EarthShare Texas

Apply for the Governor’s Community Achievement Awards
2024-01-02 - 2024-02-15
For more than thirty years, Keep Texas Beautiful, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), has awarded the prestigious Governor’s Community Achievement Awards to Texas communities for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful. The GCAA program has recognized outstanding communities since 1969, with TxDOT providing landscaping award funding since 1985. This year, ten winning communities will share $2 million in landscaping awards from the Texas Department of Transportation, with the amount based on population size. The funds are used for landscaping projects along state rights-of-way.
Submit your application now by visiting https://ktb.org/gcaa/
For questions, contact: Karla Camacho, Communications Coordinator, karla@ktb.org

Water Wonks Hour - GEAA Online Monthly Lecture Series #1
2024-01-24 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Chicago)
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is pleased to introduce our 2024 Water Wonks Hour Lecture Series! Mark your calendars for 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Water Wonks will feature a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water, providing a free online community education opportunity. Learn more or register for this event by visiting https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/.
Lecture #1 will be hosted on Wednesday January 24th 3:30 pm. For this first lecture, our topic is Water Reuse in the Hill Country: Analyzing Opportunities in Comal County Texas. This session will be presented by GEAA Policy Director, Rachel Hanes.
Rachel will present a newly released report that outlines opportunities to employ recycled water to alleviate the burdens placed on the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers by focusing on the state of recycled water use in Comal County. Water reuse (using reclaimed and treated wastewater) is an integral step in ensuring that counties in the Hill Country will have the water supplies needed to ensure the health, safety, and quality of life of residents in the years to come.
For questions, contact Kellie Fichter (kellie@aquiferalliance.org).

Haha real: Cistern Art Installation
2024-02-02 - 2024-11-10 | Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, 105 Sabine Street, Houston, TX, 77007, United States
Coming this February, the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern will be transformed into a surreal landscape where nothing is quite as it appears. Haha real is an immersive, site-specific art installation by artist Rachel Rossin. Holographic characters, symbols, and carefully manipulated sound elements by Houston musician, Frewuhn, combine to create a unique world inspired by the classic story of The Velveteen Rabbit. Posing questions about the nature of reality, imagination, and connection, Haha real offers an encounter with the unknown.
Admission revenue supports the environmental stewardship work of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership – get your tickets here.

Now Open: The Beautify Texas Awards Nominations
2024-02-05 - 2024-03-22 | Online
Keep Texas Beautiful is excited to announce the opening of the Beautify Texas Awards nominations!
The Beautify Texas Awards recognize efforts made by individuals and organizations to enhance their communities and protect Texas’ environment. These awards range in honoring extraordinary volunteers, professionals, youth, educators, businesses, local/civic governments, organizations, and specific projects and programs. They are organized into two main categories, Individual Awards and Organization Awards.
Anyone can nominate a local hero! Award winners come from all walks of life: students, civic and non-profit organizations, individuals, community groups, sports teams, and more. Self-nominations are encouraged! Nominations open now until March 22 – visit https://ktb.org/beautify-texas-awards/ to make your nominations today.
Questions? Contact event organizer Karla Camacho, karla@ktb.org.

Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Volunteer Day
2024-02-17 08:30 - 11:30 | Anahuac, TX, 77514
Every February, Galveston Bay Foundation partners with Texas Parks and Wildlife during the 10-day crab trap closure to aid in the removal of abandoned, lost or derelict crab traps.
These traps have been identified as a significant source of mortality for a variety of organisms. They can also damage boats, contribute to visual pollution and possibly have negative effects on sensitive habitats like seagrass!
You and fellow volunteers will help unload crab traps at the boat dock, count the amount of traps, identify and document any marine life found in traps and dismantle traps.
Learn more and sign up by visiting this link: https://galvbay.org/event/abandoned-crab-trap-removal-3/

Water Wonks Lecture Series #2
2024-02-28 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is pleased to introduce their 2024 Water Wonks Lecture Series. Mark your calendars for 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month.
Water Wonks will feature a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water. The series is a free community education opportunity. Visit https://aquiferalliance.org/event/water-wonks-hour-lecture-series-2/ to register now!
Questions? Contact Kellie Fichter (kellie@aquiferalliance.org).

The Great American Cleanup Begins in Texas
2024-03-01 - 2024-05-31
The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program. In Texas, we kick things off on March 1.
In 2023, during the Great American Cleanup, volunteers picked up more than 686,000 lbs of trash and recycling across Texas. That’s the weight of more than 30 Big Tex statues combined! Join the effort this year! Anyone can order supplies to clean up a TxDOT-maintained roadway or waterway between March 1 – May 31st. Visit this link to learn more about this nationwide event and how you can participate.
Questions? Contact event organizer Karla Camacho, karla@ktb.org.

Drop-in & Discover: Spring @ Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
2024-03-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX, 78739, United States
Join us in the gardens on select Saturdays to play, learn and discover. Enjoy different themed family-friendly activities designed for all ages. Drop-in programs are designed for guests of all ages to learn, create and explore the gardens together.
Select Saturdays, 10 a.m. – noon.
This is a free drop-in program and will be held outdoors. Please come dressed for the weather and don’t forget your water bottle!

Pots for Plots Opening: Bayou Preservation Association (CEC)
2024-03-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Quality Feed & Garden, 1813 Luzon St, Houston, Texas, 77009
Join the community for the Pots for Plots opening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the installation of Bayou Preservation Association’s first permanent plastic plant pot collection bin! Pots for Plots is their community-driven initiative tackling plastic waste by giving single-use plant pots a new life at local nurseries and farms.
Sign up now by visiting this link: https://www.bayoupreservation.org/events/pots-for-plots-permanent-bin-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/form.
Questions? Contact info@BayouPreservation.org.

Tree Care and Trash Workday: Pan Am Park!
2024-03-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Pan Am Park, 2100 E 3rd St, Austin, TX, 78702
Come join your neighbors and park community as we gather at Pan Am Neighborhood Park on Saturday, March 23rd from 9 AM to Noon! Pan Am is an important part of East Austin’s community and we’re coming together in stewardship for this incredibly important space! We will be supporting the health of this popular park by mulching trees and picking up litter throughout the park and as a thank you, you’ll receive a free It’s My Park Day Spring t-shirt!
We’ll gather at 9 AM by the playground with coffee and treats before getting to work! Please wear comfortable, outdoor clothing, bring your own water bottle and we’ll take care of the rest!
Thank you so much for giving back to our parks and green spaces, we’re so excited to work with y’all!

Water Wonks Lecture Series #3
2024-03-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
The Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance is pleased to introduce their 2024 Water Wonks Lecture Series. Mark your calendars for 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of each month – next month’s installation will happen on the 27th.
Water Wonks will feature a host of experts sharing innovative ideas and details about their work in the world of water. The series is a free community education opportunity. Visit https://aquiferalliance.org/water-wonks-series/ to register now!
Questions? Contact Kellie Fichter (kellie@aquiferalliance.org).

March 2024 Rain Barrel Workshop
2024-03-27 17:00 - 18:30 | Nature Discovery Center, 7112 Newcastle Street, Houston, Texas, 77401
Galveston Bay Foundation’s Rain Barrel Program works to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff, pollution, and bacteria entering Galveston Bay.
Join them on Wednesday, March 27th from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at the Nature Discovery Center (7112 Newcastle Street, Bellaire, TX 77401). The workshop will consist of a supply pickup, hands-on presentation, and Q&A session with Galveston Bay Foundation staff. The presentation will discuss water conservation tools like Water My Yard, the environmental benefits of reducing freshwater usage and collecting rainwater, as well as proper rain barrel preparation, installation instructions and tips. Show up early or stick around after the event to enjoy walking through the beautiful botanic gardens and trails.
Click here to register.

KTB - TxDOT Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off
2024-04-01 - 2024-04-30
Celebrate Earth Day with a litter cleanup event this year!
The Don’t mess with Texas Trash-Off is Texas’ signature event for the Great American Cleanup. Together, we can help clear Texas roadsides of litter!
The Don’t mess with Texas® Trash-Off is part of Texas Department of Transportation’s litter prevention program, which includes Don’t mess with Texas®, and Adopt-a-Highway. Groups cleaning up TxDOT-maintained roadways are eligible to receive cleanup supplies. Kits include trash bags, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, and more. All groups requesting supplies commit to sharing their cleanup data at the Texas Litter Database.
You must request supplies at least 3 weeks in advance of your event. Please review resources, including event planning and marketing toolkits, supply listings, and more at ktb.org/don’t-mess-with-texas

Hillside Farmacy Fundraiser For EarthShare Texas
2024-04-01 - 2024-04-30 | Hillside Farmacy, 1209 E 11th St., Austin, TX, 78702
Local heritage restaurant Hillside Farmacy resides within a historic landmark building in East Austin dating back to 1949. Embracing the farm-to-table philosophy, they proudly support their local community by sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients directly from nearby farmers, ranchers, wineries, breweries and artisans.
During the month of April, Hillside Farmacy will donate $2 from every bottle of wine sold to EarthShare Texas! Plan your visit today!

Cenote Earth Month Fundraiser
2024-04-01 - 2024-04-30 | Cenote, 1010 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, 78702
Each month, the classic East Austin patio cafe Cenote chooses a nonprofit to participate in their Burger of the Month profit share, in which 15% of all BOM orders are donated to a selected non-profit.
EarthShare Texas has been chosen as the April non-profit, so try the Burger of the Month today and support our mission of empowering environmental nonprofits!

Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary Cleanup
2024-04-06 09:30 - 12:00 | Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary, 5827 Levander Loop,, Austin, TX, 78702
Join Austin Parks Foundation for our April Open Workday at Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary! This hidden gem is just across the river from Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Metro Park, and has some stunning river access points and spectacular wildlife. Unfortunately, like Roy G.’s “Secret Beach,” this preserve struggles with big trash problems. Help us give this preserve some much-needed TLC by performing a BIG trash cleanup.
Litter can be found in the parking lot, along the trail, down at the river access points, and deeper into the preserve, so you can clean up at your own pace and explore to your comfort level.
This preserve is much more “wild” than some of our other parks so please watch your step and wear closed-toed shoes and long pants covering your ankles. Please also bring your own water bottle. APF will bring all other supplies and materials.
We will meet at the trailhead here at 9:30AM. Parking is available in the lot under 183 off Levander Loop.
Thank you so much for giving back to our parks and green spaces!
Questions? Contact Robin Lee – robin.lee@austinparks.org.

Playdates in the Park - APF
2024-04-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Great Hills Neighborhood Park, 10801 Sierra Oaks,, Austin, TX, 78759
Playdates in the Park is an inclusive, free community event series designed to activate families with young children. Enjoy story time, make crafts, and MOVE AND GROOVE with our friends from Creative Action! Music & Movement sessions are active and designed to inspire creativity, encourage physical and emotional development, and support bonding and connection for parents and children.
Sessions contain singing, beatboxing, guided movement exercises, and end in a dance party for the whole family! Playdates begin at 10 a.m. and end around noon.
Questions? Contact Caitlyn Denham – caitlyn.denham@austinparks.org.

Clean Energy Town Hall: Blueprint for Victory
2024-04-11 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Join the Sierra Club’s Executive Director Ben Jealous and campaign leadership for a webinar to celebrate this historic win and build power to retire the remaining 148 coal plants across the United States.
New England is now the second region in the country, along with the Pacific Northwest, to commit to eliminating coal from the electricity system. Years of advocacy from Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, volunteers like you, and partners has helped usher in a new era of clean energy. Join us to hear from Sierra Club’s leaders about this people-powered victory and how you can be a part of the bigger transition from coal to clean energy nationwide.

Columbia Fundraiser for EarthShare Texas
2024-04-12 - 2024-04-21 | Columbia Sportswear, 255 East Basse Road #Suite 905, San Antonio, TX, 78209, United States
Join us this month at Columbia Sportswear at Alamo Quarry Marketplace and mention EarthShare Texas at checkout to have 10% of your total purchase go back to support our member network of environmental health and conservation nonprofits across the state. Empower environmental organizations and snag some cool gear in one trip!

Sustainable Food Center's Farm to Plate
2024-04-18 17:30 - 21:30 | Springdale Station, 979 Springdale Rd Suite #160, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Sustainable Food Center’s (SFC) 15th Annual Farm to Plate is a celebration of our vibrant local food system and a fundraiser for SFC. Guests will enjoy an elevated dining experience which includes a seven course, sit-down dinner from Austin’s most celebrated chefs and perfectly paired with wines from acclaimed Central Texas wine producers. The event will also include a live auction, photo booth, and yard games. Savor the best of Austin, all while supporting SFC’s mission to transform the food system to nourish our health, land, and livelihood. SFC envisions a just, equitable, and regenerative food system where people and the environment thrive. Buy tickets now at https://e.givesmart.com/events/zyh/page/order-form/
Questions? Contact Ariana DeLaurentis, adelaurentis@sustainablefoodcenter.org.

Earth Day 2024 Cleanup with Adopt-A-Beach
2024-04-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Galveston Coastline
To celebrate Earth Day this year, some of our team will be joining longtime Galveston Bay Foundation volunteers and Adopt-A-Beach Leaders, Manny and Christina Alaniz for an Adopt-A-Beach cleanup. We invite you to join us at the beachfront along Boddecker Road to remove harmful marine debris from the water and coastline!
Since our first cleanup in 1986, more than 574,000 Texas Adopt-A-Beach volunteers have picked up nearly 10,000 tons of trash from Texas beaches, some of it originating from as far away as South America. To learn more and sign up, visit this link.

Earth Day at Discovery Green
2024-04-20 12:00 - 17:00 | Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX, 77010
Discovery Green Conservancy, in partnership with Citizens’ Environmental Coalition is proud to announce this year’s Earth Day featuring Houston Public Works’ Water Works Festival is all about art!
Artists have a way of helping people see the beauty of the world in a new way. Art has the power to change minds and hearts. This year’s Earth Day will be about using art to engage people and urge them to action. Just as anyone can be an artist, anyone can be an activist. At Earth Day, you can be both!
Houston Public Works’ popular Water Works Festival will also return to Earth Day. As a central environmental issue, the proper care and management of Houston’s water is a topic that affects everyone. The city’s present and future relies on it.
Expect family-friendly performances, live music, art installations, face painting, crafts and activities. Educational talks, panel discussions, spoken word performances and more will be provided. And, of course, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the water features at Discovery Green.

Earth Day Wildflower Walk and Picnic
2024-04-21 09:30 - 11:30 | Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX, 78733
Come celebrate Earth Day with a wildflower hike at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park! Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park is a significant cultural landscape in one of the most natural park settings in Austin! The restoration efforts that have occurred on site are a joint collaboration between St Edward’s University and the Travis Audubon Society and are very inspirational and a sight to see this time of year!
This will be a 2 mile loop hike on fairly level terrain leaving promptly at 9:30 am. Register now – spots are filling up!
Questions? Contact Andrew Harrod, andrew@savebartoncreek.org.

HPCC's Earth Day Celebration at Hidalgo Park
2024-04-21 11:00 - 16:00 | Hidalgo Park, 7000 Avenue Q, Houston, TX, 77011
Join HPCC for the first-ever Healthy Port Communities Coalition Earth Day Celebration at Hidalgo Park! Bring your friends and loved ones for a fun day of activities, local vendors and food. Entry is free!
Questions about this event? Contact etrevino@citizen.org.

Sierra Club Earth Day Happy Hour - Austin
2024-04-22 06:30 - 20:00 | Hold Out Brewing, 1208 W 4th St, Austin, TX, 78703
Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, Democrasexy, and Hold Out Brewing wanna celebrate Earth Day with you. Join us for drinks and snacks plus hot tips on how to get your home ready for summer, lower your electric bills, and join the movement for clean energy and climate justice in Austin. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you catch a glimpse of Mother Earth herself…
Questions? Contact Shane Johnson, shane.johnson@sierraclub.org.

Water Wonks Lecture Series #4
2024-04-24 15:30 - 16:30 | Online
Water Wonks Lecture Series #4: Comparative Analysis of Assured Water Supply Policies and Regulations Across the Western United States and Texas at the Municipal, County, and State Level

Brenda Chapa, EarthShare Texas Green Leaders Fellow, will be presenting on her recently completed semester-long policy research project for the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance which included a literature review of assured water supply policies, laws, and regulations at the municipal, county, and state level in the Western United States compared to those policies within Texas. She will provide an outline of the comparative analysis, policy recommendations, and suggested areas for future research including recommendations for current and projected high-growth areas of Texas.

Clean Water Fund's Spring for Water Benefit & Bash 2024
2024-04-27 16:00 - 20:00 | Chez Zee American Bistro, 5406 Balcones Drive, Austin, TX, 78731
Join Clean Water Fund IN PERSON at the delightful Chez Zee American Bistro on Saturday, April 27 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. for Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund’s 2024 Spring for Water Benefit and Bash.
Support our campaigns to protect Texas’ air and water, enjoy scrumptious food and drinks with allies and friends, and come away with valuable silent auction items. We are excited to gather together, in-person, at this unique and treasured venue.
Help us continue our work for a healthy and just Texas by purchasing your ticket or sponsorship today. All proceeds benefit Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund’s campaigns to protect families from toxic chemicals, empower environmental justice communities, support a just transition to clean energy, and improve water and air quality for all residents of Texas.
Questions? Contact Becky Smith, bsmith@cleanwater.org.

Young Texan Ambassador Program - Applications Open!
2024-05-01 - 2024-07-15 | Online
Calling all Texans 15-25 yrs old! The Young Texan Ambassador Program 2024-25 Cohort Applications are open May 1 until July 15. Keep Texas Beautiful’s Young Texan Ambassador (YTA) program supports the next generation of community and environmental leaders.
The program serves youth ages 15-25 for a 9-month service learning and environmental education program. Each ambassador completes a cleanup and a capstone service project in their community.
Participants value connecting with other like-minded young people who share their passion for the environment. The program has been particularly successful in attracting young adults from diverse backgrounds.
The program has been replicated in at least four other states using our program design as a model, and we have hosted virtual meetups for the Young Texas Ambassadors to meet with their counterparts from other states.
Start your application today at this link, or reach out to Keep Texas Beautiful staff to get more information.

Keeping Texas Waterways Clean Live Webinar
2024-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Removing trash from Texas waterways is an important step in protecting our environment, and preventing the flow of litter into the Gulf of Mexico. However, cleaning up waterways – from rivers to lakes, beaches to storm drains – can present unique challenges.
Join KTB to learn more about cleaning up waterways in your area, and to hear how we can support your cleanup efforts. Visit this link to register for this Zoom webinar!
Questions about this event? Contact Karla Camacho, karla@ktb.org.

An Evening of Celebration: GEAA 20th Anniversary
2024-05-09 18:30 - 21:00 | Ivy Hall, 1127 South St. Mary’s, San Antonio, TX, 78210
Celebrate the work of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance over the past twenty years. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner catered by Tim the Girl, San Antonio’s very own James Beard Fellow in the lush oasis of the Ivy Hall event space in the King William neighborhood. Proceeds support GEAA and our 57 member organizations whose common mission is to protect our groundwater resources, streams, rivers, flora and fauna, history and culture of the Texas Hill Country. Contributions are tax deductible.
Garden Party Attire is recommended (you’ll want to leave those high heels at home).
For questions regarding the event, tickets, or sponsorships please contact Kellie Fichter at kellie@aquiferalliance.org
