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The Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Roundtable's mission is to "assist in the development of public policy initiatives to expand parks and natural areas in the 13-county H-GAC region for the improved quality of life, habitat, and water quality".
This group meets in a roundtable format, does not consist of a formal board, and is open to anyone interested in participating.
Next Meeting - Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable
Fall Park Tour - Exploration Green
Date and Time
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
10 a.m. - Noon.
Event Location
Exploration Green
16205 Diana Lane
Houston, TX 77062
We will meet at Exploration Green for a walking tour and then drive to the volunteer wetlands planting nursery. We will learn more about the projects during the gentle 1-mile (approx.) stroll along paved paths.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown Houston and near NASA's Johnson Space Center, Exploration Green is a nationally recognized green space and detention area providing extensive flood control services and natural areas. The 200-acre green space offers permanent wetlands and permanent detention lakes. It is home to more than 1,000 native animal and plant species.
The award-winning project, a partnership between the Exploration Green Conservancy and the Clear Lake City Water Authority, demonstrates exemplary work in flood control, stormwater wetlands, resilience, conservation, habitat preservation, community engagement, and greenspace creation.
Among its numerous awards, Exploration Green has been honored multiple times by the Houston-Galveston Area Council through our annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards, Our Great Region Awards, and Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards programs.
Transportation will NOT be provided to Exploration Green. Carpooling is encouraged.
Past Meetings
September 9, 2024
Attendees learned about the current Parks and Natural Areas Awards program and engaged in a round table discussion on project updates. Attendees also heard from several presenters.
- Ashley R. Morgan-Olivera, Director of Research and Education/Outreach for the Texas Invasive Species Institute at Sam Houston State University, discussed invasive species in the Houston-Galveston region, their removal, and reporting them on Texasinvasives.org.
- Bryan Frazier, Brazoria County Parks Department Director, discussed award-winning projects and updates and renovations to facilities.
- Eric Heppen, Harris County Precinct 3 Senior Project Manager, discussed designing parks using templates.
- Rachel Windham, Houston-Galveston Area Council Senior Planner, provided an update on the annual Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence Awards.
Note: Everett Neucere, H-GAC Senior GIS Analyst, was scheduled to discuss a new, online interactive trail mapping tool, but postponed the presentation due to time.
May 15, 2024
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable enjoyed a park tour of parks in Bridgeland on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. Participants learned about parks and programs in the community, including award-winning projects, such as Chrysalis Lake Park.
Roundtable Park Tour
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Bridgeland in May 2024.
February 9, 2024
Attendees celebrated the winners in the 2023 H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Awards program. We learned about the award-winning projects and heard about equity in parks and natural areas planning.
November 17, 2023
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable enjoyed a field trip to Galveston on Friday, November 17, 2023. Participants learned about parks and programs on the island, including award-winning projects such as the Women in Coastal Science Program. Participants visited East Beach, Sea Wolf Park and Dellanera RV Park, and learned more about East Lagoon, the Seawall, and Stewart Beach.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Galveston in November 2023.
September 11, 2023
( 6)
Attendees learned about prairies through presentations and an expert panel discussion, and heard about the H-GAC 2023 Parks and Natural Areas Awards program and the fall field trip to Galveston.
May 18, 2023
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable enjoyed a field trip to Timber Lane Utility District Parks in Spring on Thursday, May 18, 2023. The parks have won more than a dozen H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Awards since 2006.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Timber Lane Utility District in May 2023.
February 10, 2023
( 5)
Attendees celebrated the winners in the 2022 H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Awards program. We learned about the award-winning projects and heard about new trends in park development from industry experts.
November 17, 2022
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable enjoyed a field trip to Rick Rice Park on Thursday, November 17, 2022. The park is a 2015 winner in H-GAC's Parks and Natural Areas Awards and is owned and operated by Interstate Municipal Utility District.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Rick Rice Park in November 2022.
July 11, 2022
( 5)
May 13, 2022
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable enjoyed a field trip to Clear Creek Nature Center on Friday, May 13, 2022. The park is a 2021 winner in H-GAC's Parks and Natural Areas Awards and is owned and operated by the City of League City.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
Roundtable Field Trip
Members of the Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable visit Clear Creek Nature Center in May 2022.
March 14, 2022
( 5)
February 11, 2022
( 1)