Citizens' Environmental Coalition

Environmental Calendar - Citizens' Environmental Coalition

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This program, which will help participants reduce their carbon footprint by 50%, will work individually with participants online, on dates and times (available spots January - May) that work for both them and the facilitator. To find days and days that work for you, sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975018418255

Scientists tell us that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 (vs. a 2010
baseline), and that 25 – 30% of all needed emissions reductions must come from
individuals/households. 50% may seem like a very high hurdle. But, it translates to only a 10%/year
reduction, starting now. And, you may have already made some lifestyle improvements since 2010 that
reduced your emissions, so you could already be well on your way toward the 50% reduction goal.

Participants in this individualized course will leave with a personal plan to achieve the 50% emissions
reduction goal through targeted lifestyle improvements that will also save them money. The course was
developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multi-faith statement, inspired by religious teachings
to turn away from consumerism and to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet. Walk
on Earth Gently invites you into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. This program will
work individually with participants, on dates and times that work for both them and the facilitator.
Those already far along on their carbon footprint reduction journey may only need a few sessions with
the facilitator to complete their 50% carbon footprint reduction plan, whereas others may need more
sessions. Accept the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and commit to a sustainable lifestyle. Register for
this course on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975018418255. For more
information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
more info...		1/6/2026
-5/31/2026		January - May, dates/times individually set, onlineLisa Brenskelle

Mondays, January 12 – February 16, 6 p.m., online
Faithful Resilience is a six-part weekly study on climate resilience for faith communities. The climate
crisis has arrived. Faith communities must not only react, but also prepare. Over the last decade,
hurricanes have intensified, wildfires have burnt stronger, and heat waves have baked our cities. These
events can only be expected to get worse in the next decades. Most of our faith communities are not
ready for these climate-driven disasters. Yet, the communities who will be most threatened by climate
change also have an opportunity to play a pivotal role in building resilience in their towns and cities.
Whether a faith community has a large facility, land, social capital, or something else, those assets can
be channeled into building climate resilience in preparation for the coming physical and spiritual storms
of the climate crisis. Join us for this six-week weekly exploration and consider how your faith community
can become a force for climate resilience. To learn more/register, see:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975013162535. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more
information.
Topics for the six-week exploration of how faith communities can become a force for climate resilience
for your community include:
Week 1: The Land We Inhabit
Week 2: The Fierce Urgency of Now
Week 3: Resilience & Restoration
Week 4: Climate Migration
Week 5: Building Resilience
Week 6: Resilient Religion/Spirituality
more info...		2/16/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Tuesdays, January 13 – February 17, 6 p.m. central, online
Think there is no solution to climate change? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Effective climate
solutions are available now! Climate Solutions 101 is the world’s first major educational effort focused
solely on climate solutions. Rather than rehashing well-known climate challenges, these materials from
Project Drawdown concentrate on game-changing climate action based on rigorous scientific research
and analysis. This course, presented in video units and in-depth conversations, combines Project
Drawdown’s trusted resources with the expertise of several inspiring voices from around the world.
Climate solutions become attainable with increased access to free, science-based educational resources,
elevated public discourse, and tangible examples of real-world action. Continue your climate solutions
journey, today. Join others for a weekly online discussion on climate solutions! Register for this course
on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975010325048. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at
gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.
more info...		2/17/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

What is photogrammetry? How did 1,700 pounds of marine debris get removed from Stetson Bank? Are Regal Demoiselle fish the next invasive species in the sanctuary?

Answers to all of these questions are coming soon in the form of Seaside Chats, our annual speaker series about science and conservation happenings in and around Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

These presentations take place on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Central Time).

  • Presentations are FREE and presented via webinar. Our speakers include sanctuary staff and guests from partner organizations.
  • Anyone is welcome to attend, but presentation content is most suited to those in middle school and above. In fact, these programs make excellent extra credit assignments for students.
  • We are happy to provide attendance certificates for all participants and continuing professional education (CPE) hours for teachers. These presentations also make a great extra credit opportunity for students! 
  • All webinars are recorded, then captioned and posted to the National Marine Sanctuaries and FGBNMS websites.

More information about each of the presentations and links to webinar registration can be found on the Seaside Chats page of the FGBNMS website. 

Questions? Contact flowergarden@noaa.gov


more info...		2/18/20266:30pm to 7:30pm

If we know what we need to do, why do we fail to do it?
This study invites us to apply this age-old question of faith to the problem of climate change.
The study features videos recorded at the global climate negotiations in November 2025 and
introduces the Global Ethical Stocktake, a discussion framework developed in 2025 to guide a
global conversation on the ethics of climate change. With grace and urgency, this study will
open space to ask hard questions and gain insights into the issue of climate change—and our
responsibilities to each other.
Changing by Choice considers climate change as it intersects with other core concerns for faith
communities, including hunger; migration; disaster response; and violent conflict. And, using
the Global Ethical Stocktake framework, it brings your group into conversation with people in
local communities around the world.
Join the discussion by registering on eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979825213509. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
with any questions about this class.
more info...		2/19/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Indiangrass Preserve, 31975 Hebert Rd., Waller, TX 77484
Feb 20th | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM CST

This workshop is offered through the Texas Coastal Prairie Initiative, a collaborative effort with regional partners led by the Coastal Prairie Conservancy to advance land stewardship, habitat restoration, and resilient working lands across the Texas coastal prairie.
Designed for landowners, land managers, and conservation practitioners, this hands-on workshop blends indoor presentations with outdoor demonstrations and field-based learning.
 

more info...		2/20/20269:00am to 3:00pmAmber Leung

FRIENDS OF WOODLAND PARK 

Join in to participate in the monthly bird survey in the Woodland Park Nature Preserve along Little White Oak Bayou.
The group will meet by the parking lot of the community center (212 Parkview). No experience is required!!! Please bring binoculars if you have them, and wear shoes and long pants that might get muddy.

Come join Mary Goldsby - long time supporter and friend of Woodland Park! Thanks to Houston Audubon for being such a great supporter of Woodland Park.


more info...		2/21/20267:30am to 9:00amKelli Fereday

Get all your curbside recycling questions answered and improve your recycling skills.
Find out what happens to your recyclables. Look at financials around trash and
recycling. Includes curbside guidelines for West U, Houston, Southside Place and
Bellaire. $5 residents, $20 non-residents.

You may register in person at the West University Place Recreation Center or online at the City’s website www.westutx.gov. From the website go
to Services tab, choose Parks and Recreation, then select Register at the boom. Click on
Classes, Camps and Activities. (Registering online requires an account which may take 3-5
business days to create.)

Research has shown that 80% of Americans feel that recycling is worth the effort, but over half
of household recyclables end up in the trash, NOT in the recycling bin. Research has also
revealed that about half of households are not confident in what can actually go in their
recycling bin. These three classes give you an opportunity to get clarification on what does and
does not belong in your recycling bin and the many options you have to recycle and compost
beyond curbside. Want clarity on the recyclability of an item? Bring it to class. Applying what
you learn in these classes will dramatically reduce the amount of trash you put to the curb.
more info...		2/21/202610:00am to 12:00pm

Surfside Beach
Highway 332 at Surf Drive
Village of Surfside Beach, Texas 77541

Calling people of all faiths, or no faith at all, to care for our common home in a beach clean-up in
Surfside! We will remove trash polluting a shoreline at Surfside Beach, helping to protect and restore
our beautiful Gulf. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill levels, so bring the whole family!
Supplies will be provided. You just need a reusable water bottle and closed-toe shoes. This beach clean-
up is organized by the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston in partnership with the Village of
Surfside Beach. Registration for this event is limited and required for participation. Specific meeting
location in Surfside Beach will be sent to all registrants several days prior to the event. Register on
www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979233877808. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at
gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
more info...		2/22/20262:00pm to 4:00pm

Join Melissa Suter, PhD, of Baylor College of Medicine, and Lance Hallberg, PhD, and Claire Hallmark, MPH, both of
University of Texas Medical Branch, for a talk highlighting the role of the Community Engagement Core (CEC) in fostering
meaningful, bidirectional communication between researchers and communities impacted by Superfund site chemical
pollutants. They will discuss strategies for partnering with local leaders and residents to co-develop prevention and
intervention approaches aimed at reducing exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other
contaminants. Finally, the presentation will showcase how these collaborative efforts inform research directions, build
capacity, and advance environmental health equity in vulnerable populations. Time for interactive discussion with the
speakers will be provided. Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979387429084. All registrants will receive a link to the recording of the event. This
virtual event will use the WebEx platform. Registrants will receive a separate e-mail with WebEx connection details.
Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
more info...		2/22/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

You are invited to join an online discussion series built around 15-minute videos featuring
interviews with US faith leaders, representatives of climate-impacted communities from the
global South, and presentations by UN officials and other experts. The videos walk viewers
through four key climate policy issues that intersect with universal faith concerns for vulnerable
and marginalized people. The series focuses on how climate change is impacting the core
outreach programs of faith communities around the world, how those impacts will increase in
the future, and why these impacts create an imperative for people of faith to advocate for
strong US climate action. A discussion guide is included that asks participants to think deeply
about how their own local faith community’s direct service programs intersect with climate
impacts, and how knowledge and experiences gained through these programs might help to
inform climate policy. The study’s Action Center provides practical, step-by-step instructions for
advocacy activities, as well as recommended policy asks for local, state, and national leaders.
Join us! Please register on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979232494671. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
for more information.
more info...		2/23/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

4 th Monday/month, 7 p.m. central, online
Starts January 26, 2026
Faith communities of all faith/spiritual traditions are invited to join the Cool Congregations Cohort in
2026. The cohort will meet monthly online throughout the year, and the facilitator will work with you to
accomplish two goals during the course of the year: (1) develop a plan to reduce your faith community’s
carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 (in line with goals sent by climate scientists) and (2) incorporate care
for the earth into all aspects of your faith community’s life. The cohort facilitator, who has decades of
experience in “greening” of faith communities, will give individualized attention to the 10 faith
communities that participate, helping them to discover ways to both reduce their carbon footprint and
renew their faith community’s commitment to care for the earth. Participating faith communities will
also learn from each other’s experiences and support each other throughout the program. This program
is organized by the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, a Houston affiliate of the Texas
chapter of Interfaith Power & Light, but is open to any faith community that would like to participate,
and is not restricted to Houston- nor Texas-based faith communities. Please register your faith
community at www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975020502489 (only one sign-
up per faith community, please). Contact the facilitator, Lisa Brenskelle, at gcs.lrc@gmail.com, with any
questions.
more info...		2/23/20267:00pm to 8:00pm

The Galveston Bay Estuary Program is excited to host the 12th State of the Bay Symposium on February 24-25, 2026, at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center. This event provides an opportunity to bring together partners to exchange ideas, share updates, and highlight the impactful work underway throughout the region. We are eager to have two days of meaningful discussion, learning, and collaboration focused on preserving Galveston Bay.

Welcome addresses will be provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Division Director, Troy Hill, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Commissioner Catarina Gonzalez, the City of Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, and Galveston Bay Foundation President, Bob Stokes. Plenary sessions will include a panel discussion on water rights featuring representatives from the National Wildlife Federation, Texas Water Trade, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Tributary Consulting, along with a presentation by Dr. Paul Montagna from the Harte Research Institute, offering valuable perspectives on Changes in Texas Bays. We are also thrilled to welcome our luncheon speakers, Marcus Eriksen of 5 Gyres and Matt Aeberhard of Birds of America. In addition to our program, the symposium will include an evening reception on February 24th, which will feature local artwork followed by a moth survey night experience hosted by the Exploration Green Conservancy.

Registration, Hotel Information, and a Tentative agenda are all available online.
We are excited to gather with our partners and stakeholders and making this year’s symposium both informative and memorable.
 
more info...		2/24/2026
-2/25/2026		7:30am to 5:00pm

You may know that there are many possible solutions to combat climate change. But, how do we focus
our efforts, create the most effective plan and really make a difference on climate before it’s too late?
The Drawdown Roadmap is a science-based strategy for accelerating climate solutions, pointing to
which climate actions governments, businesses, investors, philanthropists, community organizations,
and others should prioritize to make the most of our efforts to stop climate change. Attend this 4-week
course to understand the roadmap, and consider how to actualize it in your business, community
organization, investments and more. To learn more/register, see:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979231330188. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more
information.
more info...		2/24/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

If we know what we need to do, why do we fail to do it?
This study invites us to apply this age-old question of faith to the problem of climate change.
The study features videos recorded at the global climate negotiations in November 2025 and
introduces the Global Ethical Stocktake, a discussion framework developed in 2025 to guide a
global conversation on the ethics of climate change. With grace and urgency, this study will
open space to ask hard questions and gain insights into the issue of climate change—and our
responsibilities to each other.
Changing by Choice considers climate change as it intersects with other core concerns for faith
communities, including hunger; migration; disaster response; and violent conflict. And, using
the Global Ethical Stocktake framework, it brings your group into conversation with people in
local communities around the world.
Join the discussion by registering on eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979825213509. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
with any questions about this class.
more info...		2/26/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Artist Boat hosts Instructor Development Workshops (IDW) and Instructor Certification Exams (ICE) approved by the American Canoe Association (ACA).  The workshops are designed to teach participants how to instruct others to paddle correctly, perform rescues, maneuver kayaks and practice essential kayaking techniques.  Upon successful completion, participants will have an ACA Instructor Certification and professional kayak training.
https://www.artistboat.org/aca-l2-idw/
 
more info...		2/28/2026
-3/3/2026		ongoing

Harlem River Farms
Ennis Street Garden Crawl

In celebration of Black History Month

Help us grow our community gardens
All ages welcome. Tools provided
Bring water and wear comfortable clothes
more info...		2/28/20269:00am to 12:00pm

Description:

Visit ayw.givepulse.com to sign up. 

 

American Youthworks Texas Conservation Corps (TXCC) is hosting a Green Wave Clean-Up Event on Saturday, February 28, at Blackhawk 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 their coordination team by emailing GreenWave@ayw.org if you have any questions.

Please sign up so they know to expect you!


more info...		2/28/202610:00am to 12:00pm

Learn where you can recycle everything from plastic bags to broken jewelry to crayons
and rags and how you can dramatically reduce what you discard. $5 residents, $20 non-
residents.

You may register in person at the West University Place Recreation Center or online at the City’s website www.westutx.gov. From the website go
to Services tab, choose Parks and Recreation, then select Register at the boom. Click on
Classes, Camps and Activities. (Registering online requires an account which may take 3-5
business days to create.)

Research has shown that 80% of Americans feel that recycling is worth the effort, but over half
of household recyclables end up in the trash, NOT in the recycling bin. Research has also
revealed that about half of households are not confident in what can actually go in their
recycling bin. These three classes give you an opportunity to get clarification on what does and
does not belong in your recycling bin and the many options you have to recycle and compost
beyond curbside. Want clarity on the recyclability of an item? Bring it to class. Applying what
you learn in these classes will dramatically reduce the amount of trash you put to the curb.
more info...		2/28/202610:00am to 12:00pm

What is a pocket prairie and why would you want one at your faith community? If your faith community
is maintaining lawn that it does not use, join us online to learn about pocket prairies, their benefits, and
how to create and maintain one. Lan Shen, Seed Collection Manager and Great Grow Out Coordinator
for the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, will describe pocket prairies, how they can benefit your faith
community, the larger community, and the environment. Beth Clark, Landscape Architect, will discuss
how to create and maintain pocket prairies. A hands-on workshop for those faith communities
interested in creating pocket prairies at their houses of worship will follow in May, with a pocket prairie
planting planned for Fall 2026. Time for Q&A with the speakers will follow the talk. All who register will
get a link to a recording of the talk. Please register on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pocket-prairies-for-faith-communities-tickets-1981066939545. The
WebEx platform will be used for this virtual event – all registrants will get an e-mail invitation to the
WebEx. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
more info...		3/1/20263:00pm to 4:30pm

You are invited to join an online discussion series built around 15-minute videos featuring
interviews with US faith leaders, representatives of climate-impacted communities from the
global South, and presentations by UN officials and other experts. The videos walk viewers
through four key climate policy issues that intersect with universal faith concerns for vulnerable
and marginalized people. The series focuses on how climate change is impacting the core
outreach programs of faith communities around the world, how those impacts will increase in
the future, and why these impacts create an imperative for people of faith to advocate for
strong US climate action. A discussion guide is included that asks participants to think deeply
about how their own local faith community’s direct service programs intersect with climate
impacts, and how knowledge and experiences gained through these programs might help to
inform climate policy. The study’s Action Center provides practical, step-by-step instructions for
advocacy activities, as well as recommended policy asks for local, state, and national leaders.
Join us! Please register on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979232494671. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
for more information.
more info...		3/2/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

You may know that there are many possible solutions to combat climate change. But, how do we focus
our efforts, create the most effective plan and really make a difference on climate before it’s too late?
The Drawdown Roadmap is a science-based strategy for accelerating climate solutions, pointing to
which climate actions governments, businesses, investors, philanthropists, community organizations,
and others should prioritize to make the most of our efforts to stop climate change. Attend this 4-week
course to understand the roadmap, and consider how to actualize it in your business, community
organization, investments and more. To learn more/register, see:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979231330188. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more
information.
more info...		3/3/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

What is photogrammetry? How did 1,700 pounds of marine debris get removed from Stetson Bank? Are Regal Demoiselle fish the next invasive species in the sanctuary?

Answers to all of these questions are coming soon in the form of Seaside Chats, our annual speaker series about science and conservation happenings in and around Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

These presentations take place on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Central Time).

  • Presentations are FREE and presented via webinar. Our speakers include sanctuary staff and guests from partner organizations.
  • Anyone is welcome to attend, but presentation content is most suited to those in middle school and above. In fact, these programs make excellent extra credit assignments for students.
  • We are happy to provide attendance certificates for all participants and continuing professional education (CPE) hours for teachers. These presentations also make a great extra credit opportunity for students! 
  • All webinars are recorded, then captioned and posted to the National Marine Sanctuaries and FGBNMS websites.

More information about each of the presentations and links to webinar registration can be found on the Seaside Chats page of the FGBNMS website. 

Questions? Contact flowergarden@noaa.gov


more info...		3/4/20266:30pm to 7:30pm

The Paddlesports Leader Certification supplements ACA’s ICW program. The certification courses equip paddlers with trip planning and leadership skills to provide safe and enjoyable day trips in coastal or river environments. These courses are offered in a Leadership Certification course format, which includes training and examination.
https://www.artistboat.org/aca-l2-idw/
 
more info...		3/5/2026
-3/7/2026		Multiple Dates

If we know what we need to do, why do we fail to do it?
This study invites us to apply this age-old question of faith to the problem of climate change.
The study features videos recorded at the global climate negotiations in November 2025 and
introduces the Global Ethical Stocktake, a discussion framework developed in 2025 to guide a
global conversation on the ethics of climate change. With grace and urgency, this study will
open space to ask hard questions and gain insights into the issue of climate change—and our
responsibilities to each other.
Changing by Choice considers climate change as it intersects with other core concerns for faith
communities, including hunger; migration; disaster response; and violent conflict. And, using
the Global Ethical Stocktake framework, it brings your group into conversation with people in
local communities around the world.
Join the discussion by registering on eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979825213509. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
with any questions about this class.
more info...		3/5/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Join us Saturday, March 7 at Forest Dale for a Planting on Halls Bayou!

We will be restoring the riparian zone along the bayou.
RSVP HERE: Forest Dale Planting


more info...		3/7/20269:00am to 12:00pmKarastin Katusin

You are invited to join an online discussion series built around 15-minute videos featuring
interviews with US faith leaders, representatives of climate-impacted communities from the
global South, and presentations by UN officials and other experts. The videos walk viewers
through four key climate policy issues that intersect with universal faith concerns for vulnerable
and marginalized people. The series focuses on how climate change is impacting the core
outreach programs of faith communities around the world, how those impacts will increase in
the future, and why these impacts create an imperative for people of faith to advocate for
strong US climate action. A discussion guide is included that asks participants to think deeply
about how their own local faith community’s direct service programs intersect with climate
impacts, and how knowledge and experiences gained through these programs might help to
inform climate policy. The study’s Action Center provides practical, step-by-step instructions for
advocacy activities, as well as recommended policy asks for local, state, and national leaders.
Join us! Please register on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979232494671. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
for more information.
more info...		3/9/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

You may know that there are many possible solutions to combat climate change. But, how do we focus
our efforts, create the most effective plan and really make a difference on climate before it’s too late?
The Drawdown Roadmap is a science-based strategy for accelerating climate solutions, pointing to
which climate actions governments, businesses, investors, philanthropists, community organizations,
and others should prioritize to make the most of our efforts to stop climate change. Attend this 4-week
course to understand the roadmap, and consider how to actualize it in your business, community
organization, investments and more. To learn more/register, see:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979231330188. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more
information.
more info...		3/10/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

If we know what we need to do, why do we fail to do it?
This study invites us to apply this age-old question of faith to the problem of climate change.
The study features videos recorded at the global climate negotiations in November 2025 and
introduces the Global Ethical Stocktake, a discussion framework developed in 2025 to guide a
global conversation on the ethics of climate change. With grace and urgency, this study will
open space to ask hard questions and gain insights into the issue of climate change—and our
responsibilities to each other.
Changing by Choice considers climate change as it intersects with other core concerns for faith
communities, including hunger; migration; disaster response; and violent conflict. And, using
the Global Ethical Stocktake framework, it brings your group into conversation with people in
local communities around the world.
Join the discussion by registering on eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979825213509. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
with any questions about this class.
more info...		3/12/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Spring has sprung!

Join Houston Parks Board at Watonga on March 13th at 9 am to plant native prairie species to help the bat colony under Watonga Parkway bridge!


more info...		3/13/20269:00am to 12:00pmKarastin Katusin

Gain a richer appreciation of the great mystery of God’s creation in this guided walk in Hermann Park,
using the park’s beautiful natural setting to prayerfully ponder this mystery and praise our Creator for
the marvels of Creation. The Via Creationis (the way of creation) commemorates the mystery of
Creation by reading side by side the two sacred books that God wrote: the Book of Scripture and the
Book of the Cosmos, as theologians have taught throughout history. At each stop along the walk, we will
focus on one aspect of creation, with an accompanying verse from Genesis, a related science highlight,
responsive readings, and time for reflection and prayer. Deepen your Christian spiritual practice by
walking the way of creation in the park! All attendees will receive materials on the Via Creationis to take
home and use again in future. This event is for a small group and advance registration is required.
Specific meeting location in the park will be sent to all registrants several days prior to the event.
Register on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981050547516. Contact Lisa
Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.
more info...		3/14/20269:00am to 10:00am

You are invited to join an online discussion series built around 15-minute videos featuring
interviews with US faith leaders, representatives of climate-impacted communities from the
global South, and presentations by UN officials and other experts. The videos walk viewers
through four key climate policy issues that intersect with universal faith concerns for vulnerable
and marginalized people. The series focuses on how climate change is impacting the core
outreach programs of faith communities around the world, how those impacts will increase in
the future, and why these impacts create an imperative for people of faith to advocate for
strong US climate action. A discussion guide is included that asks participants to think deeply
about how their own local faith community’s direct service programs intersect with climate
impacts, and how knowledge and experiences gained through these programs might help to
inform climate policy. The study’s Action Center provides practical, step-by-step instructions for
advocacy activities, as well as recommended policy asks for local, state, and national leaders.
Join us! Please register on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979232494671. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
for more information.
more info...		3/16/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

You may know that there are many possible solutions to combat climate change. But, how do we focus
our efforts, create the most effective plan and really make a difference on climate before it’s too late?
The Drawdown Roadmap is a science-based strategy for accelerating climate solutions, pointing to
which climate actions governments, businesses, investors, philanthropists, community organizations,
and others should prioritize to make the most of our efforts to stop climate change. Attend this 4-week
course to understand the roadmap, and consider how to actualize it in your business, community
organization, investments and more. To learn more/register, see:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979231330188. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more
information.
more info...		3/17/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

If we know what we need to do, why do we fail to do it?
This study invites us to apply this age-old question of faith to the problem of climate change.
The study features videos recorded at the global climate negotiations in November 2025 and
introduces the Global Ethical Stocktake, a discussion framework developed in 2025 to guide a
global conversation on the ethics of climate change. With grace and urgency, this study will
open space to ask hard questions and gain insights into the issue of climate change—and our
responsibilities to each other.
Changing by Choice considers climate change as it intersects with other core concerns for faith
communities, including hunger; migration; disaster response; and violent conflict. And, using
the Global Ethical Stocktake framework, it brings your group into conversation with people in
local communities around the world.
Join the discussion by registering on eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979825213509. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
with any questions about this class.
more info...		3/19/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Spring into action and join Houston Parks Board at Pardee on March 20th at 9 am to plant native forbs and grass species for pollinators. 

RSVP HERE: Green Team @ Pardee


more info...		3/20/20269:00am to 12:00pmKarastin Katusin

FRIENDS OF WOODLAND PARK 

Join in to participate in the monthly bird survey in the Woodland Park Nature Preserve along Little White Oak Bayou. 

The group will meet by the parking lot of the community center (212 Parkview). No experience is required!!! Please bring binoculars if you have them, and wear shoes and long pants that might get muddy.

Come join Mary Goldsby - long time supporter and friend of Woodland Park! Thanks to Houston Audubon for being such a great supporter of Woodland Park.


more info...		3/21/20267:30am to 9:00amKelli Fereday

This class covers ALL the food waste options from the who, what, when, where and how
of backyard composting to food waste drop off options and curbside pickup. Food
waste makes up approximately ¼ of landfilled household waste. $5 residents, $20 non-
residents.

You may register in person at the West University Place Recreation Center or online at the City’s website www.westutx.gov. From the website go
to Services tab, choose Parks and Recreation, then select Register at the boom. Click on
Classes, Camps and Activities. (Registering online requires an account which may take 3-5
business days to create.)

Research has shown that 80% of Americans feel that recycling is worth the effort, but over half
of household recyclables end up in the trash, NOT in the recycling bin. Research has also
revealed that about half of households are not confident in what can actually go in their
recycling bin. These three classes give you an opportunity to get clarification on what does and
does not belong in your recycling bin and the many options you have to recycle and compost
beyond curbside. Want clarity on the recyclability of an item? Bring it to class. Applying what
you learn in these classes will dramatically reduce the amount of trash you put to the curb.
 
more info...		3/21/202610:00am to 12:00pm

4 th Monday/month, 7 p.m. central, online
Starts January 26, 2026
Faith communities of all faith/spiritual traditions are invited to join the Cool Congregations Cohort in
2026. The cohort will meet monthly online throughout the year, and the facilitator will work with you to
accomplish two goals during the course of the year: (1) develop a plan to reduce your faith community’s
carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 (in line with goals sent by climate scientists) and (2) incorporate care
for the earth into all aspects of your faith community’s life. The cohort facilitator, who has decades of
experience in “greening” of faith communities, will give individualized attention to the 10 faith
communities that participate, helping them to discover ways to both reduce their carbon footprint and
renew their faith community’s commitment to care for the earth. Participating faith communities will
also learn from each other’s experiences and support each other throughout the program. This program
is organized by the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, a Houston affiliate of the Texas
chapter of Interfaith Power & Light, but is open to any faith community that would like to participate,
and is not restricted to Houston- nor Texas-based faith communities. Please register your faith
community at www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1975020502489 (only one sign-
up per faith community, please). Contact the facilitator, Lisa Brenskelle, at gcs.lrc@gmail.com, with any
questions.
more info...		3/23/20267:00pm to 8:00pm

CEC members are invited to gather, learn and connect at the Annual Meeting. 


more info...		3/25/20265:00pm to 7:00pm

If we know what we need to do, why do we fail to do it?
This study invites us to apply this age-old question of faith to the problem of climate change.
The study features videos recorded at the global climate negotiations in November 2025 and
introduces the Global Ethical Stocktake, a discussion framework developed in 2025 to guide a
global conversation on the ethics of climate change. With grace and urgency, this study will
open space to ask hard questions and gain insights into the issue of climate change—and our
responsibilities to each other.
Changing by Choice considers climate change as it intersects with other core concerns for faith
communities, including hunger; migration; disaster response; and violent conflict. And, using
the Global Ethical Stocktake framework, it brings your group into conversation with people in
local communities around the world.
Join the discussion by registering on eventbrite at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1979825213509. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
with any questions about this class.
more info...		3/26/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Since January 2025, the President, his Congressional yes-men/women, and the courts have been
systematically overturning existing legislation and passing new limitations on successful climate policies,
withdrawing from global commitments, and gutting scientific funding that was making a difference in
combatting the climate crisis. At the same time, many within the faith community have remained
hopeful and are taking steps to counter these negative influences from the current administration. In
this webinar, join Mel Caraway, retired United Methodist pastor, as he looks at positive steps that are
being taken to combat ecological uncertainty. Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be
provided. Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1981951471203. This virtual event will use the WebEx platform.
Registrants will receive a separate e-mail with WebEx connection details. All registrants will get a link to
the recording of this talk. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
more info...		3/29/20266:00pm to 7:00pm

Join us as we discuss Lindsay Dahl's Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals, a book that exposes the lack of regulation of toxic chemicals in everyday household products, how we can protect ourselves from these toxins, and how systemic change is the only thing that will really solve the problem. https://cechouston.org/environmental-book-club/
more info...		4/7/20267:00pm to 8:30pm

Happy Earth Month! Join Houston Parks Board at Simsbrook on April 10th at 9 am to plant a new native landscape about Bayou Greenways Trail!


more info...		4/10/20269:00am to 12:00pmKarastin Katusin

Join Austin Sierra Club for a week of meaningful trail service in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Texas.
Often described as the second largest canyon in the U.S., Palo Duro stretches more than 120 miles across the Panhandle. That claim depends on how “largest” is defined — for instance, Idaho’s Hells Canyon is deeper — but Palo Duro’s vivid red cliffs and sculpted rock layers make it an unforgettable place to work and explore.

You'll camp in the Wolfberry Group Area, which has 7 pedestals with water spigots and 30/50-amp outlets, plus plenty of space for tents and a few RVs. Wolfberry is about 5½ miles inside the park, near the Mesquite and Hackberry camp areas.

April usually brings warm days and cool, comfortable evenings.

The team will assist the park with trail maintenance and erosion control projects. They're especially skilled with McLeods and Pulaskis and would be delighted to collaborate with another group on shared work.
Expect rewarding, hands-on fieldwork, good company, and time to enjoy the canyon’s trails and starry nights.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches. Of course, your park admission will be comped.

They keep evening duty simple: every team cooks one night only — enjoy the other nights free. The chosen team brings and prepares dinner, runs dish patrol, and washes the cooking pots and pans.

The team that cooks, let's say, Tuesday night also washes the dishes used for Tuesday morning’s pancake-and-egg breakfast. That’s it — one dinner, one breakfast-morning cleanup, and then you’re off the hook.

But wait. There's more.

On the last day of this Service Project, we get to check out a huge area that is not open to the public, and won't be for at least three years!

The Cross Bar Special Recreation Management Area is big - 11,883 acres. It is the only BLM land in Texas. https://friendsofcrossbarsrma.org.

They have received special permission to have them guide us across private property to get to the preserve. They are meeting us at the gate at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 18th. It is about an hour drive from Palo Duro. The gate’s address is 9610 Brickplant Road, Amarillo, TX.

After exploring the Cross Bar, many of us will proceed to Caprock Canyons State Park for another week long Service Project.

To sign up:

  1. RSVP on Meetup: The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up! There is usually plenty of turnover.
  2. Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure that this trip is right for you.
  3. Contact information: Send your name, cell number, email address to stanpeyton at gmail.com.
  4. Complete the Medical Form: https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021 Scan and email the form also to stanpeyton at gmail.com (preferred) , or to Stan Peyton's mailing address below.
  5. Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1: https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
  6. Mail the forms to:
    Stan Peyton
    8408 Hanbridge Lane
    Austin TX 78736

VERY IMPORTANT: IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.

Don't sign up unless you are serious about attending!


more info...		4/12/202612:30pm to 2:30pm

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