Today, 63% of Americans feel that environmental issues are major contributors to climate change which affects their local communities. If you’re a Texan looking to minimize that impact, there are plenty of avenues that you can pursue.
In Harris County alone, there are approximately 28,520 organizations that serve many purposes, all of which aim to improve the quality of life for everyone. From animal welfare to education, these organizations work tirelessly to achieve their missions.
Fortunately, Houston is also home to several organizations whose objective is to conserve the environment and protect natural areas that are at risk.
There are 237 environmental organizations in the greater Houston metro area, including the cities of Houston, Baytown, Conroe, Galveston, Sugar Land, and the Woodlands.
Environmental organizations in Texas range in size and have a variety of objectives, so in this article, we highlighted some of the best in the state.
Table of Contents
10 Environmental Organizations in Houston Texas
Read below to learn about a few of the organizations in Houston and how they are helping to improve our environment and the quality of life for humans and animals alike.
- Citizens’ Environmental Coalition
- Bayou Land Conservancy
- Air Alliance Houston
- Houston SPCA
- The Texas Conservation Alliance
- Galveston Bay Foundation
- Keep Texas Beautiful
- Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE
- Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition
- EarthShare Texas
1. Citizens’ Environmental Coalition
Citizens’ Environmental Coalition was founded in 1971 by a group of citizens concerned about the quality of life in Houston. Since 1971, CEC has been connecting the environmental community.
The CEC’s mission is to foster education, dialogue, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston/Gulf Coast region. CEC connects with concerned residents and community leaders.
They share, support, and enhance their efforts and environmental advocacy. This is done through their programs, which include events that enhance understanding, and publications that give a balanced perspective on environmental issues.
CEC partners with about 100 environmental organizations in the Houston/Galveston area.
2. Bayou Land Conservancy
Bayou Land Conservancy is focused on preserving the land along streams for flood control, clean water, and wildlife. BLC permanently protects lands in and around Houston, as they have preserved a total of 14,187 acres.
Furthermore, BLC conducts programs to inform people about the need to protect the environment, such as the Spring Creek Greenway Ambassador program, which is a free adult environmental education program, and the No Child Left Inside education program, which connects tomorrow’s conservation leaders with nature today.
3. Air Alliance Houston
This is a non-profit environmental organization that is focused on fighting for clean air to protect the health of the people of Houston and all over the world.
Air Alliance Houston believes that clean air is a right held by all humans through research, education, and advocacy.
Air Alliance Houston’s primary goal as they work together is to improve air quality, protect public health, and achieve a healthier future for all. Because Houston is home to the United States’ largest petrochemical hub, millions of pounds of pollution are released into the air each year by way of these facilities.
Heavy traffic is another source of air pollution in Houston. Unfortunately, Houston has never met the national air quality standard for ozone levels, as major chemical incidents happen frequently and industries rarely get reprimanded for illegally releasing pollutants into the air.
This air pollution and its resulting poor air quality put many people at risk for health complications. Asthma attacks, heart attacks, cancer, and the risk of other illnesses increase when air quality is poor.
Specifically, Air Alliance Houston thoroughly researches changes in air quality and how to improve negative changes so that they can better understand the impact of air quality on public health.
They go further to educate the public about the state of Houston’s air quality and provide communities with the tools necessary to fight for clean air.
Air Alliance Houston works with these communities, advocacy groups, policymakers, and the media to inspire policies that will improve air quality and, in turn, improve the quality of life for everyone.
4. Houston SPCA
The Houston SPCA was founded in 1924 and has been providing care and service to animals. This is the first and largest animal welfare organization in Houston and is committed to keeping animals safe from abuse and exploitation.
Not only do they provide care to domestic animals, but they also protect and rescue horses, farm animals, and native wildlife.
The Houston SPCA offers several services and programs to the Houston community, which include sheltering and rehoming animals, a 24-hour injured animal rescue ambulance, animal cruelty investigations, programs for children, educational programs, community outreach, and disaster relief.
They also help to find loving homes for animals in their care whether through adoption partners or in animal sanctuaries.
In 2018 alone, the Houston SPCA to care of about 45,000 animals, investigated 6,000 cases of animal cruelty, provided 6,500 lifesaving surgeries and procedures, rescued 2,400 animals using their emergency ambulance, adopted 6,500 animals into new homes and reached over 200,000 people through their Humane Education programs.
5. The Texas Conservation Alliance
The Texas Conservation Alliance is an environmental organization focused on protecting Texas wildlife, habitats, and the environment.
Through education and by working together with other conservation organizations in the state, the TCA has advanced numerous issues to help the Texas environment.
For example, in 2020, the TCA advocated against the Marvin Nichols Reservoir. This reservoir is supposed to be constructed to supply water to the growing Dallas-Fort Worth area but would flood 66,000 acres of forests and ranch land.
The TCA emphasizes that there are cost-effective and less damaging ways to supply water to the metroplex.
6. Galveston Bay Foundation
The Galveston Bay Foundation or GBF, is a non-profit organization founded in 1987 whose mission is to keep Galveston Bay healthy and productive for a sustainable future.
This organization addresses an array of issues related to Galveston Bay. Through various programs, the Galveston Bay Foundation serves to preserve and protect Galveston Bay while also educating others about the importance of keeping this area healthy and flourishing.
Galveston Bay Foundation’s advocacy programs allow this organization to guard Galveston Bay by reviewing a wide variety of projects that might affect the bay and seeking solutions to disputes among the many diverse groups that actively use Galveston Bay.
Through their advocacy, the Galveston Bay Foundation has successfully helped pass state and federal legislation that will protect Galveston Bay.
In wetlands, Galveston Bay has lost more than 35,000 acres of wetlands in the past fifty years. The conservation programs supported by the Galveston Bay Foundation work to preserve and restore the wetlands in this area.
The wetlands present in Galveston Bay are home to some wildlife, such as shellfish and wild birds. In addition to their importance for wildlife, these wetlands also filter water and naturally improve the water quality in surrounding areas.
These wetlands must remain intact to help keep the water clean, healthy, and safe from potential pollution caused by industrial processes. The wetlands of Galveston Bay also help to control flooding which is especially important to the city of Houston and its inhabitants.
Furthermore, the education initiatives of Galveston Bay Foundation aim to create a well-informed public, from young children to public officials and policymakers.
These education programs use scientific environmental evidence to inform the citizenry about how a flourishing and robust Galveston Bay can improve the quality of life for the entire Houston and Galveston communities.
Some education programs offered by the Galveston Bay Foundation are the youth-focused program “Bay Ambassadors” and the school-based marsh grass nursery program “Get Hip to Habitat.”
7. Keep Texas Beautiful
Keep Texas Beautiful is dedicated to keeping communities clean and green. It primarily does this in two ways, through cleanups and recycling programs. This organization is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful.
During its cleanup exercises, community volunteers go to pick up waste and litter. Its events include the Great American Cleanup and the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off.
Through these programs, Keep Texas Beautiful removes litter from roadsides, city parks, neighborhoods, and waterways.
Educating Texans about Keep Texas Beautiful’s efforts is also a primary focus of the organization.
Keep Texas Beautiful educates Texans about recycling programs in their area. It has a list of recycling affiliates that it works with and also provides grants to support some of those affiliates.
8. Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE)
The Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating Texans about the importance of combating climate change.
It does this primarily through canvassing, where organizers either call Texans or go door-to-door to engage them in the conversation.
With the help of these canvassing efforts, TCE has facilitated the passing of numerous pieces of legislation.
Also in recycling projects, TCE has helped implement recycling projects in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Fort Worth.
9. Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition
Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition provides services for native and non-native Texas wildlife that are found in Houston and surrounding areas.
The organization specializes in the care of small mammals, migratory songbirds, small raptors, and reptiles. The goal of the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition is to rehabilitate the animals in its care. After successful rehabilitation, these animals will be released back into the wild.
Care for wildlife can be provided in two different ways at the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition. Which are: through in-home rehabilitation and on-site Animal Care Programs.
The Animal Care Program offers care for lower-risk animals and gives members of the community a chance to get involved with the care and rehabilitation of wildlife through volunteer opportunities.
This organization holds four core values, each of which reflects its care and concern for vulnerable wildlife. These core values include compassion, stewardship, commitment, and Leadership. The core values are significant to the organization and represent the organization’s passion.
Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition’s first core value is compassion which allows them to appreciate and believe in the dignity and worth of all living beings, including wildlife.
Their second core value is stewardship, this value inspires the organization to help the public see the significance of conservation and how protecting and rehabilitating native Texas wildlife is beneficial for all.
The third core value commitment reflects the dedication that this organization has, to working together as a community to fulfill their mission of wildlife rehabilitation.
Each member of the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition community is encouraged to challenge and inspire each other to become the best caregivers and professionals in their field.
The final core value of this organization is leadership. The members of this organization aspire to create future leaders in this field through their work with organizations including Boy and Girl Scouts as well as local universities and colleges.
10. EarthShare Texas
EarthShare Texas works to support Texas Environmental Organizations by providing funds to a variety of Texas environmental organizations that are considered its member charities.
The member charities are vetted by EarthShare Texas, to ensure that the funds given to them are put to good use.
EarthShare Texas is extremely different from other organizations with 93% of the money it receives going directly to the expenditure of its Program. Most organizations don’t come close to this.
Conclusion
These and many more are some of the environmental organizations in Houston that are advocating for a cleaner and healthier environment. Not only within the United States but also the world at large.
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Ahamefula Ascension is a Real Estate Consultant, Data Analyst, and Content writer. He is the founder of Hope Ablaze Foundation and a Graduate of Environmental Management in one of the prestigious colleges in the country. He is obsessed with Reading, Research and Writing.