ONLINE Houston Monthly Meeting: Conserving Land and Restoring Prairies in Houston Parks
Zoom meeting, link access below.
Thursday, July 13, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
This meeting will be conducted using Zoom. Everyone is welcome.
7:15 - 7:30 pm: Time for log in, announcements, meet & greet.
Featured program presentation starts at 7:30 pm
This program requires advance registration at this Zoom link:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
July Program Topic:
Conserving Land and Restoring Prairies in Houston Parks
On July 13, Cassidy Kempf, Habitat Restoration Manager for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD), will discuss the newly passed Nature Preserve Ordinance that conserves over 7,000 acres of natural habitat on City land. She will also discuss HPARD's prairie restoration program that is restoring Houston's native and critically endangered grassland habitat.
Houston's Nature Preserve Ordinance:
Last fall the City of Houston passed a Nature Preserve Ordinance, which is intended to protect areas of natural habitat in city parks. These are existing areas of natural habitat that will now have protection from future development.
Excerpts from the City's press release:
"Houston City Council has approved an ordinance designed to protect 7,423 acres of natural habitat in City of Houston parks. The ordinance preserves land within 26 parks with a focus on habitat protection and passive recreation. The nature preserves will ensure the preservation of habitat for native wildlife and for the ecosystem services they provide to the citizens of Houston. The areas will help mitigate flooding, store carbon, reduce urban heat island effects, improve air and water quality, and provide educational opportunities for the public."
"Most of the parks included in the ordinance have both developed areas and nature preserve sections. Nature preserve boundaries will be clearly marked."
"The Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Natural Resources Management Program will be responsible for creating oversight objectives at the sites."
Here is the City's full press release:
The Nature Preserves webpage:
A list of the currently designated Nature Preserves can be found at this webpage (scroll down for list):
Feel free to log in early, 7:15pm or so, if you are new to using Zoom, or have other questions.