Texan by Nature is pleased to announce a generous gift from Phillips 66, a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company based in Houston, Texas, designated for use for the  Conservation Wrangler Projects Exploration Green Conservancy and Texas Children in Nature.

Exploration Green

The gift will help transform a defunct golf course in the Clear Lake area near Houston into an integrated urban green space, featuring a wetland.  The project will enhance wildlife habitat at the same time providing stormwater mitigation.

“Texan by Nature’s Conservation Wrangler Projects highlight the very best in Texan-led conservation, and Exploration Green Conservancy is no exception. Their focus on protecting area homes from harmful floodwaters while simultaneously creating wetland habitat for hundreds of plant and wildlife species showcase a unique and effective approach to re-visualizing urban development of green spaces.” – Christie Cowan, Texan by Nature

With a vision to create an innovative stormwater detention center, Clear Lake City Water Authority (CLCWA) purchased the defunct Clear Lake Golf Course property in 2011. The Bay Area of Greater Houston community needed a solution to mitigate the devastating seasonal flooding they were recurrently faced with, which was only worsened by 40+ years of residential and commercial development. In addition to stormwater detention, CLCWA aspired to use the land as a wildlife habitat and recreation space.

Early phases of the project saved over 150 homes from flooding during Hurricane Harvey and completely mitigated flooding during 2019 Tropical Storm Imelda. In addition to stormwater relief, the conservation area improves water quality, provides carbon sequestration, as well as creates habitat for native plants and wildlife, protecting over 900 native species to date. Exploration Green also encourages area residents, from all walks of life, to utilize trails and attend weekly community events.

Texas Children in Nature

The gift allows the project to partner with hundreds of conservation organizations across Texas to connect them with the best youth-focused nature-based programming available, encouraging children and families to spend more time outside enjoying the mental and physical health benefits provided by nature.

 “Texan by Nature’s Conservation Wrangler Projects highlight the very best in Texan-led conservation, and Texas Children in Nature is no exception. Their focus on creating quality resources for more Texas families to get into nature allows for organizations from across the state to access the best practice, programs, and publications available. By acting as a central hub and ensuring these organizations are collaborating effectively, Texas can shine as a premiere example of addressing the critical need of ensuring children are spending adequate time in nature.” – Christie Cowan, Texan by Nature

TCiN achieves its mission of connecting children with nature by leading Regional Collaboratives, consisting of youth-focused organizations, that provide local, hands-on programming from 8 regions across the state. Regions impacted include Caprock, North Texas, Austin, San Antonio, Pineywoods, Houston, Coastal Bend, and the Rio Grande Valley with two more to come in El Paso and Waco.

Through their Regional Collaboratives efforts, TCiN works with over 500 local and state partners in health, education, community development, and conservation fields. In 2019 alone, TCiN partners engaged over 4 million Texas families with nature-based initiatives. TCiN serves as a statewide networking hub, participating in statewide leadership teams, providing resources to encourage children and families to spend time in nature, and addressing pressing issues such as equity and access to the outdoors, community development, and public health policy.

About Phillips 66

Phillips 66 is a diversified energy manufacturing and logistics company. With a portfolio of Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties businesses, the company processes, transports, stores and markets fuels and products globally. Phillips 66 Partners, the company’s master limited partnership, is integral to the portfolio. Headquartered in Houston, the company has 14,500 employees committed to safety and operating excellence. Phillips 66 had $55 billion of assets as of June 30, 2020. For more information, visit www.phillips66.com or follow us on Twitter @Phillips66Co.

About Texas Children in Nature

Children who spend time in nature are healthier, happier and smarter. In 2010 the Texas Children in Nature Network (TCiN) was created to address the growing concern of the lack of nature in children’s lives. TCiN achieves its mission of connecting children with nature through regional collaboratives across the state – working with over 500 local and state partners in the health, education, community development and conservation fields. TCiN serves as a statewide networking hub, participating in various statewide leadership teams, providing resources to encourage children and families to spend time in nature, and addressing pressing issues such as equity and access to the outdoors, community development and public health policy. Visit https://www.texaschildreninnature.org/ for more information.

About Exploration Green

In the Southeast Houston, dedicated groups are transforming a defunct golf course into an innovative stormwater detention center. Exploration Green provides an integrated, natural solution for catastrophic seasonal flooding holding up to 500 million gallons of stormwater, while also serving as a nature preserve and recreation area. Nearby NASA Johnson Space Center, this urban parkland will offer nearly 40 acres of both wetlands and permanent lakes, supporting over 900 native species. Exploration Green will be the largest park space in Clear Lake benefitting outdoor enthusiasts and recreationalists from over 2,000 nearby homes. Visit https://www.explorationgreen.org/ for more information.