Follow Environment to get its updates in your weekly digest.
Right now81°F Clear89%
Air, water, and climate in Houston
Environmental advocates, community scientists, and neighbors are protecting Houston's air, water, and land.
Learn something newGuides, stories, and explainersFind resourcesServices and programsGet involvedWays to take part
Events
4
Organizations
263
New to Environment? Start here.
Air QualityHouston has some of the worst air quality in the country. The monitors, regulations, and organizations tracking what we breathe.Animal WelfareShelters, rescue organizations, spay/neuter programs, and the people caring for Houston's animals.Bayou RestorationHouston's bayous are its lifeline. The cleanup, restoration, and ecological work bringing them back to health.
Explore Environment
Areas to explore
Focus areas organize the resources, events, organizations, guides, and decisions in this pathway. Start with a major area, or search for something specific.
Air QualityHouston has some of the worst air quality in the country. The monitors, regulations, and organizations tracking what we breathe.Land ConservationPrairies, wetlands, and the undeveloped land that Houston keeps losing. The organizations fighting to save what's left.
Clean EnergySolar, wind, and the clean energy transition happening in the energy capital of the world.
Sustainable AgricultureFarming that doesn't deplete the land. Regenerative practices, organic growing, and sustainable food production.Local Food SystemsFarm-to-table, urban farms, and the food systems keeping production close to the people who eat it.
Water ConservationSaving water in a region that cycles between drought and flood. Conservation programs and smart water use.Wildlife ConservationBirds, bats, turtles, and the wildlife that shares Houston's bayous and prairies. Conservation and habitat protection.Climate ActionHouston's climate action plan and the local organizations pushing for real commitments on emissions, resilience, and justice.Show up this week
2Sep
3Sep
Over 170,000 properties projected to move into the high-risk 100-year floodplain
Properties moving into the 100-year floodplain (draft FEMA maps)
Source: FEMA/Harris County Flood Control District MAAPnext draft flood maps, as reported by KHOU
About 200,000 acres, up from 150,000 under current maps (+33%)
100-year floodplain area under draft FEMA maps
Source: FEMA/Harris County Flood Control District MAAPnext draft flood maps, as reported by KHOU
7th worst of 228 U.S. metro areas for high ozone days
Houston metro rank for ozone pollution
Source: American Lung Association, State of the Air 2025 (2021-2023 monitoring data)
34.8 unhealthy ozone days per year (grade F)
High ozone days per year
Source: American Lung Association, State of the Air 2025 (2021-2023 monitoring data), Harris County
About 2.0 million tons of carbon stored (valued at $272 million)
Carbon stored by the urban forest (City of Houston)
Source: Houston's Urban Forest, 2015 — USDA Forest Service with Texas A&M Forest Service
18%
Tree canopy cover (City of Houston)
Source: Houston's Urban Forest, 2015 — USDA Forest Service with Texas A&M Forest Service
The bigger picture
Environment doesn't exist in a vacuum. Everything is connected.
In their own words
Every time it rains more than an inch, my street turns into a river. I have lost two cars.
Community reportsHouston
We sandbagged again last week. This is the third time since January.
Community reportsHouston
My kids cannot get to school when it floods. We miss days every month.
Community reportsHouston
Insurance dropped us. Nobody will cover this zip code anymore.
Community reportsHouston
The drainage project was promised in 2021. Still waiting.
Community reportsHouston
Flooded in Tax Day, Memorial Day, Harvey. Three floods in two years.
Community reportsHouston
Decide & do
Policies being decided
What city hall, the county, and the state are weighing on this — and how to weigh in.
01Request for approval of an interlocal agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Galveston, granting an easement for the operation and maintenance of a drainage ditch located on Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Project Barker Dam and Reservoir (Barker Reservoir Watershed, HCFCD Unit T103-00-00, Agreement No. 2026-46, Precinct 4).policyHarris County Commissioners Court02Request for approval of change in contract No. 1 with Arrowstone Contracting, LLC, for the Lauder Stormwater Detention Basin - Compartment 2 (Greens Bayou Watershed, Project ID P500-06-00-E007, Job No. 25/0394, Precinct 2, MWBE Contracted Goal: 31.50%).policyHarris County Commissioners Court03Request for approval of a temporary right of entry with San Jacinto River Authority, to gain access to conduct work on a detention basin project along Jackson Bayou (Jackson Bayou Watershed, Bond ID F-107, Project ID R500-01-00-E001, Agreement No. 2026-28, Precinct 3).policyHarris County Commissioners Court04Request by the Flood Control District for approval to accept an amendment to an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to increase grant funds in the amount of $6,750,000, with a required match of $1,687,500 and extend the period of performance to August 31, 2028, for the State and Tribal Assistance Grant Program (San Jacinto River Watershed, Bond ID F-014, Project ID G103-80-03.1-E001/G503-06-00-E001, Precinct 3).policyHarris County Commissioners Court05Request for approval of an award on the basis of low bid to Juan & Son Contracting LLC in the amount of $493,225 for construction of the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin - Phase 2 - for the Flood Control District, and for the County Clerk to execute any applicable bonds to be received (260145), MWBE Contracted Goal: 29%.policyHarris County Commissioners Court06Request by the Flood Control District for approval to accept from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Assistance grant funds in the amount of $959,752, with a required match of $239,938, for the FY24 Community Project Funding for Keegans at Old Richmond Road Stormwater Detention Basin (Brays Bayou Watershed, Bond ID F-07, Project ID D518-03-00-E002, Precinct 4).policyHarris County Commissioners Court07Request for approval of a renewal option with Houston Spraying & Supply, Inc / DBA Sprayco for herbicide application at various channels and basins for the Flood Control District for the period of November 1, 2026 - October 31, 2027, at a cost of $1,125,750, and for the County Clerk to execute any applicable bonds to be received (240251), MWBE Contracted Goal: 25%, MWBE Current Participation: 32.71%.policyHarris County Commissioners Court08Request for approval of an award on the basis of low bid to DVL Enterprises, LLC in the amount of $2,529,680 for minor repairs for White Oak Bayou (2026) for the Flood Control District, and for the County Clerk to execute any applicable bonds to be received (260098), MWBE Contracted Goal: 14.92%.policyHarris County Commissioners Court09Request by the Office of Management and Budget for approval of an order authorizing the issuance, sale and delivery of Harris County Flood Control District Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2026A; levying a continuing direct annual ad valorem tax for the payment of principal and interest; authorizing the authorized representative to approve the amounts, interest rates, prices, terms and redemption provisions thereof; approving the preparation of financing documents and prescribing the terms and form thereof; authorizing the preparation and distribution of an Official Statement in connection with the sale of the bonds; and making other provisions and other activities regarding the issuance and administration of such bonds including the opening of bank accounts.policyHarris County Commissioners Court10Request by the Office of the Purchasing Agent for approval of an award on the basis of low bid to Waste Corporation of Texas, L.P. dba GFL Environmental (Primary); and Waste Management of Texas, Inc. (Secondary) in the amount of $773,850 for landfill services to accept type IV, non-putrescible, non-compacted solid waste and recycling materials for Harris County and the Flood Control District for the period of July 9, 2026 - July 8, 2027 with four (4) one-year renewal options (260115), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Minimal MWDBE Availability.policyHarris County Commissioners Court
Explore more
Services, programs, and benefits offered for this pathway.
