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Awards & Recognition

Exploration Green and its primary partner organizations Clear Lake City Water Authority, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., and the Exploration Green Conservancy have garnered numerous awards and widespread recognition for their work developing our combined storm water management facility, recreation facility, and native habitat.

2024 H-GAC Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Award +

2023 City of Houston Certificate of Special Recognition +

2023 Space City Rotary LEAP for Mankind Award +

2022 Harris County Precinct 2 Proclamation +

2022 Texas Environmental Excellence Award - Finalist +

2021 Project Award for Public Infrastructure +

2021 Treasure of the Bay +

2020 Conservation Wrangler +

2019 Treasure of the Bay +

2019 Texas Engineering Excellence Award, Gold Medal for Exploration Green Phase 1 +

2019 H-GAC Parks and Natural Area On-the-Ground Project over $500k +

2019 H-GAC Our Great Region 2040 Excellence Award+

2019 FEMA Case Study Recognizes Exploration Green as Effective Floodplain Management +

2019 People’s Choice Award +

2019 Finalist, Development of Distinction +

2018 Special Service Award +

2018 Allied World Resilience Award +

2018 Guardian of the Bay +

2018 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition from Keep Houston Beautiful +

2018 Exploration Green Day Proclamation by Mayor Sylvester Turner +

2018 Stormwater Management Green Infrastructure (Second Place) +

2016 H-GAC Our Great Region 2040 “Connections Award” +

2015 American Association of Landscape Architects Texas Chapter Honor Award to SWA for Exploration Green +

2015 Trees for Houston “Arbor Award” +

2014 Exploration Green Day Proclamation by Mayor Annise Parker +

2013 Certificate of Recognition +

2013 H-GAC “Planning Award for Parks and Natural Areas” +

Plan your visit

What to do, see and learn

  • Hike/bike/roller blade six miles of ADA compliant trails along five lakes.

  • Scavenger Hunt

  • Bird Watch

  • Study Nature

Map

Hours

Dawn to dusk 365 days a year

 

Learn More

2024 H-GAC Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Award

Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)

According to Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) website, "The Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards recognize innovative Projects, Programs, or Individuals in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving and protecting water quality."


Click image on the right from more information.
2024 HGAC - WISE Award.jpg

2023 City of Houston Certificate of Special Recognition

Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin

City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin honored the Clear Lake City Water Authority with a Certificate of Special Recognition at the Final Ribbon Cutting held Saturday, 09/30/2023.

In addition to Mayor Pro Tem Martin, Houston Councilmembers Sallie Alcorn and David Robinson also attended, expressing their appreciation for the project and its benefits. 

Click image on the right to view the award.
2023 City of Houston Certificate of Special Recognition

2023 Space City Rotary LEAP for Mankind Award

Rotary Club of Space Center

"Each year, the LEAP for Mankind Awards recognizes an individual and a business exemplifying Leadership, Excellence, Achievement and Philanthropy, while making a significant impact on the current and future lives of the families of the Bay Area. This year's honorees are Robert "Bob" Mitchell for the Individual Award and Exploration Green Conservancy for the business award. There will also be special honorary tribute to Mary Alys Cherry for her tireless support of non-profits and philanthropic causes in the Bay Area for more than 50 years."

Click image on the right to view the award.​
2023 Space City Rotary LEAP for Mankind Award

2022 Harris County Precinct 2 Proclamation

Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Harris County Precinct 2, Adrian Garcia, Commissioner, recognized Exploration Green by issuing a proclamation “to celebrate the awesome success and approaching completion of the five large detention lakes able to detain 500,000,000 gallons of storm water, surrounded by trails, vast green space, and happy, protected residents.”

Click image on the right to view the award.
2022 Harris County Precinct 2 Proclamation

2022 Texas Environmental Excellence Award - Finalist

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
 
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) recognized the Exploration Green Conservancy as a finalist at its annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Banquet, in the Civic/Community category.

Click image on the right to view the award.
2022 Texas Environmental Excellence Award

2021 Project Award for Public Infrastructure

Association of Water Board Directors - Texas 

At their Mid-Winter conference held in Galveston, the Association of Water Board Directors - Texas, their 2021 Project Award for Public Infrastructure was presented to the Clear Lake City Water Authority for the construction of Exploration Green.  The award was based on innovativeness, ability to be replicated by other governmental entities, community support, and multiple benefits to the community.  Present to receive the award were Jennifer Morrow, General Manager of the CLCWA, CLCWA Directors John Branch and Anthea Guest, and Bill Rosenbaum from the construction engineering firm LAN.

Click image on the right to view the award.
2021 Project Award for Public Infrastructure

2021 Treasure of the Bay

Texas Master Naturalist Galveston Bay Chapter T

The Exploration Green Conservancy was recognized for its initiative and commitment to innovative stormwater solutions that connect the community to local natural resources.

Click image on the right to view the award.
2021 Treasure of the Bay

2020 Conservation Wrangler

Texan by Nature (TxN) 

April 1, 2020 – TEXAS – Texan by Nature (TxN), a Texas-led conservation non-profit announced today that Exploration Green Conservancy has been named among the 2020 Conservation Wranglers. The organization’s Conservation Wrangler program recognizes six innovative conservation projects across the state of Texas for their science-based and results driven approach to conservation along with their ability to positively impact people, prosperity, and natural resources. The 2020 Conservation Wranglers will work with the Texan by Nature team, receiving 12-18 months of dedicated program support and tailored resources. “Every year, Texan by Nature shines a light on conservation stewards and their efforts to take care of the state I’m proud to call home,” shared former First Lady and Founder of Texan by Nature, Mrs. Laura Bush. “The Conservation Wrangler program proves that collaborative partnerships in conservation yield great benefits for Texas and its people. Congratulations to the six 2020 Conservation Wranglers, and thank you for the terrific example you’ve set for the rest of us.”

Click image on the right to view the award.
2020 Conservation Wrangler

2019 Treasure of the Bay

Texas Master Naturalist Galveston Bay Chapter
 
The Clear Lake City Water Authority was recognized for showing great foresight in getting community input to design a natural recreation area around a much needed storm water detention area. The addition of native trees and wetland plants provide a wonderful habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife while the wetland plants help cleanse the water before it enters the Bay.  All of this was made possible by the great partnerships and volunteer efforts coordinated by Exploration Green Conservancy.

Click image on the right to view the award.
2019 Treasure of the Bay

2019 Texas Engineering Excellence Award, Gold Medal for Exploration Green Phase 1

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Texas Division
 
According to civil + structural ENGINEER Media, “The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Texas awarded civil engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) a gold medal for its work on the first phase of the Clear Lake flood control project in Harris County…
 
The Engineering Excellence Awards Competition has been held by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas since its inception in 1975 to honor and recognize outstanding achievements within the engineering community. A panel of judges around the state select projects based on innovation, future value to the engineering profession, social and economic considerations, complexity and exceeding the client’s needs.”

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2019 Texas Engineering Excellence Award

2019 H-GAC Parks and Natural Area On-the-Ground Project over $500k

Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
 
According to Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) website, "H-GAC established the Parks and Natural Areas awards program in 2006 to highlight best practices and innovative approaches to parks planning and implementation. H-GAC honors projects in the categories of Projects Over $500,000, Projects Under $500,000, Planning Process, and Policy Tools."

Click image on the right to view the award.

2019 H-GAC Our Great Region 2040 Excellence Award

Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
 
According to the H-GAC 2016 Awards Showcase, “Exploration Green is a partnership project of the Clear Lake City Water Authority and Exploration Green Conservancy. The project transformed a defunct golf course into a 200-acre multi-purpose stormwater detention, nature habitat, and community recreation area. Surrounding apartments and homes, previously in decline, have started to revive economically as area residents enjoy the trails and nature habitat.”

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2019 H-GAC Our Great Region 2040 Excellence Award

2019 FEMA Case Study Recognizes Exploration Green as Effective Floodplain Management

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Case Study date 09/09/2019

A recent Case Study from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated "Exploration Green (EG) stands as an ideal example of what is possible as a result of collaboration within a community to achieve long-term, sustainable mitigation of flood-related damage to residential, civic, and commercial structures, while improving quality of life for the people and businesses in the surrounding community."​

Click here from more information.

Click image on the right to view FEMA video.

2019 People’s Choice Award

Urban Land Institute
 
According to the ULI Houston website, “The prestigious award recognizes developments and open spaces that demonstrate best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management and is modeled after the national Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence.”

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2019 People’s Choice Award

2019 Finalist, Development of Distinction

Urban Land Institute

According to the ULI Houston website, “The prestigious award recognizes developments and open spaces that demonstrate best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management and is modeled after the national Urban Land Institute Global Awards for Excellence.”

Click image on the right from more information.

2018 Special Service Award

Houston Sierra Club
 
According to the Houston Sierra Club website, “Exploration Green Conservancy is another local group that exemplifies the Sierra Club’s “grassroots” ethos.  Local residents down near Clear Lake and Ellington Airport, saw the value in saving an old golf course from development and then turning it into a community asset that reduces flooding, increases public park land, provides for wildlife habitat via wetlands, wildflower, and tree plantings, and gives people a place to walk in a great natural setting.”

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2018 Special Service Award

2018 Allied World Resilience Award

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
 
According to NWF’s press release, “Recognizing a best-in-class example of using natural infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities, Houston’s Exploration Green is being honored with the National Wildlife Federation-Allied World Resilience Award."

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2018 Allied World Resilience Award

2018 Guardian of the Bay

Galveston Bay Foundation


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Exploration Green begins at 1:17 minutes into the video.

2018 Guardian of the Bay

2018 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition from Keep Houston Beautiful

Mayor Sylvester Turner's Proud Partners Program and Keep Houston Beautiful
 
The Office of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner recognized the Exploration Green Conservancy and Clear Lake City Water Authority for “making a positive impact on Houston’s environment.”

Click image on the right to view the award.
2018 Mayor’s Proud Partner Recognition from Keep Houston Beautiful

2018 Exploration Green Day Proclamation by Mayor Sylvester Turner

City of Houston
 
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner commemorated the grand opening of Exploration Green Phase 1 by proclaiming April 24, 2018 “Exploration Green Day."

Click image on the right to view the award.
2018 Exploration Green Day Proclamation by Mayor Sylvester Turner

2018 Stormwater Management Green Infrastructure (Second Place)

National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA)
 
“Exploration Green transformed an out-of-use golf course into a 200-acre nature park and stormwater detention facility,” said Dr. John Jacob, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist with the recreation, park and tourism sciences department of Texas A&M University in College Station. “For more than a decade we have been involved in the planning and implementation of actions to repurpose this golf course and surrounding area into a green space with water detention features and recreational areas.”

 Click image on the right from more information.
2018 Stormwater Management Green Infrastructure (Second Place)
Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
 
According to the H-GAC 2016 Awards Showcase, “The Clear Lake City Water Authority’s (CLCWA) Exploration Green project offers an example of creative thinking in this arena. Exploration Green has set aside land for both active recreation and stormwater detention through a coalition between the CLCWA and two partner organizations: the Galveston Bay Foundation (holding the conservation easement) and the Exploration Green Conservancy (responsible for maintenance).”
 
Click image on the right from more information.

Exploration Green appears on Page 4 of the 2016 Awards Showcase document.
2016 H-GAC Our Great Region 2040 “Connections Award”
American Society of Landscape Architects
 
Landscape architectural firm SWA Architecture Group, creator of the detailed Exploration Green Master Plan, received national recognition for the concept and quality of the project’s Master Plan.

 
2015 American Association of Landscape Architects Texas Chapter Honor Award to SWA for Exploration Green

2015 Trees for Houston “Arbor Award”

Trees for Houston
 
Exploration Green Conservancy and Executive Board Member Debra Goode both received an annual Arbor Award from Trees for Houston, our highly acclaimed partner for acquiring, nurturing and planting native Texas trees.
2015 Trees for Houston “Arbor Award”

2014 Exploration Green Day Proclamation by Mayor Annise Parker

City of Houston
 
Houston Mayor Annise Parker commemorated the groundbreaking of the Exploration Green project by proclaiming April 12, 2014 “Exploration Green Day.”

Click image on the right to view the award.
2014 Exploration Green Day Proclamation by Mayor Annise Parker

2013 Certificate of Recognition

Mayor Annise Parker's Proud Partners Program and Keep Houston Beautiful Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
 
“In recognition of the Clear Lake City Water Authority’s ‘tremendous efforts on behalf of our city,’ Keep Houston Beautiful honored the Exploration Green flood control, conservation and recreation project with a special Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Annise Parker’s 2013 Proud Partners Program and Keep Houston Beautiful at a recent ceremony.”

​Click image on the right to view the award.
2013 Certificate of Recognition

2013 H-GAC “Planning Award for Parks and Natural Areas”

Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
 
“Exploration Green and the Clear Lake City Water Authority were awarded the 2013 Planning Award by the Houston-Galveston Area Council last week, approved by the H-GAC board chaired by Houston Judge Ed Emmett. The influential government planning organization ranked the local partners’ planning for the Clear Lake green space at the top of nine public space development plans across the Houston region.”

Click image on the right to view the award.
2013 H-GAC “Planning Award for Parks and Natural Areas”

Donate

Creating the Green’s 200-acre park and conservation area has been a major undertaking. Unlike city or county-owned parks, the Conservancy must raise all the funds for the amenities and services offered - native trees and grass, hike and bike trails, educational programs, and other infrastructure like park benches and signage.

Would you like to help? We are always looking for people and organizations to provide financial support for the Green!

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