In 2022, Port Houston committed two million dollars towards two community green space initiatives focused on health equity through green spaces.

The first program is carried out in partnership with the Houston Parks Board through the 50/50 Parks initiative. Port Houston is sponsoring two parks, at $500,000 each. The first is Hidalgo Park, right across from our Sam Houston Pavilion, and the second one is Oak Meadow Park, a block away from Pasadena and close to one of our dredged material placement sites. These parks will get additional funds through the Parks Initiative, which will result in a significant revitalization.

In 2023, Port Houston was honored to join the ribbon cutting ceremony for Hidalgo Park. Port Houston helped provide funding for improvements to the park which included a new splash pad, new maritime themed playground, improved sidewalks, improved lighting, painting, and more!

The second program, with an investment of one million dollars, is done in partnership with the small cities and unincorporated areas in East Harris County. We are currently planning to invest in green spaces in Shore Acres, Galena Park, Jacinto City, and multiple SPARK parks throughout the Houston Ship Channel area. This program is grassroots focused and consists of green space needs assessments conducted per city, with input from city officials and community members, and prioritization of needs in those communities.

Both programs are grounded in community engagement with a goal of improving health equity. We are focused on being intentional and listening to the communities we are hoping to support. These programs are scheduled to run until 2024.

Additionally, Port Houston has awarded money to other greenspace initiatives through the 2022 Community Grants Program. Non-profit organizations like Rebuilding Together Houston, Houston Botanic Garden, Native Plant Society of Texas, and Target Hunger are helping provide green programs to improve the local community.

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Caption: Port Houston's Community Relations and Maintenance teams installing Little Libraries at Galena Park High School. 

Little Library Community Initiative

Port Houston and the Galena Park Independent School District partnered to bring some joy to the community. Leaders at Port Houston and Galena Park decided to start the Little Library Community Initiative.
This project began as an idea from one local member and her idea to support her area . With the help of Galena Park ISD librarians, Port Houston team members used their skills to design and build eight custom little libraries for the neighborhood.

Caption: The installation of Galena Park's Little Community Library.

The Little Library Community Initiative provides people of all ages 24/7 access to books and educational materials. These libraries are complete with a planter base filled with native Texas pollinator plants. Students and individuals can use the little libraries to discover a variety of books as well as share a love of reading, both in English and Spanish.

Why does book access matter?

According to Literacy Texas (2022), “Today, more than 43 million people in the United States cannot read or write above an elementary level and around 3 million Texas adults read below a basic level.”² With easy access to mobile devices, computers, social media, and television, it’s getting harder for students and adults to advance their reading and writing skills.

Roughly 63% of children were not reading at the appropriate grade level before the pandemic. That number increased to 72% according to LiteracyNow (2021).⁴

This initiative will encourage Galena Park community members to love reading, increase their access to books of all levels, and increase their comprehension levels with books in different languages.

Houston Yacht Club Boat Parade

Caption: Port Houston's Community Relations team joining the Houston Yacht Club's Opening Day fleet parade. The Port Houston Fire Boat and crew helps lead the way!

Port Houston’s team joined Commodore Farley Fontenot, and the Houston Yacht Club for the 2022 Opening Day fleet parade. The Port Houston Fire Boat and crew helped lead the parade and welcome the participating boaters.

This year the Houston Yacht Club celebrates the 125th anniversary of their founding, and today the oldest yacht club in Texas. (The Houston Yacht Club, 2022).¹ The opening day celebration took place with the traditional boat parade in which members’ boats pass in review and exchange salutes with an anchored officer’s boat. As a strategic leader and advocate for the channel, Port Houston is proud to join and support local recreational users of the Houston Ship Channel and Galveston Bay.

Port Houston is also excited to be a 2022 sponsor of Houston Yacht Club’s upcoming Beacon Group A-Class Catamaran World Championship Regatta taking place in Galveston Bay this May. Participants will be joining from all over the world to compete in the international maritime event. HYC is noted for excellence in race management and hosts 2-3 national or international regattas per year.

References
¹Houston Yacht Club. Home – Houston Yacht Club. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://houstonyachtclub.com/web/pages/home

²Literacy facts. Literacy Texas. (2022, April 12). Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://www.literacytexas.org/impact/literacy-facts/

³Simmons, K. S. (2022, April 22). Texas facing crisis as student reading gap grows during pandemic. ABC13 Houston. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://abc13.com/literacy-illiteracy-education-educators/11776796/

⁴The Problem. Literacy Now. (2021, September 3). Retrieved May 12, 2022, from https://literacynowhouston.org/about-us/the-problem/

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First Port with Renewable Electricity

For nearly 25 years, Port Houston has been the nation’s top port for energy and petrochemical cargo. Starting in 2002, we were the first port authority in the U.S. to achieve an ISO 14001 certification for our environmental management system. Nearly two decades ago, we were already a leader, putting sustainability framework into place, demonstrating that our team was looking not only at our obligations as a port operator, but at what our opportunities were to go beyond the requirements.

This year, Port Houston was the first port authority in the world to choose 100% renewable electricity for the public facilities that we operate. We entered into a 10-year renewable electricity contract where all the terminals that we operate receive electricity from a brand-new solar farm in West Texas. This will lower Port Houston’s carbon footprint by about 25,000 tons each year and save around $250,000 each year.
In relation to renewable electricity, the port has also implemented a CO2 Reduction Program. The greatest part of the CO2 reduction comes from the renewable electricity contract, and the other CO2 reductions comes from efforts such as replacing all high-mast lighting with LEDs, purchasing new hybrid RTG cranes, and, potentially, from installing high-tech building energy management systems.

Not only is Port Houston going all-in on renewable electricity, but it also plays a vital role in wind energy. Texas ranks number one in the nation for wind projects and much of the wind energy components are imported through Port Houston. In fact, this year alone more than 19,000 short tons of wind power equipment have arrived through our docks.

Sustainability for the Future

In between the two milestones Port Houston hit in 2002 and 2020, we have also made several other moves toward sustainability. In fact, the port has reduced its carbon footprint by 55% since 2016 and is on target to reach 70% by 2040. Our environmental leadership strategy has short-term goals like tracking port-generated emissions and long-term aspirational goals like zero-emission ship docking and a 90% reduction of greenhouse gas pollution. Moreover, we are updating the Clean Air Strategy Plan that will formally identify specific actions to reduce emissions from maritime and associated transportation sources at our facilities.

In terms of equipment, Port Houston has continued to stay ahead of the curve by employing new environmental innovations. We’ve committed to purchasing diesel-electric hybrid RTG cranes emitting over 80% less emissions as compared to diesel-only counterparts. In addition, there are a total of nearly 30 electric ship-to-shore cranes across the various Port Houston terminals to reduce our emissions.

But the innovations don’t stop there. Soon Port Houston will be the first port in Texas to use an electric terminal tractor to move containers around Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals. We also recently purchased five new electric vehicles aimed at potentially overhauling our light-duty fleet over the next 10 or so years. Furthermore, we’ve purchased the first “waste shark” drone to help clean up to 350 pounds of litter daily in the Houston Ship Channel and gather data on the water quality.

For the continued concentration on environmental strategies, Port Houston was even a finalist in three categories at the 2020 G&P Global Platts Global Energy Awards. This is a true accomplishment and reflects the progress of Port Houston in its environmental leadership . Everyone at Port Houston is committed to acting now and moving the organization toward a future with increased sustainability and renewable electricity.

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Caption: Port Houston's new electric vehicles. 

This fleet will be used by several Port departments, and three cars will be pool vehicles for employees. Electric vehicles are powered by electricity and have large batteries instead of combustion engines, meaning there are no tailpipes for exhaust. They plug in to charge. Port Houston’s maintenance department installed the charging stations and ran the electrical lines underground at the Port’s facilities.

“Port Houston’s 100 percent asset-based renewable electricity contract makes these electric vehicles truly zero emissions,” said Kelli Gallagher, environmental compliance coordinator for Port Houston. The Port is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 18 metric tons per year by using the vehicles.

The Port is also expected to save more than $400 a year per car as electricity is much cheaper than fuel. Life cycle savings are estimated at seven cents per mile. The vehicles each have a 259-mile battery.

“Port Houston staffers are excited and proud to be using electric vehicles. These vehicles are clean, meaning they pollute less, but they are also more efficient than gasoline-fueled vehicles,” said Mike Gignac, manager of central maintenance for Port Houston.

This effort is one of many measures Port Houston is taking to proactively build on its stewardship and environmental leadership strategy. “Port Houston continues to make greener, environmentally-friendly approaches to our operations as we are committed to being an environmental leader,” said Trae Camble, director of environmental affairs for Port Houston.

Learn more about Port Houston’s environmental initiatives here: https://porthouston.com/environment/.

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Evia Island, a six-acre bird island located along the Houston Ship Channel and the mouth of East Bay, is an extremely important waterbird nesting site in Galveston Bay. With nearly 10,000 nests comprised of 10 bird species, it’s the breeding site with the most nesting pairs in the Galveston Bay system. These bird species include white pelicans, brown pelicans, great blue herons, egrets and roseate spoonbills among others.

Port Houston played a key role in creating this bird island during the last major Houston Ship Channel deepening project in 2005, where the channel was deepened to 45 ft. and 530 ft. wide through Galveston Bay. The island was made from dredged material through a collaborative effort with the Beneficial Use Group led by Port Houston and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and also included Houston Audubon Society.

Helping create and improve environmental features along the Houston Ship Channel is a priority for the team at Port Houston. “Evia Island replaces habitat being lost on the coast. There are plans to create more of these bird islands, throughout Galveston Bay, as a result of the proposed the Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11,” said Kyle Clark, manager of channel improvement at Port Houston. Project 11, currently in the planning phase, will widen the channel by 170 feet along its Galveston Bay reach, from 530 feet to 700 feet. It will also deepen upstream segments, make other safety and efficiency improvements, and craft several new environmental features.

Richard Gibbons, conservation director at the Houston Audubon Society said, “The use of dredge material to recover wetlands and colonial waterbird nesting habitat is an incredible achievement. Fortunately, we were successful in creating one of the most productive nesting islands on the Gulf Coast with Evia Island. The Houston Audubon Society is grateful for the opportunity to work with Port Houston in managing the many thousands of birds that depend on Evia for nesting and year-round roosting.”

The Audubon Society, through a contract with Port Houston, manages Evia Island for colonial waterbird nesting to maintain the island as a productive refuge. Some activities of their habitat oversight include vegetation management to attract specific species of birds and efforts to control fire ants on the island that may impact nests and young bird hatchlings.

For the past five years, Port Houston and the Houston Audubon Society have focused on developing enhanced monitoring techniques to accurately capture the number of nesting pairs utilizing Evia Island. The Audubon Society has incorporated the use of aerial drones and wildlife cameras in their monitoring efforts. The Port has been supporting the Audubon Society with its annual winter bird counts with volunteer staff and boating equipment through its vendors. The unique size and location of Evia Island allows the Audubon Society to test new technologies before use at some of the other extensive sites in Galveston Bay.

Learn more about the environmental benefits of Project 11 at www.expandthehoustonshipchannel.com/benefits/. 

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Port volunteers at Oyster Reef Restoration event.

Port Houston is committed to investing in initiatives that advance environmental stewardship efforts in our region. During Port Houston’s recent Oyster Reef Restoration project, more than 40 port volunteers, including employees’ families and friends, participated in a number of activities to create new habitat for thriving oyster communities.

Volunteers bagged more than 7,140 pounds of shells, which were used to create 32 new feet of oyster reef. Individual mesh bags, containing roughly 30 pounds of recycled, dried-out oyster shells were assembled by volunteers, then loaded into larger plastic bins and floated out into Galveston’s Sweetwater Preserve. The bags were then carefully placed in a pyramid-like structure underwater to create the new reef.

Oyster habitats are vital to the health of Galveston Bay, acting as natural water purifiers that effectively filter nutrients, fine sediments and toxins from the water column. Oysters constantly circulate water through their shell, filtering around two gallons of water per hour.

“Port Houston strives to improve local communities, even when those are underwater communities of oysters,” said Port Houston Director of Community Relations and Events Leslie Herbst.

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Caption: Port Houston Director of Environmental Affairs Trae Camble

Port Houston strives to be an environmental leader in the community, and staff engaged with numerous small businesses during a Small Business Industry-Specific Workshop on Environmental Affairs held recently.

Attendees received an overview of the port’s environmental department, including programs, projects and prosperity. The presentation was made by Trae Camble, Port Houston’s director of environmental affairs.

Port Houston holds an ISO-14001 environmental management certification and manages waste disposal, air and water quality, environmental auditing and stewardship programs at all of its facilities.

The event was held in coordination with the port’s small business development program, which offers a series of workshops for entrepreneurs to learn how to do business with the port.

“We have a variety of environmental projects and services at Port Houston, and a lot of them require contractor support,” Camble said. Notable projects include storm water permitting and environmental testing.

As one of the nation’s busiest ports, the Port of Houston generates nearly $7 billion in business activity annually. More than $547 million has been awarded by Port Houston to registered small businesses since 2002.

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Port Houston’s Bayport Berm Project was awarded for “Robust Community Involvement” at the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s (HGAC) Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence Awards.

The WISE Awards recognize innovative strategies and projects in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving water quality. The winning projects must exhibit efficiency, effectiveness and innovation.

“We are honored to be recognized for this achievement,” said Trae Camble, director of environmental affairs for Port Houston. “We had a number of volunteers participate in the community with us on this project, and our commitment to environmental leadership is an important part of our organizational best practices.”

The Bayport Berm Project supported the development of the new vegetation sight-and-sound berm near the Bayport Container Terminal. The new Seabrook sight and sound berm is a culmination of years of careful planning and industry partnerships. This vegetated berm will provide enhanced mitigation of sound near the Bayport Container Terminal for both the El Jardin and Seabrook communities, while also beautifying the area.

The Port Houston Trees program with Houston Wilderness, a community tree planting project, was also recognized during the ceremony.

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Port Houston team members spent April 13 volunteering at Marsh Mania, a popular environmental project, located at Virginia Point near Galveston. Port Houston team members joined dozens of local organizations and other community members for the nationally-recognized wetlands restoration project, where they planted stems of cordgrass to create new marsh habitat.

“Thanks to all our volunteers and their families for coming out to support this important cause,” said Garret Berg, community relations manager. “Coastal wetlands play an essential role in the overall health of Galveston Bay, and we appreciate all the individuals and organizations that participated.”

In its 21 years, Marsh Mania has involved more than 8,000 community volunteers in the restoration of roughly 209 acres of vital estuarine marsh habitat at 92 sites around Galveston Bay.

“Many of our outreach projects not only help improve the environment, but they also help us engage our Port Houston team members from across the organization in larger initiatives that have wide-reaching benefits we can all enjoy,” said Leslie Herbst, community relations and events director for Port Houston.

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Port Houston strives to be an active steward in the community.

About 30 port team members joined thousands of other volunteers at the annual River, Lakes, Bays N’ Bayous Trash Bash in Pasadena March 30. This annual event is the largest single-day waterway clean up in the state of Texas.

Since 1994, over 100,000 community volunteers have collected more than 2,000 tons of trash and 17,000 tons of recyclables at Trash Bash events.  The program was founded in 1994 by the Houston-Galveston Area Council and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and has grown to 14 sites across the Galveston Bay region.

Port employees also recently showcased their creativity during the Beautify the Bucket Challenge, hosted by the Galveston Parks Board and Artist Boat organization.  This program allows participants the opportunity to take an active role in beautifying the Texas coastline by painting or decorating trash barrels with certain marine or nautical themes.

As part of the program, these barrels were placed along Galveston’s beaches where they will be enjoyed by visitors and help promote environmental stewardship and encourage proper disposal of trash to reduce marine debris.

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