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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Spotlight on Environeer Engineering Consulting, LLC.

Established in 2018, Environeer is a Texas-based minority-owned engineering consulting firm specializing in Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS)permitting and compliance programs. Co-founder Michael (Xiaoyu) Zhang is an environmental engineering leader, entrepreneur, and Navy Reserve officer with more than 10 years of experience in this field. Michael considers himself as a passionate mountaineer working in environmental engineering industry, thus where the company name came from.

Environeer is committed to connecting knowledge and experience to help clients innovatively and cost-effectively solve complex EHS challenges. They are working with the Port Houston environmental team on an executive study regarding chlorinators and drinking water systems centered around the Buffalo Bayou. Other notable projects they have completed include conducting Phase I & II environmental site assessments, preparing air/water/waste permit applications, performing wetlands delineation, implementing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), developing EHS management systems (ISO14001 & ISO45001), and EHS auditing & training.

Environeer was selected as a Rising 10 award winner by the Asian Chamber of Commerce and an Emerging 10 award winner by Houston Minority Supplier Development Council.

“As one of the graduates from Opportunity U administered by Port Houston, it’s been a fantastic experience. Throughout the program, we learned how to develop business fundamentals, understand government contracts and bidding processes, and how to become more bankable. The program gave us the opportunity to network with Port Houston decision makers and receive mentorship from experienced professionals. Our goal is to become a prime in the next few years and provide other S/MBEs with the same support we received from the Port. The partnership and friendship we formed with Port Houston’s staff, peer S/MBEs, and primes will continue to cultivate.

As small business owners we wear many hats. Personally, besides Environeer, I’m a Navy reserve officer leading sailors to build airstrips, bridges, and facilities globally; I’m an adjunct professor at Lone Star College teaching Environmental Science; and, I’m also a father of three and husband to my beautiful wife. No matter what hat we’re wearing, remember to give back to the community and pass the torch to the next generation.” – Envrioneer Engineering Consulting, LLC. Co-founder Michael (Xiaoyu) Zhang

Spotlight on SD Candy Company

SD Candy Company has been operating in the catering and concessions industry since 2008. They are a Port Houston registered minority, woman-owned business and has provided sweet treats to Port Houston’s employees, like custom popcorn gift bags and designed sugar cookies.

Established by Danielle Green and Tamicha Roberts, SD Candy Company provides organizations of all sizes multiple options for fun, satisfying food. On the catering side, the company offers unique, theme designed, interactive dessert stations and savory stations including funnel cakes, ice cream, caramel apples, mini pizzas, and tacos. SD Candy Company also offers affordable candy, party favor, and gift basket services for all occasions, from children’s birthday parties to large scale corporate events.

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The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority has authorized an interlocal agreement with Harris County to receive environmental grant funding under the Harris County Local Initiative Project at a public meeting Dec. 12.

The project is funded by the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality, obligating the port to provide equal matching funds towards the program.

The grant funding furthers the efforts of the port’s Clean Air Strategy Plan in achieving its local match to reduce diesel air emissions due to port-related activities.

The project will help eliminate approximately 12,000 kilograms of nitrogen oxide and other emissions.

Port Houston’s Clean Air Strategy Plan strives to reduce real and sustainable maritime and port-related emissions. The multi-source, multi-pollutant program has found economically feasible ways and means to achieve emission reductions throughout the port area.

The grant will assist in the purchase of 528 industrial outlets, which will be installed in a location where refrigeration (reefer) trucks park.

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Port Houston staff participated at Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s “KBR Kids Day” event at Guadeloupe Plaza Park Oct. 7.

As one of the founding partners of the Partnership's “Clean and Green Program,” Port Houston was at the event celebrating the 10th anniversary of these special bayou clean-up efforts.

The “Clean and Green” year-round program was designed to eliminate trash from Houston's historic Buffalo Bayou, including where it meets the Port of Houston, one of the world's most dynamic seaports.

KBR Kids Day is one of the Partnership’s signature events with thousands of children and families attending every year. Guests enjoyed activity stations, entertainment, food and games. Port Houston had a model display of the Houston Ship Channel for visitors to engage with throughout the morning.

“This is a fun learning experience for the kids. We had a great time visiting with the community, educating them about the Houston Ship Channel and the history and significance of this Texas waterway,” said Trae Camble, environmental compliance coordinator at Port Houston.

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Port Houston proudly partnered up with the Galveston Bay Foundation to host one of the statewide clean-up sites for the Texas General Land Office's Adopt-A-Beach event at Morgan's Point Sept. 23.

Over 100 community volunteers, including Port Houston employees, worked together to clean up more than 4,500 pounds of trash and recyclables along a half a mile stretch of Texas shoreline. Port Houston's environmental department took the initiative to supply the additional trash bins and recycling bins needed for the collection effort.

This year's event was especially important due to the recent damage and flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. The Adopt-A-Beach program focuses on efforts to raise public awareness and educate citizens about the source of debris, with the goal of keeping Texas beaches clean and safe.

In addition to the cleanup efforts, all aluminum cans collected during the event were donated to Cans for Canines, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for service dogs.

“We really appreciate all the organizations’ and volunteers involved in this year’s clean-up event,” said Garret Berg, assistant community relations manager for Port Houston.

“Their support and hard work has been tremendous and helped us focus on our environmental efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. It’s special to see so many community members come together to clean up and restore our local beaches after a terrible storm event like that.”

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