Replenish the canopy

Get a jump start on Arbor Day: How and where to volunteer

Arbor Day takes place on Jan. 21 in Houston.
Photo via USFS Region 5
Thousands of trees in Memorial Park were lost after the drought.
Photo by Whitney Radley

Over the past year, Houstonians have dejectedly watched our signature trees darken and die.

Arbor Day is just days away, and the time has come to start replenishing the canopy and contributing to that improvement in a physical — or fiscal — capacity.

Houston Parks and Recreation Department director Joe Turner has called for the public's assistance in replanting the "more than 7,000 trees [that] have been removed from our parkland and greenspaces."

Hermann Park: Register online with the Hermann Park Conservancy
MacGregor Park: Email Jessica with Trees for Houston
Mason Park or Memorial Park: Email Oneika McCarthy

Those dedicated to a long-term sponsorship can take responsibility for a park or greenspace and head up a two-year watering commitment for any new trees planted in that space; if interested, contact Oneika McCarthy.

If you prefer to contribute monetarily, the Memorial Park Conservancy has initiated a tree donation program as part of the park's massive reforestation effort. The forested municipal park spans 1,466 acres and lost thousands of trees to drought.

Individuals can contribute just $75 for a loblolly pine, $100 for a bald cypress, $150 for a Southern magnolia, $200 for a sycamore or $250 for a post oak. Those trees will be planted in accordance with soil composition and the forest's needs, and donors can keep track of the tree's location in a web-based tree roster. See the brochure for more information.

"We have worked with three different forestry experts over the year to develop a plan for the drought," Nancy Sullivan, executive director of the Memorial Park Conservancy, told CultureMap. Alterations have been made to that original plan, which includes tackling invasive species, looking into site preparation work and planting donated saplings.

"The Memorial Park Conservancy will also plant some trees on Arbor Day in conjunction with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, the Houston Marathon and CenterPoint Energy," said Sullivan — a total of 40 trees in commemoration of the Chevron Houston Marathon's 40th anniversary.

How do you plan to help?

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana