Bayou Preservation Association

WELCOME

The Bayou Preservation Association is a citizens' group whose mission is to "protect and restore the richness and diversity of our waterways". BPA facilitates collaborative projects and public awareness about the region's streams and bayous in order to foster watershed management, conservation, and recreation along Houston's defining natural resource.

Houston calls itself the Bayou City. With over 2,500 miles of waterways, protecting and transforming the bayous into "beautiful ribbons of green" makes good sense. If properly managed, they can provide recreational opportunities close to neighborhoods, scenic views to offset the stress of city living, and reduce flooding by maintaining the water-absorbing qualities of the floodplain.

Since the 1950's many of the natural streams of Harris County have been converted into single-purpose storm sewers. Many streams were "channelized" (sides dug out and uniformly sloped) and lined with concrete to increase the flow of water through them. Trees and habitats were destroyed to "improve" our naturally occuring drainage systems. Concrete bayous were constructed with no concern for aesthetics. Unfortunately, this is the image of a bayou that many Houstonians have.

BPA advocates a "watershed management" approach to flood control, which controls flooding by managing the amount of water leaving a watershed and also balances the needs for storage, conveyance, habitat, recreation and aesthetics.

From tree plantings to town meetings to policy review, BPA is working to affect responsible management of our bayous and put nature back into our stream corridors.

On this site you will find a wealth of information about the bayous, watershed management, and how you can become involved.

Stop Trashing Houston- Anti-Trash Campaign Heats Up!

Heavy trash violations can now be reported by calling 3-1-1 or clicking on Stop Trashing Houston. Do your part to help clean up Houston NOW!

Help strengthen our ocean and fish protection. Click the link to see how.

DONATIONS

To make on online donation to the Bayou Preservation Association via the non-profit organization click this link Network for Good. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of all contributions go back to the Bayou Preservation Association.

For information regarding the security of the transaction, read this page from the Network For Good website.

BPA is a member of EarthShare. Though a payroll deduction program, EarthShare offers employers and employees interested in environmental issues the opportunity to support the BPA. Click the EarthShare link to find out more.

Privacy Statement: Your personal information will not be shared with anyone other than the Bayou Preservation Association and the payment processor to securely process this transaction.

New
3/5/2008: A new mapping application based on ArcGIS Server technology is being tested by BPA. The mapping data will ultimately be cached for rapid performance. However, if you want to try the new application, click the following link:

Watershed Maps
Updated versions will continue to appear over the next few weeks.

New
The BPA has become a charitable organization of www.giveline.com. When you purchase an item from the website, you can make a donation directly to the BPA! Visit Giveline today!

New
2007 BPA Symposium - Bacteria In Our Bayous: Water Quality Standards and Restoration Options, October 15-16, 2007. For more info click Symposium

New
Read the Spring 2007 Bayou Forum - the BPA newsletter

New
"Shipwrecked on the Bayou"
click the Gala link for information on the BPA's 8th Annual Gala "Shipwrecked on the Bayou" September 19, 2007

New
"Linking Wetland Alteration to Coastal Flooding: predictors, consequences and policy implications" - presentation by Samuel Brody

Fish Kills!
To report fish kills to Texas Parks and Wildlife, call 281-842-8100 (line is open 24/7)

Did you know it's now illegal to blow leaves and grasses into the streets and storm gutters? If you see this happening call 311 to report it.

Air Quality in Texas TODAY

Disasters R Us - check out this website for daily tropical weather updates

Hurricane Tracking Chart

Check it out
We're adding new items to our calendar all the time - see what's coming up in and around Houston!

2007 River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash - read all about it.

CEC 2006 Synergy Awards presented to three members of the BPA Board. Check out News/Events for more details.

BPA received the 2006 Trees for Houston Arbor Day Award!

American Canoe Association presented its 2005 Green Paddle award to the BPA.

Our Community:

Water Quality Problems or Complaints: HCPHES

Keep Texas Beautiful - click the link to see how you can help to keep Texas beautiful!

Want information on rain water harvesting? Check out the links to get examples and how to calculate it! (By Mike Mecke, Texas Water Resources Institute.)

Arts on the Bayou

Writers in the Schools Program - "The Poem A Day" Initiative

Bards on the Bayou poetry contest winners!

WELCOME

Thursday, May 15, 2008