Ever think about how much a bayou can impact a community? Here at Greens Bayou at Ley Road at Houston, we see the culmination of efforts to improve life for residents. Greens Bayou meanders for about forty-five miles. It flows throughout Harris County. The Greens Bayou watershed covers about 212 square miles. It includes four primary streams. These are Greens Bayou, Halls Bayou, Garners Bayou, and Reinhardt Bayou. There are roughly 308 miles of open streams. This includes primary streams and tributary channels. The estimated population within the Greens Bayou watershed is over 800,000 residents as of the 2020 Census.
Greens Bayou Coalition grew from a joint task force in 2002. The North Houston Association and North Houston District organized it. They wanted to address flooding after Tropical Storm Allison. The Greens Bayou Task Force worked with Harris County Flood Control. They also worked with area stakeholders. Their goal was to develop the Greens Bayou Mid-Reach Plan. This plan included basins and about 11 miles of channel improvements. These improvements were planned to reduce flooding in north Houston. Joe Wozny, a task force member, suggested forming a non-profit. He wanted to expand the focus to development within the entire Greens Bayou watershed.
In December 2007, the IRS recognized the Coalition as a 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission was to improve the quality of life for residents along the bayou. They advocated for flood resilience and mitigation. They also focused on developing parks and trails. Preservation of green space, enhancing water quality, and economic development were also key. Volunteers helped prepare the groundwork for identifying priorities throughout the watershed.
In March 2009, the first executive director was hired. They developed a plan for implementing the volunteers’ plans. The Coalition received grants from the National Parks Service and the Houston Endowment. This funding supported a master planning process. They identified needed projects in the watershed. Roughly 200 projects were identified. Greens Bayou Coalition continues to advocate for these projects.
In 2015, Greens Bayou Coalition secured $55 million. This funding was for the Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project on Greens Bayou. Thanks to the Coalition’s efforts, a total of $120 million in flood mitigation projects were undertaken. These projects focused on the mid-reach of Greens Bayou.
Volunteer projects on the bayou have been underway since Fall of 2010. Events include planting trees, cleaning the bayou, and removing invasive plants. The Coalition has built strong partnerships with corporations. Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, SWCA, and NRG are among them. Their employees participate in these events. In 2022, GBC began hosting Trash Bash at Greens Bayou. This is an H-GAC regional cleanup event. The East Aldine District and Harris County Precinct 2 sponsor it. Nearly 100 community volunteers participate each year. They collect almost 1500 lbs of trash and many tires. This cleanup focuses on the bayou, basins, and tributaries near Crowley Park.
In 2014, GBC began its first community program, Kayaking for Kids. This program takes inner city youth on kayaking trips. Certified instructors lead the trips on Greens Bayou. The program starts with a nature walk at Thomas Bell Foster Park. It ends with a kayaking adventure along the bayou. This includes a cleanup event. The Coalition hopes that exposure to nature will inspire some kids to become environmental stewards. In 2023, the Coalition began recruiting for the Greens Bayou Stream Team. H-GAC provides training and water quality testing kits. The goal is to involve adults and students along the bayou’s entire 45-mile length. This will provide a better picture of the bayou’s health to TCEQ.
The North Houston Association selected The Coalition as its 2010 Environmental Award recipient. G-AC’s Parks and Natural Areas Committee recognized The Coalition. They received the planning award for designing Ida Gaye Gardens. This park is for senior citizens. The park also received the Mayor’s Proud Partner Award in 2011. In 2014, Thomas Bell Foster Park received Keep Houston Beautiful’s Mayor’s Proud Partner Award. So when you look at Greens Bayou at Ley Road at Houston, remember the community’s dedication. It is a story of resilience, cooperation, and a shared commitment to a better future.