Walk in the Woods Series
In partnership with The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department and The Woodlands GREEN, this free lecture series, Walk in the Woods, spotlights nature in our own backyard, celebrating the rich habitat and wealth of wildlife species found in Southeast Texas. The lecture series meets the second Thursday of each month.
Experts in their field, guest speakers reveal the beauty, natural history, habits and interactions of plants, insects, birds, mammals and other animals. For more information, call 281-210-3800 or e-mail enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
Going Green Sustainability Lectures are about various aspects of sustainability, one of the principle tenets of The Woodlands Community. We are always looking for ideas and speaker on topics relevant to The Woodlands and surrounding areas. For more information email info@thewoodlandsgreen.org.
Check back later or add your name to our mailing list to get lecture updates.
Going Green Sustainability Lectures
Walk in the Woods Series
Explore Nature at Your Back Door
A Series from February thru April and September through November
Previous Going Green Lectures
Lectures - 2018 - click HERE
Lectures - 2019 - click HERE
Lectures - 2021 - click HERE
Going Green Lectures • 2022
Walk in the Woods is free and everyone is invited to attend. Registration is required.
Importance of Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation
Thursday, February 17, 2022
6 to 7 p.m.
The Woodlands Emergency Training Center
16135 IH-45 South
Cathie Coudert
Education Coordinator with Friends of Texas Wildlife
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This presentation focuses on the importance of wildlife care and rehabilitation, creatures you’re likely to encounter in our area, and what to do if you find wildlife in need of help.
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Come meet some of the Friends of Texas Wildlife Animal Ambassadors and leave with a better understanding of how you can help our wildlife neighbors.
Registration required. Sign up HERE
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Thursday, February 23, 2023, 7 PM – 8:30 PM
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Going Green Sustainability Lecture: Not Your Father's Water Meter
Learn how advanced technology makes it easy to reduce household water waste. Join The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. for the Going Green Sustainability Lecture: Not Your Father’s Water Meter on Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Going GREEN is a free lecture series provided to the public. Membership is not required to attend
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Topic: With water demand set to double in Montgomery County in the next 25 years, wise use has never been more critical to our quality of life. Woodlands Water Agency has implemented numerous water conservation strategies over the past 10 years to meet this challenge, including the recent installation of a community-wide Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
AMI digital meters continuously record water usage and link to an internet-based portal, WaterSmart, where customers can…
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View hourly water usage
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Get notified of potential leaks
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Access resources to resolve common leak issues
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Tap into rebates for water-saving devices and native plants
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And much more
This discussion will teach you how to make the most of WaterSmart to better manage your household water use, reduce waste, save money, and prevent headaches. You’ll also learn about other Woodlands Water programs that help you reduce waste and save money.
Speaker: John Geiger is the Water Awareness and Public Education Coordinator for Woodlands Water. John has an MS in Environmental Education and has been coordinating water conservation and sustainability initiatives in The Woodlands since 2014.
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/95330280350
For questions or information about membership, contact us at info@thewoodlandsgreen.org.
A recording will be posted on our Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/.../UCvvYctcDBeSVRVQ_Rf3Dmvw/videos.
Walk in the Woods - 2021
Walk in the Woods: Alligators
Thursday, October 14, 2021
6 to 7 p.m.
Free online class
Take a virtual Walk in the Woods with us as experts reveal the extraordinary plants, wildlife and geography of East Texas. The Fall 2021 Lecture Series will be presented online. Register to receive the link.
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Not able to attend? Check out The Woodlands Township YouTube Channel for a recording of this presentation and many others. For more information, contact enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800.
Alligators
Take a virtual Walk in the Woods with Abbie Ince-Hendrickson and discover one of nature’s most fierce and fascinating reptiles. Abbie will explore their evolution before diving into the amazing biology and behavior of the American alligator. Registration required.
Registration Link: https://environmentalservicesdepartment.wufoo.com/forms/z1aoqx9h1xi1th9/
Thursday, January 27, 2023
YouTube Video of Meeting - Click HERE
The Woodlands Recycling Report
Speaker – Zoe Killian
Program Manger for Keep Texas Recycling Program
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Learn about the current state of recycling in The Woodlands and how you can keep our curbside recycling program strong. Join The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. for the Going Green Sustainability Lecture: The Woodlands Recycling Report on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. LINK
Going GREEN is a free lecture series provided to the public. Membership is not required to attend.
Topic
The efforts of The Woodlands Recycles organization (now The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.) were the driving force that resulted in the award winning recycling program in The Woodlands Township today.
Zoe Killian will discuss the current state of recycling in The Woodlands Township and how residents can support the sustained success of our curbside recycling program. Learn how much material is recycled in our community, how you can recycle right and help fight contamination. Come ready with questions about which items are accepted in The Woodlands.
Speaker
Zoe is the former Recycling Program Coordinator for The Woodlands Township of 5 years and is currently the Keep Texas Recycling Program Manager for Keep Texas Beautiful. As Program Manager for Keep Texas Recycling, she manages and supports rural community programs across the state, communications, and training. She holds a BS from Texas A&M University and is a SWANA certified professional in Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems. In 2022, she was part of the Environmental Services Department team that won an award for Outstanding Public Education & Outreach from Keep Texas Beautiful for the Recycle Right cart tag education program.
How to connect
Save this link for the presentation or visit The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.’s website at www.thewoodlandsgreen.org to view the calendar listing.
Walk in the Woods: Hummingbirds: A Life far from Ordinary
Thursday, September 9, 2021
6 to 7 p.m.
Free online class
Take a virtual Walk in the Woods with us as experts reveal the extraordinary plants, wildlife and geography of East Texas. The Fall 2021 Lecture Series will be presented online. Register to receive the link.
Not able to attend? Check out The Woodlands Township YouTube Channel for a recording of this presentation and many others.
For more information, contact
enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov
or call 281-210-3800.
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Alligators
Take a virtual Walk in the Woods with Abbie Ince-Hendrickson and discover one of nature’s most fierce and fascinating reptiles. Abbie will explore their evolution before diving into the amazing biology and behavior of the American alligator.
Registration required. Registration Link: https://environmentalservicesdepartment.wufoo.com/forms/z1aoqx9h1xi1th9/
Walk in the Woods - 2020
Thursday, November 12, 2020
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Give Wildlife a Second Chance
with Cathie Coudert
Friends of Texas Wildlife
Register here for Zoom link
Thursday, September 10, 2020
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Damselflies and Dragonflies
with Bob Honig
Thursday, October 8, 2020
6:30-7:30 p.m.
The Spring Creek Nature Trail and the Importance of Conservation
with Bill Bass
See Zoom video HERE
23rd Annual Woodlands Landscaping Solutions Drive-Through
Saturday, September 26, 2020
9 a.m. - noon
Sterling Ridge Park & Ride
Free gardening supplies to the first 300 vehicles
More event information here
Encounters with Wildlife
February 5, 2020 • 6:00 p.m. to 7:30
HARC, 8801 Gosling Road
The Woodlands
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Cathie Coudert, Education Coordinator, presents on the importance of wildlife care and rehabilitation, what native creature you may encounter and what you can do if you find an animal in need. Learn what programs and resources are available for you to help give wildlife a second chance and more about Friends of Texas Wildlife.
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See details HERE
Free & open to the public
Registration required • Register HERE
Speaker: Cathie Coudert
Education Coordinator
Friends of Texas Wildlife
Basics of Backyard Beekeeping
February 13, 2020 • 6:00 p.m.
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
6464 Creekside Forest Dr, The Woodlands
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a beekeeper? Not sure where to start, what the neighbors will think or how much work it will take?
Attend the Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture Series on Thursday, February 13, for an introduction to beekeeping at home. This FREE presentation, led by Woodlands residents Lisa and Andrew Miller, begins at 6 p.m. at H.A.R.C.
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DETAILS
Free & open to the public
Registration required • Register HERE
Speaker: Dr. John Tomecek
Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Feral Hogs in a Suburban Landscape
February 5, 2020 • 7:00 p.m.
The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park
6464 Creekside Forest Dr, The Woodlands
DETAILS
Free & open to the public
Registration required • Register HERE
Speaker: Dr. John Tomecek
Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Walk in the Woods • 2019
Our Neighborhood Bats
Diana Foss
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Thursday, September 12, 2019
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Houston Advanced Research Center
8801 Gosling Road, The Woodlands, TX
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Join this FREE lecture series and discuss habitats, behaviors, and threats to bats living in urban areas. Come learn the benefit to having bats in the city and where you can observe bats year round in Houston.
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No Cost. Registration Required. Space is limited.
Register at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment
Vampires, Zombies and Body Snatchers
Megan McNairn
The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department
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Thursday, October 10, 2019
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Houston Advanced Research Center
8801 Gosling Road, The Woodlands, TX
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Join this FREE lecture series and dive into the creepy crawly world of bugs where monsters come to life and ghoulish creatures go bump in the night.
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No Cost. Registration Required. Space is limited.
Register at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment
An Introduction to Birds of The Woodland
Megan McNairn
Buffalo Bayou Park
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Thursday, November 14, 2019
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Houston Advanced Research Center
8801 Gosling Road, The Woodlands, TX
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Join this FREE lectures series that will highlight the interconnectedness of birds with all living things. Alisa will address how to become more adept at observing birds and behaviors and the benefits of documenting observations through iNaturalist.
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No Cost. Registration Required. Space is limited.
Register at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment
Thursday, April 27, 2022
7:00 pm
The 2022 Galveston Bay Report Card
Another Year - How’d We Do?
Speaker – Dr. Erin Kinney
Research Scientist
HARC
The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is sponsoring a Going Green Sustainability Lecture titled “Galveston Bay Report Card; Another Year-How’d We Do?” to be held via Zoom at 7:00 pm, Thursday, November 17, 2022. Dr. Erin Kinney of Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) will be our guest speaker. The Zoom link to the lecture follows: LINK
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Topic: It’s been a year since we last heard from Dr. Kinney and her report on the State of The Bay. She will again be presenting on the most recent annual Galveston Bay Report Card and how the Galveston Bay is connected to local creeks, rivers, and bayous. Dr. Kinney will be covering what we can learn about Spring Creek and the West and East Forks of the San Jacinto River watersheds from the Report Card and how each of us can support our waterways, our watersheds, and ultimately the Galveston Bay ecosystem. The health of the bay is of great importance to our region; economically, recreationally, and environmentally. Join us to learn more about its status and what we as individuals can do to maintain a healthy. vibrant system.
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SPEAKER: Dr. Kinney is a Research Scientist at HARC, specializing in coastal and wetland ecology. Her research interests include wetland restoration, impacts of land use and eutrophication on coastal systems, and carbon and nitrogen cycling in wetlands. Erin graduated with a PhD in biology from the Boston University Marine Program and a BA in environmental and evolutionary biology from Dartmouth College. She previously worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the department of marine biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston and at the Ecosystem Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. ​
Thursday, April 27, 2022
7:00 pm
STOP Litter
Study, Track, remOve, and Prevent
Speaker – Amanda Hackney
Principal/Consultant of Black Cat GIS and Biological Services​
The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is sponsoring a Going Green Sustainability Lecture titled “STOP Litter-Study, Track, remOve and Prevent” The lecture will be held on Thursday, October 27, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. The Zoom link to the presentation can be found at the Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. Lecture section on the front page of the web site: www.thewoodlandsgreen.org. The meeting can also be accessed at https://zoom.us/j/96419801297
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Topic: Study, Track, remOve and Prevent (STOP) is a survey method to gather data on types and abundance of litter. STOP consists of measuring a 100 ft (or less) transect, picking up all trash larger than a cigarette butt in that area, then cataloging items. Participants enter surveys into the Texas Litter Database (txlitter.org) where it is used by scientists for research. We'll talk about results from our first two years of surveys and show how data from STOP can provide detailed information on where (and what!) litter is a problem. YOU CAN’T FIX WHAT YOU CAN’T MEASURE!!!
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SPEAKER: Amanda is a Principal/Consultant of Black Cat GIS and Biological Services. She is a native of deep east Texas and has been working in coastal ecosystems for over 15 years. She holds a BS from LSU in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and a MS from Clemson in Wildlife Ecology. She is currently working on a PhD in Marine and Coastal Management and Science at TX A&M Galveston. Amanda's background is in coastal waterbirds and GIS spatial modeling. She's worked on multiple marine debris projects, including helping to develop and refine the STOP litter survey program.​
Thursday, April 27, 2022
7:00 pm
Becoming A Monarch Champion
Amber Barnes
Sustainable Landscapes Education Specialist
The Woodlands Environmental Services Department​
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Pollinators – bees, moths, butterflies, beetles and more - have faced a drastic population decline in recent years. The Monarch butterfly is no exception as their population has decreased over 90% the last few decades. Pesticides, herbicides and habitat loss have left monarchs fighting to stay off the endangered species list. The good news is that communities across the country are taking up the fight to save the monarch, including The Woodlands. Recently designated by the National Wildlife Federation as the 10th Monarch Champion city in North America, The Woodlands devotes significant resources towards monarch and pollinator conservation.
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Speaker: Amber Barnes is the Sustainable Landscapes Education Specialist for The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department. She oversees many programs and events for the Township that focus on creating wildlife and pollinator habitat, the benefits of native plants, community gardening events, volunteer tree plantings, and more. This year she's helped launch two new programs that she's very proud to offer to our community: Backpack Birding Program, for residents to borrow equipment, at no cost to go birding, and the new summer movie series: Sunset Cinema where environmentally themed movies will be shown for free this summer at Northshore Park.
Amber is passionate about creating habitat for wildlife both throughout the community and in her own backyard and she hopes to inspire you to do the same!​
Thursday, March 24, 2022
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Bird Friendly Communities:
What's good for birds is also good for people
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Lisa Gonzales
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Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Texas
To view video of meeting click HERE
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TOPIC: The presentation will provide an overview of National Audubon Society initiatives that connect conservation activities to communities across the state. Audubon’s work in Texas includes coastal restoration projects, landowner engagement efforts on rural landscapes, community science programs, and campaigns to expand urban habitats and create a safer built environment for our feathered friends. Because, where birds thrive, people prosper. From urban centers to rural towns, communities can provide important habitat for birds. In turn, birds offer us a richer, more beautiful, resilient, and healthful place to live.
SPEAKER: Lisa Gonzalez serves as Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Texas, the state office of the National Audubon Society. At Audubon, Lisa leads a dedicated team of professionals working to advance on-the-ground conservation, science, policy, and education initiatives to protect birds and the places they need across the Lone Star State. Lisa joined the National Audubon Society in 2021, after a nearly 20-year career with the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) serving in programmatic and executive leadership roles. She applies ecological data analytics, equitable community engagement, and sustainability best practice to advance conservation outcomes in alignment with issues such as climate change, nature-based infrastructure, green building, water management, and renewable energy. Lisa has led numerous local initiatives including the Quiet Invasion invasive species field guide series, invasive species risk assessments, State of Galveston Bay reports, and the Galveston Bay Report Card. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University at Galveston and the University of Houston Clear Lake and is a PhD candidate in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University. Lisa resides in northeast Houston where she enjoys backyard birding and is member of the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force, the Board of Directors of the Bayou Preservation Association, and the Advisory Council for Texas Sea Grant.
Don’t miss this informative talk. Together we can make a difference. We look forward to seeing you on the 24th.
Date: Thursday, March 24, 2022
Time: 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 24, 2022
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Plastic and the Circular Economy:
How we can stop the waste and close the loop
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Jennifer Ronk
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Senior Sustainability Manager, Dow’s Plastics and Packaging
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NEW: Video to Meeting: Click HERE
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The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is sponsoring a Going Green lecture entitled “Plastic and the Circular Economy” to be held via Zoom at 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 24th, 2022. Jennifer Ronk, Sr. Sustainability Manager for Dow’s Plastics and Packaging business will be our guest speaker.
Access the meeting by clicking on the following ZOOM address:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82539758009
The link to the presentation can also be found at The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. Lecture Section on the front page of the web site: www.thewoodlandsgreen.org
We all know of the multifaceted problems associated with plastics. And after years of reducing and recycling, we know that these problems won’t just “go away”. However, new tools and methods are already in place in the industry, and our February lecture will feature some of the changes underway.
Topic: Jennifer's talk will look at how the old model of a take-make-waste economy needs to transition to a more sustainable circular model where resources aren't wasted and people's needs are met equitably. The transition to a circular is already underway, with initiatives in the US and across the globe. Jennifer will discuss these activities along with Texas-specific initiatives to usher in this transition. In addition, Jennifer will discuss the challenge of plastic pollution and marine debris and the work that is being done to help keep our oceans safe.
SPEAKER: Jennifer Ronk is currently a Sr. Sustainability Manager for Dow's Plastics and Packaging business, where she works to keep plastic out of the environment and part of a circular economy all while protecting the climate. She is on the Board of Directors for Houston Wilderness, Montgomery County MUD 47, and Ameripen (an industry association for packaging and the environment). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale School of Environment
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Don’t miss this informative talk. Together we can make a difference. We look forward to seeing you on the 24th.
Date: Thursday, February 24, 2022
Time: 7 p.m.
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Thursday, January 27, 2022
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
2021 Watershed Communities
Taking Action to Improve Water Quality: Spring Creek Partnership
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Rachel Windham, Planner, H-GAC
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Teri MacArthur, Environmental Education Specialist, The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department
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Link to Video of Meeting HERE
While we all appreciate and enjoy the Mitchell Preserve, Spring Creek Greenway and many other trails and paths along Spring Creek, the unfortunate fact is that Spring Creek itself has been designated “impaired” by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) because of excessive amounts of fecal bacteria. Our speakers will discuss the sources, proposed solutions, what’s already being done to address the problem, and how The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is supporting the current projects.
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Ms. Windham will discuss the interconnectivity of local watersheds and some of the common challenges impacting the quality of water in our own Spring Creek. She will also outline strategies for responding to these challenges that can be carried out at individual, local, and regional levels. As an example, she will highlight progress made by the Spring Creek Watershed Partnership—a community led organization working to improve water quality in Spring Creek and its tributaries, including Panther and Bear Branches, through the development of a Watershed Protection Plan.
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Erin Kinney, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at HARC specializing in coastal and wetland ecology. Her research interests include wetland restoration, impacts of land use and eutrophication on coastal systems, and carbon and nitrogen cycling in wetlands.
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Speakers: Rachel Windham is a Planner in the Community and Environmental department at H-GAC. Since joining the department in 2019, she has worked on watershed projects focused on improving water quality through reductions in pollution and contaminant loads from point and non-point sources. Before joining the H-GAC, Rachel accrued over 10 years of experience as a researcher on multiple water quality and environmental projects in the Lower Galveston Bay Watershed. She is a proud alum of the Texas A&M University Galveston Campus where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Master of Marine Resources Management degrees.
Teri MacArthur is Water Conservation Specialist for the Environmental Services Department of the Woodlands Township and has been a certified Texas Master Naturalist for more than 20 years. Teri has been a trainer for volunteer water quality monitors as part of the Texas Stream Team program for 15 years, working through H-GAC as a local Clean Rivers Program partner. Water conservation, and monitoring the water quality of Spring Creek and its tributaries, has been a passion for over two decades. Prior to working for The Woodlands, she served as a naturalist at area parks and preserves.
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