January 22, 2020
Houston Sierra Club General Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 2020, 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
St. Stephen's: Pecore Hall
1805 W. Alabama, Houston
(entrance & parking at Sul Ross and Woodhead)
(entrance & parking at Sul Ross and Woodhead)
February Program Topic:
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Natural Resources Management Program
A conservation team within the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) is focused on preserving and restoring habitat throughout Houston. Ongoing efforts include the targeted preservation of over 7,000 acres of land and the creation and enhancement of riparian forest in 70 city parks. HPARD's Natural Resources Manager, Kelli Ondracek, will present on the various initiatives and goals being targeted to protect and improve habitat and elevate conservation priorities throughout the department in the future.
Here is the link to the program's website, which includes descriptions of various habitat restoration projects around the City:
https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/naturalresources.html
A conservation team within the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) is focused on preserving and restoring habitat throughout Houston. Ongoing efforts include the targeted preservation of over 7,000 acres of land and the creation and enhancement of riparian forest in 70 city parks. HPARD's Natural Resources Manager, Kelli Ondracek, will present on the various initiatives and goals being targeted to protect and improve habitat and elevate conservation priorities throughout the department in the future.
Here is the link to the program's website, which includes descriptions of various habitat restoration projects around the City:
https://www.houstontx.gov/parks/naturalresources.html
Riparian Restoration Project:
HPARD’s Natural Resources Management Program is targeting all parks adjacent to bayous and tributaries for the restoration of forested riparian buffers. Historically, much of the Houston area was coastal prairie habitat with forested riparian habitat lining the bayous. Many of the riparian buffers have been removed or degraded due to development or stream channelization. This project will help the department reach a broader goal of increasing green infrastructure within parks for the purpose of mitigating flooding, improving water quality, reducing erosion, creating wildlife habitat, and establishing areas for passive recreation. Two ongoing riparian pilot projects within the park system at Milby Park and White Oak Parkway are guiding best management practices for this larger initiative. A total of 70 parks have been identified as having an area adjacent to a bayou or tributary where a riparian buffer could be enhanced or created. This could ultimately result in the restoration of over 1,000 acres of habitat in city parks, with an installation of around 200,000 native trees.
HPARD’s Natural Resources Management Program is targeting all parks adjacent to bayous and tributaries for the restoration of forested riparian buffers. Historically, much of the Houston area was coastal prairie habitat with forested riparian habitat lining the bayous. Many of the riparian buffers have been removed or degraded due to development or stream channelization. This project will help the department reach a broader goal of increasing green infrastructure within parks for the purpose of mitigating flooding, improving water quality, reducing erosion, creating wildlife habitat, and establishing areas for passive recreation. Two ongoing riparian pilot projects within the park system at Milby Park and White Oak Parkway are guiding best management practices for this larger initiative. A total of 70 parks have been identified as having an area adjacent to a bayou or tributary where a riparian buffer could be enhanced or created. This could ultimately result in the restoration of over 1,000 acres of habitat in city parks, with an installation of around 200,000 native trees.Photos courtesy of Amil Kanji.
Amil Kanji's Instagram is here: https://www.instagram.com/amillionairee/