Hello and welcome to my blog, Saving the Houston Piney Woods: A Conservation Journey. My name is Marilyn and I’m a writer, graduate student, coordinator, and garden volunteer (but maybe not in that order).

I’m so glad you’re here! My intention for this blog is to write about 1) the Piney Woods of northeast Houston/ east Texas; and 2) share some of the fantastic conservation work taking place in the Greater Houston area.

A note about the blog’s dedication to the Piney Woods: Despite my traveling not as often through the Piney Woods this season compared to 2023-2024, I remain attuned to the ongoing sale and development of the land. I am still determining how best to advocate for the Piney Woods, on this blog and beyond.

In the works, but not in limbo

My original goal has been to post once a month if possible. However, December saw the wrap-up of my final class project, and a Christmastide season filled to the brim with social commitments and travel. Then, 2025 got off to a ferocious start (and it’s not going to stop anytime soon—I have a full semester, the last class for my Certificate—and there’s also an administration tossing out executive orders in full fury).

Despite time hurtling through these past two months, I’ve still been compiling material for posts, albeit in bits and pieces. I’m still not ready to post yet about the three topics I mentioned in my November 2024 post (returning to the Big Thicket National Preserve, reviewing David W. Swanson’s book Plundered, and sharing highlights of my favorite Gulf Streams episodes).

As the three potential topics mentioned above are still in the works (but not in limbo), here is something more immediate I can write about now.

An event worth your time

I now volunteer with the Houston Botanic Garden (where I’m also a member!) The Garden, or HBG, is one of my all-time favorite places in Houston, ever since it opened to the public in 2020.

This upcoming Saturday, Feb. 8^th, 2025, HBG leadership will host the Garden Success Symposium: Conservation in Action. (The featured photo at the top of this post is from a past HBG Symposium).  

From 9 am-2 pm, this exciting event will cover the Garden’s conservation efforts, to conservation tips for managing one’s own garden, followed by ideas for how to incorporate data and technology in home conservation.

The ticket for non-members is $40, and for members is $30. General Admission, access to all lectures and discussion, and coffee & lunch are included with the ticket. Parking is free during the day.

You can register HERE (the link is also on the event webpage).

Hope you can make it!