HARC

A sweet sign of progress at HARC!

Our friends at Alvéole recently completed a hive inspection and spotted a capped honey frame, an encouraging sign that our campus bee colony is thriving. 🍯

As the bees stay busy throughout the season, they're doing more than making honey. Pollinators play a critical role in supporting healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and resilient landscapes.

We're excited to continue supporting these tiny but mighty workers and sharing updates from the hive. 🌼

Learn more about HARC’s bees: https://bit.ly/HARCBees

“I got to see the students I work with everyday step into leadership roles and really shine.” — Gemma Rodriguez 🌳

As an environmental education intern with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), Gemma Rodriguez supported urban forestry and community engagement efforts through the ForUsTree partnership led by HARC.

One of her favorite moments during the internship was coordinating a tree planting event at Endeavour High School, where students helped lead the effort alongside volunteers and community members. Through the experience, Gemma was able to build strong relationships with students and help create opportunities for them to grow their confidence, leadership skills, and connection to their community.

Programs like ForUsTree not only help expand Houston’s tree canopy, but also empower young people to become environmental leaders in their own neighborhoods. 🏠🌳

Learn more about ForUsTree at forustreehtx.org

Is LID really taking off in Houston? 🌧️🌱

In these clips from HARC’s recent virtual LID event, panelists Isham Khan ( Greenrise Technologies), Steven Johnston ( Houston-Galveston Area Council), Tanzeem Chowdhury (Houston Public Works), along with HARC’s moderator, Dr. Ryan Bare, discuss what’s driving adoption, and what’s still holding it back.

From encouraging favorable regulation and incentives to growing private sector interest, they highlight how LID is gaining traction across the region. They also touch on the importance of coordination across planning, design, construction, and maintenance, and why visibility and proper training are key to long-term success.

The takeaway: LID is growing in Houston, but making it mainstream will take more incentives, raising awareness of its wide-ranging benefits, more real-world data, and continued collaboration.

Learn more about HARC’s LID in Houston project: https://bit.ly/LIDHTX

To help raise awareness of LID and encourage widespread adoption across Houston, HARC’s team organized a virtual LID event and panel discussion.

Check out some key highlights and insights from our team from the event, featuring Dr. Ryan Bare, HARC’s Director of Nature-Based Solutions, and Dr. Jen Irving, Senior Research Associate in Environmental Health and Community Engagement.

You’ll hear more about the unique characteristics all LID practices share and learn about the stormwater quality results from the two real-world LID practices we monitored in the LID in Houston project, demonstrating measurable improvements in water quality, habitat creation, and reducing impervious surfaces.

As Houston continues to grow, solutions like LID can help build a more resilient, water-smart future.

Learn more about HARC’s LID in Houston project https://bit.ly/HARCLID

Learn more about Dr. Bare https://bit.ly/RyanBare

Learn more about Dr. Irving https://bit.ly/JIrvingMPH

🎙️ A new episode of Energy Crossroads is here!

How are corporate sustainability strategies evolving beyond reporting and into real-world impact? And what does it take to prepare a global city like Houston for a more sustainable future ahead of the World Cup? ⚽🌎

In this episode, Elizabeth Carlson, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tricon Energy, joins host Marina Badoian-Kriticos, HARC’s VP of Strategic Initiatives, and guest co-host Dr. Erin Kinney, HARC’s Manager of Coastal Resilience and Communities, to discuss the future of corporate sustainability, Houston’s World Cup sustainability efforts, and the long-term resilience opportunities shaping our region.

🎧 Tune in now to hear the conversation https://bit.ly/EnergyCrossroads