About Exploration Green
In Southeast Houston, dedicated groups of volunteers are transforming a defunct golf course into an innovative stormwater detention center and green space.
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. Located near NASA's Johnson Space Center, this 200-acre urban green space provides the community with countless opportunities to explore, offering 40 acres of both wetlands and permanent detention lakes, home to over 1,000 native species.
Questions about Exploration Green Construction?
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The Clear Lake City Water Authority (CLCWA) manages the construction (excavation) phase of the Exploration Green stormwater detention lakes. Please visit the Clear Lake City Water Authority's Exploration Green Detention Facility web page for announcements and the the most current updates on construction activities and progress.
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If you cannot find the information you need on the CLCWA's web page, please contact them at (281) 488-1164
Exploration Green Remains Open, Please Exercise Caution due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
The Clear Lake City Water Authority will follow orders of Harris County and the City of Houston concerning the public access to county and city parks during the current coronavirus outbreak. Exploration Green will remain open to the public as long as county and city parks are open but will close on the same schedule as Harris County and Houston parks in the future.
Upcoming Events
Exploration Green Tree Nursery Work Days
The Exploration Green tree nursery holds volunteer work days to "up-pot" (transplant growing trees to larger pots and unbind the roots), weed the tree pots, clear other weeds from the mats, and check the irrigation system). These work days are scheduled as needed, depending on what work needs to be done. They are not scheduled months in advance as before. When they are scheduled, they are held on Saturday mornings, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon).
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Please e-mail explorationgreen@gmail.com if you are interested in being added to the distribution list for future tree nursery maintenance events.
Exploration Green has relaxed COVID-19 limits on the number of tree nursery volunteers per event, and no long requires volunteers to wear masks. Volunteers are encouraged to wear masks and maintain social distancing while volunteering.
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Volunteers should continue to bring their own water and snacks.
Exploration Green in the News
Golf course turns to flood detention center
By Ashley Acuna, The Battalion/Texas A&M University
Oct 23, 2023
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At the end of September, a flood detention site made from an old golf course completed its final phase with A&M’s help.
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Exploration Green is a 200-acre mitigation and nature park in Clear Lake, Houston. The site was transformed from an unused golf course to a floodwater detention center to prevent the surrounding community from being flooded.
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery Unit is a part of the Texas Community Watershed Partners, or TCWP, that controls the wetland — the backbone of holding the stormwater back.
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Click the image at left to read the full article.
Exploration Green Honored by City of Houston at Final Ribbon Cutting
City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin honored the Clear Lake City Water Authority with a Certificate of Special Recognition at the Final Ribbon Cutting held Saturday, 09/30/2023.
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In addition to Mayor Pro Tem Martin, Houston Councilmembers Sallie Alcorn and David Robinson also attended, expressing their appreciation for the project and its benefits.
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After Hurricane Idalia, we must invest in disaster mitigation
Jessie Ritter, Josh Sewell
Published September 8
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"NOAA estimates that U.S. coastal wetlands alone provide $23.2 billion in storm protection each year. Nature-based solutions can also provide the surrounding communities with a wealth of ecosystem services, like cleaner air and water, recreational opportunities, increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration. One example is the Exploration Green Project in Texas, which transformed a defunct golf course into a 200-acre nature park and stormwater detention center, providing significant flood-risk reduction."
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Click the image at left to read the full article.
Great Texas Birding Classic Raises Thousands for Habitat Conservation
Sept. 5, 2023
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
AUSTIN— The Great Texas Birding Classic, the biggest, longest, wildest birdwatching tournament in the country, raised $47,000 for projects benefitting native Texas habitats and species...
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Winning Birding Classic teams get to select which projects to fund. This year, conservation grants were awarded to:
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$10,000 Weeklong Conservation Grant (Statewide) – Selected by Two Eagles & a Chick, sponsored by Deep South Marine, LLC
Project: Native Tree Planting at Exploration Green – submitted by Exploration Green Conservancy
Project Location: Clear Lake/Houston, Harris County
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Click the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department logo at left to read the full article.