Innovation Guide - 2020 - 8

The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department
The Woodlands Township operates as a singular 27,000-acre biosphere, in which 42,000 homes,
businesses, schools and churches
function as integrated parts of
a whole. Greenbelts, preserves,
waterways and 148 parks are
omnipresent, weaving continuously through the community.
The challenge of development
is managed through minimizing fragmentation by embracing
native vegetation, backyard habitats, tree preservation, wildlife
management, pollinator support,
water conservation design and
practice, 220 miles of pathway
and more. " Our founder, George
Mitchell, envisioned a community 'in harmony with nature,' " says
Chris Nunes, director of parks
and recreation for the Woodlands Township. " We honor that
vision through innovative open
space design and management,
combatting the challenge of urban disassociation from nature. "
Shepherding these conservation
practices is the Township's Environmental Services Department.
Innovation
The Township's innovative approach to open space design/
management combats the challenge of urban disassociation from
nature. All households are within
a 10 minute walk from a park,
preserve or pathway regardless of
socioeconomic status, equating to
38.3 acres of open space per 1,000
residents - 279 percent above the
national average.
The department's budget allocates dollars for pollinator health,
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Parks & Recreation

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

Innovation in Conservation - The Woodlands
Township, Texas

The Woodlands Township operates
as a singular 27,000-acre biosphere in
which homes, businesses, schools and
churches function as a whole.

and roadways are managed to
maximize habitat value. Addressing drought and groundwaterlevel concerns as the population
increases, the department converted 270,000 square feet of
grass to artificial turf, saving 16.4
million gallons of water annually, moved to native/low-water
use plants, removed unnecessary
irrigation zones and expanded
drip irrigation. To maximize
landfill diversion, unlimited
amounts of residential yard trimmings are collected weekly and
the department implemented
free curbside textile recycling.
Community Engagement
and Partnerships
The Township annually engages
residents through public meetings, environmental outreach programs and a scientifically valid
resident survey every two years.
To address the challenge of invasive plants, the Township formed
a Volunteer Invasives Task Force
in 2019. To support the Board of

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Directors' 2017 proclamation in
support of monarchs, the department coordinates with schools,
businesses, churches and homeowners associations (HOAs) to
develop habitat gardens. When
native milkweed, essential for
monarch reproduction, was
found in short supply, residents
were engaged to propagate
14,000 seedlings for habitat gardens throughout the community.
In 2001, the Township collaborated with Montgomery County
Precinct 3 on an Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) program for
mosquito abatement. In addition,
through partnerships with the
Howard Hughes Corporation,
Texas Master Gardeners and
The Woodlands Garden Club,
the Township has provided more
than 1 million native tree seedlings to residents for planting.
Looking Ahead
The Township bases its long-term
planning on its Pillars of Sustainability, ensuring the community
will continue " living, working,
playing and learning in harmony
with nature. " To that end, 29 percent of The Woodlands (7,700
acres) is held in perpetuity as green
space. A 2011 study found the preservation of green space increased
home values by 16 percent. The resulting property tax revenue feeds
back to the management of those
spaces, bolstering long-term sustainability. In addition, 600 acres
of ponds/lakes provide ecological
and recreational value while upholding stormwater management.
Their positive impact on property
values ensures maintenance and
preservation. And, the Township
solidified its commitment to waste
minimization/diversion through
the 2020 Solid Waste Contract.

Innovation Guide - 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Innovation Guide - 2020