieve plants from the aquatic pools, you are encouraged to bring tall rubber boots.

Expect to get dirty and muddy!

Signup on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1194479

By caring for nursery plants that will be used in restoration, you directly support healthier wetlands and a healthier Galveston Bay.

No experience is necessary. Staff will show you everythingyou need to know. Be prepared to walk across uneven terrain. Restrooms will be available onsite.

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join us for a special evening to be energized and inspired - in honor of those who work to protect and share our precious environment!

Celebrate creativity, community, and the planet at our Second Annual World Environment Day Art Reception & Mixer! ðŸŒ¿âœ¨

Join Houston’s vibrant environmental community for an inspiring evening honoring the people and organizations working to protect our wild places and wildlife. This year, we’re especially excited to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Citizens' Environmental Coalition, recognizing their decades of leadership in fostering collaboration and connection across the region. We’re honored to welcome CEC Board President Amanda Kuhl, who will share special remarks as the organization marks it's 55 year anniversary! And yes—there will be celebratory cake and refreshments! 🎉

The evening will also feature acclaimed artist and designer Luana Rubin, joining us from Colorado. Known for her powerful textile art and visually stunning quilts, Luana’s work brings attention to critical issues including human rights, environmental justice, and wildlife conservation. In honor of World Environment Day 2026’s theme, “urgent climate action,” she’ll present her talk, “Art & Activism,” and showcase a curated selection of her pieces.

Come mingle, be inspired, and celebrate the intersection of art and environmental action—we can’t wait to see you there! 🌎💚

For more info about the artist and her work and to reserve a spot:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-environment-day-2026-artist-talk-and-reception-tickets-1986849847378?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
 

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

• 3-day hands-on lessons to learn techniques and curriculum for using your school garden and outdoor classroom as exciting educational tools. Participants will explore basic and easy-to-grow fruit trees, veggies, flowers, and herbs for school and youth gardens; how to plant a 'guild,' or a grouping of plants that provide a mutually beneficial relationship; and how to forage and harvest the ingredients for a springtime salad.
  
  
  All participants will receive a complimentary copy of the 2019 Urban Harvest School Gardening Guide.
  6/25/2026, Thursday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  6/26/2026, Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  6/27/2026, Saturday, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
  
  Participants are required to attended all 3 days of the workshop.

Bringing neighbors together in the Heights for an afternoon of:

• Local food and drink
• Live music
• Small business vendors
• Community organizations
• Family-friendly activities
• Trail connections and neighborhood pride

The festival celebrates the walkable, bikeable spirit of the Heights and the vibrant community along the 11th Street corridor.

For more info and tickets: https://ilove11th.org/

In celebration of the upcoming Global Wind Day, learn about offshore wind energy and celebrate the power and potential of this resource to build a healthier, more resilient future for Texas! 

As climate change accelerates, the need for a transition to renewable energy resources, like responsibly developed offshore wind energy, offers a promising path forward. Offshore wind energy can help Texas meet rising energy demand, create jobs, and do so in an environmentally responsible way that establishes clear protections for wildlife and habitats.

Link to register:
Celebrate Global Wind Day Livestream · National Wildlife Federation

Join the National Wildlife Federation’s Offshore Wind Energy Program and our partners to celebrate the progress we’ve made building offshore wind responsibly, despite the serious political headwinds. You’ll hear from experts about the successful projects operating in the Northeast, the economic benefits and opportunities for good paying jobs in the American-made supply chain, and why offshore wind is so important for protecting wildlife and communities from the threats of climate change.

The presentation will feature a screening of National Wildlife Federation’s film, Coast to Coast, exploring the important ideas that are shaping the responsible development of offshore wind in the US.

Featured Speakers Include:
Liz Klein, Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the Biden Administration
Helen Rose Patterson, Senior Campaign Manager, Offshore Wind Energy, National Wildlife Federation
Nancy Pyne, Senior Advisor, Offshore Wind & Renewable Energy, Sierra Club
Kathleen Meil, Local Clean Energy Deployment Director, League of Conservation Voters

Photo courtesy of NWF, Lindsey Kuczera NWF

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Everyone is welcome.

Free parking in the garage. Enter the garage from Feagan St.
Please do not park in any of the reserved spots in the garage and do not park in the lot across the street. There are four levels in the UW parking garage. Enter from the first level through the glass doors to the main entrance and reception area.
There is Metro bus access via the #40 bus o Waugh Dr/ South Heights Blvd. or the #85 bus on Washington Ave.

Why Do So Many Houston Area Streams Run from West to East?

Having paddled canoes and kayaks on Houston’s waterways for some time, Tom Douglas had noticed that many of them flow from west to east. Many of the world’s rivers must make detours on their way to the sea, but why have so many of ours veered off to the east at places where their southward path toward the Gulf appears to have been blocked? After considerable reading and consulting with a couple of bona fide fluvial geomorphologists, he learned the answer.

Along with water, rivers also carry sediment. How this sediment is moved around and eventually deposited can have many effects, both in the short term and the long term. In our region, these processes have posted many “left turn only” signs for streams as they work their way to the south. We will also see how a story that began several million years ago continues to influence our daily lives.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Saturday, June 13, 2026, 8:30 am, the Houston Sierra Club will visit and enjoy wetlands, wildflowers, ponds, and walking trails at Exploration Green. Exploration Green is 200 acres of parkland that used to be a golf course. The 200 acres have been turned into a green space for flood control, recreation (hike/bike trails), and wildlife observation.

The link below has the Sierra Club participant sign-in agreement/liability waiver. Read this before the outing. We’ll sign-in quickly at Exploration Green and proceed with the outing. [Sign-Up Sheet 2-2020.pdf (sierraclub.org)](https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/range-of-light-group/PDFs/Sign-Up%20Sheet%202-2020.pdf)

If anyone has COVID symptoms or is sick don’t come! We want everyone to be safe. Going on this outing you’ll be with individuals who are vaccinated or unvaccinated. It’s your choice to participate on this outing.

Bring your daypack, 2 qts of water, umbrella (it will be hot), lunch money, hat, sunscreen, camera, and field guides. Wear clothes and shoes that are comfortable and cool. We will eat lunch at a nearby restaurant after we finish walking. This outing is limited to 20 people. No pets, firearms, or radios. We’ll put cell phones on vibrate and enjoy the solitude/quiet/natural sounds of Exploration Green.
 

For those who want to carpool/caravan we’ll meet at 7:30 am in the parking lot just west of Starbucks in Meyerland Plaza. I have a gray Honda CRV hybrid (WMP 3632) and will be parked just west of Starbucks. My phone number is 281-570-7212. Don’t’ be late!

Contact your leader, Brandt Mannchen, if you have questions, at the Houston Sierra Club Outings Meet-Up Site or at [brandt_mannchen@comcast.net](mailto:brandt_mannchen@comcast.net). Directions to Exploration Green are:

1. Go S on I-45 and exit at Bay Area Blvd.
2. Turn lt (east) onto Bay Area Blvd and go to El Camino Real.
3. Turn lt (north) onto El Camino Real and go 1 block to Ramada Dr.
4. Turn rt onto Ramada Dr, go 2 blocks, turn lt onto Diana Ln.
5. Go about 1 block and turn into the parking lot at 16306 Diana Ln.

• Rain Barrels 
• Biowales
• Living Shorelines
• Native Plants 
• Solar Pumps
• Permeable Parking 

• Viewing Aquatic Animals 
• Trails Walks 
• Hands-on Booths
• Expert Speakers
• Local Partners
• Free Italian ice! 

• Herbs do more than taste good in a cup, they interact with our nervous system, digestion, and stress response in very specific ways. In this fun hands-on workshop, we’ll explore a small group of plants and talk about actions like:
  
  - nervines (herbs that support the nervous system)
  - carminatives (herbs that ease digestion)
  - gentle adaptogens (herbs that help the body respond to stress)
  
  We will discuss these herbs in clear, down-to-earth language. Through story and sensory play, each person will choose the plants that resonate with them and blend a small loose-leaf tea to take home, along with simple guidelines for using it safely and intentionally.
  
  PRESENTER:
  Jessica Jackson is a wellness coach and herbalist at Elijah Broke The Gate LLC, where she is also the founder. She is also the co-founder of Jesse's House.
  
  Registration Fee: $20
  
  If you cannot attend the class as scheduled, there are no refunds or substitutions.
  
  Registration will close 24 hours prior to most classes and 48 hours before all Sunday classes.
  
  Contact Kim Perry at kim@urbanharvest.org for any questions.

Join AliefVotes and District F for the 4th Annual AliefVotes Youth Conference, our biggest event of the year for all ages.

Please share this post with friends and family. Free lunch, ice cream, and raffles for all!

 

Keynote Speakers: Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, and Commissioner Dexter McCoy.

Who can come: Anyone! Over 20 organizations will be tabling on-site.

RSVP: tinyurl.com/alief-2026

Get dirty helping grow the Bay!

The Gessner Center is Galveston Bay Foundation’s new visitor hub in Kemah, TX. It will be home to our aquatic nursery program—where we grow and prepare wetland plants that are critical to restoring habitat, improving water quality, and supporting the long-term health of Galveston Bay.

As an Aquatic Nursery Volunteer, you will assist GBF staff with hands-on plant care.

Depending on the needs of the nursery, may help with watering, weeding, trimming, shifting plants, repotting wetland plants, and removing algae buildup from nursery ponds.

Some workdays may also include planting in our wetland pools and will be communicated in advance.

If you would like to help rotate or retrieve plants from the aquatic pools, you are encouraged to bring tall rubber boots.

Expect to get dirty and muddy!

Signup on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1194479

By caring for nursery plants that will be used in restoration, you directly support healthier wetlands and a healthier Galveston Bay.

No experience is necessary. Staff will show you everythingyou need to know. Be prepared to walk across uneven terrain. Restrooms will be available onsite.

Make Wednesdays count for the coast
Join a growing community of volunteers who are restoring and caring for Galveston Bay’s habitats. Work alongside staff and fellow volunteers at our Gessner Center and see the impact of your efforts week by week.

This is a hands-on stewardship role where you will build practical skills, spend time outdoors, and be part of a team making visible progress each week.

As a Coastal Care Volunteer, you will:

• Plant native species, remove overgrowth, and maintain habitat areas
• Use hand tools and assist with safe, organized fieldwork
• Help prepare and move tools, plants, and materials
• Learn directly from staff about coastal ecosystems and restoration

No experience needed. We provide all training, tools, and guidance. Just show up ready to help!

Restrooms and wifi available onsite. All tools and supplies provided. Minors (16+) welcome with a registered adult chaperone.

This role involves outdoor work in sun, mud, and uneven terrain. Review heat safety guidelines here.

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Kick off Bayou Preservation Association’s Neighborhood Resilience Network Series with our Yard Waste Workshop— the first event in a three-part series designed to equip Houstonians with practical tools for creating more sustainable homes and greener communities.

Led by Master Gardener Robin Kendrick-Yates, this hands-on workshop will teach you how to turn everyday yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. Discover how composting transforms organic materials into healthy soil that supports plant growth, improves moisture retention, and reduces landfill waste.

Participants will take part in building a compost system and gain real-world insights into how simple, at-home practices can strengthen Houston’s gardens and local ecosystems.

This is the first of three free Saturday workshops (June–August), each focusing on different aspects of holistic water sustainability. All events are open to the public and include engaging activities and take-home materials (while supplies last).

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Become a Certified Texas Stream Team Water Quality Monitor

Help protect the health of Galveston Bay by collecting reliable, long-term water quality data. Through this hands-on, full-day training, you’ll gain the skills needed to monitor tidally influenced waters using Texas Stream Team Standard Core protocols.

You’ll work alongside experienced staff to learn classroom and field sampling methods used statewide to track the health of Texas waters, while becoming part of a network of volunteers committed to clean water.

No prior experience required. Supplies and materials are provided. Participants should be prepared for both indoor and outdoor instruction, short walks between locations, and a commitment to monthly monitoring after certification.

Be prepared to help set up the room for training and for an orientation on the flow of the day.

This training takes place on Galveston Bay Foundation’s campus in the first building on the left. Restrooms and indoor classroom facilities are available onsite. Carpooling is encouraged.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Discover the hidden seasonal rhythms of nature firsthand on our guided Phenology Walks, where we track the life cycles of different plants across ecosystems, from the first spring bud burst to winter dormancy. You’ll learn how shifting weather patterns and climate change influence the timing of these important events in our local ecosystems and how you can become a community scientist, contributing vital data from your own backyard to a global research initiative.

These relaxing morning walks are led by scientists from Rice University and staff from the Arboretum. We welcome nature enthusiasts of all ages, however kids 12 years and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Learn more about the study of phenology and ways you can contribute at https://www.usanpn.org/nn

 

Free, donations appreciated
All ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Meet in front of the Nature Center building

Visit ayw.givepulse.com to sign up. 

American Youthworks Texas Conservation Corps (TXCC) is hosting a Green Wave Clean-Up Event on Saturday, June 27, at Blackhawk Park from 10am to noon. See the event signup page for details.

This event is part of our ongoing Green Wave Initiative. Led by TXCC participants, the Green Wave Initiative combines community cleanup events with environmental education. Come pick up litter with us! Attend our events to help improve neighborhood health, reduce flood hazards and illegal waste disposal, and to enhance green space accessibility.

• All ages are welcome!

• Closed shoes are required

• Gloves, grabbers, and safety vests are provided

• Pants are recommended

Reach out to our coordination team by emailing GreenWave@ayw.org if you have any questions.

Please sign up so we know to expect you!

Get dirty helping grow the Bay!

The Gessner Center is Galveston Bay Foundation’s new visitor hub in Kemah, TX. It will be home to our aquatic nursery program—where we grow and prepare wetland plants that are critical to restoring habitat, improving water quality, and supporting the long-term health of Galveston Bay.

As an Aquatic Nursery Volunteer, you will assist GBF staff with hands-on plant care.

Depending on the needs of the nursery, may help with watering, weeding, trimming, shifting plants, repotting wetland plants, and removing algae buildup from nursery ponds.

Some workdays may also include planting in our wetland pools and will be communicated in advance.

If you would like to help rotate or retrieve plants from the aquatic pools, you are encouraged to bring tall rubber boots.

Expect to get dirty and muddy!

Signup on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1194479

By caring for nursery plants that will be used in restoration, you directly support healthier wetlands and a healthier Galveston Bay.

No experience is necessary. Staff will show you everythingyou need to know. Be prepared to walk across uneven terrain. Restrooms will be available onsite.

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Join Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) monthly meeting of our 2026 Working Groups: Built for Resilience and Resource & Data Hub.

These collaborative working groups bring together community members, nonprofits, government representatives, researchers, students, and sustainability professionals to help advance practical resilience solutions for Greater Houston.

Through advocacy, education, partnerships, and program development, participants are working to advance three key regional priorities:

• Nature-based solutions for climate resilience
• Circular economy and resource efficiency initiatives
• Resilient energy and water infrastructure

Whether you are deeply involved in sustainability work or simply interested in contributing your ideas, expertise, and community perspective, all are welcome.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Visit ayw.givepulse.com to sign up. 

American Youthworks Texas Conservation Corps (TXCC) is hosting a Green Wave Clean-Up Event on Saturday, July 11, at Hidalgo Park from 10am to noon. 

This event is part of our ongoing Green Wave Initiative. Led by TXCC participants, the Green Wave Initiative combines community cleanup events with environmental education. Come pick up litter with us! Attend our events to help improve neighborhood health, reduce flood hazards and illegal waste disposal, and to enhance green space accessibility.

• All ages are welcome!

• Closed shoes are required

• Gloves, grabbers, and safety vests are provided

• Pants are recommended

Reach out to our coordination team by emailing GreenWave@ayw.org if you have any questions.

Please sign up so we know to expect you!

Get dirty helping grow the Bay!

The Gessner Center is Galveston Bay Foundation’s new visitor hub in Kemah, TX. It will be home to our aquatic nursery program—where we grow and prepare wetland plants that are critical to restoring habitat, improving water quality, and supporting the long-term health of Galveston Bay.

As an Aquatic Nursery Volunteer, you will assist GBF staff with hands-on plant care.

Depending on the needs of the nursery, may help with watering, weeding, trimming, shifting plants, repotting wetland plants, and removing algae buildup from nursery ponds.

Some workdays may also include planting in our wetland pools and will be communicated in advance.

If you would like to help rotate or retrieve plants from the aquatic pools, you are encouraged to bring tall rubber boots.

Expect to get dirty and muddy!

Signup on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1194479

By caring for nursery plants that will be used in restoration, you directly support healthier wetlands and a healthier Galveston Bay.

No experience is necessary. Staff will show you everythingyou need to know. Be prepared to walk across uneven terrain. Restrooms will be available onsite.

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC) monthly meeting of our 2026 Working Groups: Built for Resilience and Resource & Data Hub.

These collaborative working groups bring together community members, nonprofits, government representatives, researchers, students, and sustainability professionals to help advance practical resilience solutions for Greater Houston.

Through advocacy, education, partnerships, and program development, participants are working to advance three key regional priorities:

• Nature-based solutions for climate resilience
• Circular economy and resource efficiency initiatives
• Resilient energy and water infrastructure

Whether you are deeply involved in sustainability work or simply interested in contributing your ideas, expertise, and community perspective, all are welcome.

Casual lunch will be provided.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Harness the power of rain and turn every drop into a resource for your home and your community.

Join Bayou Preservation Association’s Neighborhood Resilience Network Series with our Rainwater Harvesting Workshop—part of a three-part series designed to equip Houstonians with practical tools for creating more sustainable homes and resilient communities.

Led by Master Gardener Teresa See, this hands-on workshop will teach you how to capture and reuse rainwater to reduce runoff, conserve water, and support the health of Houston’s bayous. Learn how rainwater harvesting can improve your landscape, increase water efficiency, and promote long-term sustainability at home.

Participants will gain practical skills in assembling a rain barrel system and will leave with the confidence to set up this solution in their own backyard.

This is one of three free Saturday workshops (June–August), each focusing on different aspects of holistic water sustainability. All events are open to the public and feature engaging activities and take-home resources (while supplies last).

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/
 

Discover the hidden seasonal rhythms of nature firsthand on our guided Phenology Walks, where we track the life cycles of different plants across ecosystems, from the first spring bud burst to winter dormancy. You’ll learn how shifting weather patterns and climate change influence the timing of these important events in our local ecosystems and how you can become a community scientist, contributing vital data from your own backyard to a global research initiative.

These relaxing morning walks are led by scientists from Rice University and staff from the Arboretum. We welcome nature enthusiasts of all ages, however kids 12 years and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Learn more about the study of phenology and ways you can contribute at https://www.usanpn.org/nn

 

Free, donations appreciated
All ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Meet in front of the Nature Center building

The Witness Series is Artist Lead, Nature Centered and Community Driven. It is led by Kristi Rangel, Houston-based multi-disciplinary artist and education advocate. This year, the Witness Series is excited to celebrate its fifth year of being community together. This year’s Witness Series will explore the many profound experiences that Communities of Color have in the Land of Southeast Texas and along our waterways. The Witness Series is co-curated in partnership with artists from the Native American, African American, Latinx, Pacific Islander and Asian communities. Every Witness experience is designed to bring communities together through the power of nature and provide historically underserved communities with greater access to nature-based opportunities.  Attendees become co-authors, editors and observers as they take part in these participatory public art experiences centered around green spaces and environmental equity.

The 5th year of the Witness Series will be explored through the artistry and lens of Tomii Culmer. We will Bear Witness to the power of community building and artmarking in green spaces through her photos.

Kristi Rangel created the Witness Series, in 2021 in collaboration with Jaime González, a Houston-based conservationist because of their shared belief that environmental justice is a basic human right.

Get dirty helping grow the Bay!

The Gessner Center is Galveston Bay Foundation’s new visitor hub in Kemah, TX. It will be home to our aquatic nursery program—where we grow and prepare wetland plants that are critical to restoring habitat, improving water quality, and supporting the long-term health of Galveston Bay.

As an Aquatic Nursery Volunteer, you will assist GBF staff with hands-on plant care.

Depending on the needs of the nursery, may help with watering, weeding, trimming, shifting plants, repotting wetland plants, and removing algae buildup from nursery ponds.

Some workdays may also include planting in our wetland pools and will be communicated in advance.

If you would like to help rotate or retrieve plants from the aquatic pools, you are encouraged to bring tall rubber boots.

Expect to get dirty and muddy!

Signup on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1194479

By caring for nursery plants that will be used in restoration, you directly support healthier wetlands and a healthier Galveston Bay.

No experience is necessary. Staff will show you everythingyou need to know. Be prepared to walk across uneven terrain. Restrooms will be available onsite.

Grow native plants. Restore the prairie.

At the GBF EcoCenter Greenhouse, staff and volunteers cultivate native plants to restore and manage coastal tallgrass prairie across the Galveston Bay region.

Every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00–11:00 AM, volunteers work in the nursery to support one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. This work helps create habitat for wildlife and strengthens natural flood protection.

NOTE: Saturday shifts are currently postponed until further notice. We hope to resume shifts as soon possible and will be sure to send out an email when they resume.

As a Nursery Volunteer, you will:

• Weed and pot plants
• Mix soil and rotate plants
• Clean and sort seeds
• Assist with seasonal nursery maintenance

No experience is necessary; we will show you what to do!

Sign-up on our volunteer portal: https://volunteer.galvbay.org/need/detail/?need_id=1103759

Your time in the nursery helps grow native plants that restore habitat, support wildlife, and protect communities around Galveston Bay.

Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership at Waugh Drive Bridge for a Bat Chat with the Houston Area Bat Team and see the bat colony up close!
 
Did you know? These population of Mexican Free-tailed Bats at the Waugh Bridge can reach a peak of approximately 300,000 in the summer months! Around sunset, the colony leaves the crevices beneath the bridge and create a whirlwind-like formation as they emerge. Join the Houston Area Bat Team to learn and discover as they share fun, educational facts and insights about these miniature, flying mammals!
Invite your family and friends, bring a picnic blanket, wear your bug spray, and admire this unique phenomena.
 
Bat Chats are held every Friday evening from May to August as part of our Summer Species series, starting 30 minutes before sunset

Free to attend
More info: https://buffalobayou.org/summer-species-bats/