The Environmental Services Department is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated, independent individuals to join the Mosquito Team. Increase your field and laboratory experience while being an important part of this public health and outreach program.
Work as part of a team to monitor for mosquito-borne diseases
Deploy traps throughout The Woodlands that target different species
Use your interpersonal skills while sharing information with the public
Delve into the world of mosquito anatomy and identification in the lab
Expand your knowledge of water conservation, recycling right, sustainable landscapes and more supporting Environmental Services programs and events
Positions are from mid-May through end of November with an opportunity to extend the term of employment (can also accommodate students returning to college in August).
Applications will be accepted until April 16, 2021, or until position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. View the full job description here.
Questions? Email enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call Environmental Services 281-210-3800.
Established in 2005, the mission of the Mosquito Surveillance & Education Program is to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission for the protection and wellbeing of The Woodlands residents through the application of Integrated Mosquito Management. Learn what you can do to target mosquitoes.
Were your plants damaged by the winter storm? If you’re unsure where to begin in the recovery process, we can help. Before you dig, cut, prune or chop let these local experts guide you through the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri.
Many resources have become available in the last week. We’ve included a short list of archived videos and articles below. If you are looking for a live seminar on plant recovery, register today for the March 10 presentation by Bob Dailey, Texas Master Gardener.
This article starts with step one: triage. Learn what to look for, identify what needs to be removed and what indicates your plant has survived. Read about specific approaches to your citrus, vegetables and fruits.
Notable author and host of Houston’s GardenLine radio, Randy shares his expertise on how to approach a post-freeze cleanup. The advice doesn’t stop with these 9 rules. Listen to archived radio shows for more tips or call in for a Q&A during a live broadcast.
A roundtable of lawn and garden experts answer the tough questions including: what does turf grass need after a freeze, how to be patient with your palms and how much to prune your shrubs.
Aggie Horticulture dives into what impact Winter Storm Uri had across the state of Texas. This video reviews all the factors that made this storm especially damaging including the freezing temperatures, the duration of low temperatures, the wind and precipitation. Speakers walk around the garden and review best care practices for a variety of plants you may find in your landscape.
The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department kicks off the New Year with a packed calendar of programs and events. We are ready to plant trees, create water-saving lawns, get our hands dirty in the garden and more. From virtual programing to socially-distanced events, there is something for everyone.
45th Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Drive-Through
Saturday, January 23, 20201 9 a.m. to noon Sawdust Park and Ride 701 Westridge Road, The Woodlands, TX 77380
One of the longest running community events celebrates 45 years. Cruise through the line in your car and select from twelve varieties of native tree seedlings. Help reforest our community by planting these seedlings in your yard and nearby green spaces. Don’t miss this free event.
Walk in the Woods: The Weird and Wonderful World of Mushrooms
Thursday, February 11, 2021 6 to 7 p.m. Free online class
Take a virtual Walk in the Woods with Teri MacArthur, Texas Master Naturalist and discover The Woodlands’ rich and diverse array of mushrooms. Then dive into the critical role they play in healthy ecosystems and yes, even healthy lawns and landscapes. Registration required.
Saturday, February 13, 2021 9 a.m. to noon The Woodlands High School Parking Lot
Take part in the community’s reforestation program by planting native trees around your home or in a nearby green space. Reserve your free, 3-gallon trees online and then pick up at the community drive-through event. Registration opens January 11 (supplies are limited). For more information or to register follow the link below.
Saturday, February 20, 2021 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free online class
Volunteers are needed to join the Invasive Species Volunteer Task Force. This training is a great place to start: learn how to identify and remove non-native plants common to our area. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to volunteer alongside your neighbors, helping to keep The Woodlands environment healthy. The training is free but registration is required.
Saturday, February 20, 2021 9 a.m. to noon Free online class
It’s that time of year! Start planning your spring vegetable garden now. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced gardener, a great first step is to join Dr. Joe Masabni, Texas A&M Extension vegetable specialist in this free online (Zoom) class. Participants will take away new strategies for managing soil, selecting the right plants, companion planting, managing pests organically and more. Registration is required.
As the year draws to an end, we reflect on many things, from the pandemic, to the election, to working from home. 2020 will be a year we won’t easily forget. It will also be remembered as a year when people reconnected with nature, spending more time outdoors. Or a year when we found more creative ways to volunteer and give back: sewing masks, virtual fundraisers for great causes, or even sharing a roll of toilet paper with the neighbors. 2020 hasn’t been the easiest year, but there was a lot of hope and positive messages being shared. Remember all those painted rocks on the pathways?
We want to share some of this year’s highlights from our department. Below are the top 5 most read articles published on The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department Blog in 2020. Maybe you missed this content the first time around or it’s been months and you would like a refresher. Either way, these top-rated reads are worth a review.
1. Heat Loving Perennials
Many people took advantage of being home this year to work on their gardens. Maybe you started a vegetable garden, a pollinator garden or just enjoyed getting your hands dirty and being outside. But for anyone who has experienced a Houston summer, you know that the heat can be brutal, especially for your more delicate plants. Instead of watching your plants wilt or running up the water bill, select native plants that thrive in harsh conditions.
Click the image to view the #1 blog of 2020
2. Venomous Snakes
Texas is home to over 105 different species of snakes. That may send shivers down your spine, but it doesn’t have to: snakes are one of nature’s most misunderstood creatures, posing little danger and playing a vital ecological role including control of pests. Only 3 venomous species reside in our area. If you’re concerned about interactions, take a moment to review our May Creature Feature.
Click the image to view the #2 blog of 2020
3. A Guide to Community Service While Social Distancing
Many community events were reformatted in 2020, including The Township’s annual Earth Day GreenUp. With the traditional event no longer an option, many residents reached out asking how to participate in volunteer efforts throughout the community while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Luckily, any day is a good day to pick up litter. If your family wants to help keep our community clean while enjoying the outdoors, this guide is worth a read.
Click the image to view the #3 blog of 2020
4. Recycling Dilemma #1005: Take-Out Containers
Restaurants were hit hard in 2020 and many of our favorite places were quick to adjust. From curbside pick up to new delivery options, take-out has become one of the safest ways to satisfy our cravings. But, many are left wondering what to do with all the packaging. We’re here to help, with a simple-to-follow guide for all you take-out connoisseurs.
Click the image to view the #4 blog of 2020
5. Recycling Dilemma #1006 – Online Shopping
Staying home means more shopping online. Avoiding crowds while getting a great deal is just a click away. In 2020 more of us than ever turned to online retailers for everything from paper towels to TVs, and with it came an abundance of packaging in all shapes and sizes: cardboard, packing peanuts, air pillows, Styrofoam and more. We help you solve this recycling dilemma in this quick read.
Click the image to view the #5 blog of 2020
That’s it! Our top 5 most viewed articles for 2020. Check back weekly for new articles and hot topics in 2021.
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Woodlands residents saved over 17,000lbs of waste from the landfill at the 3R Drive-thru event.
The Woodlands Township hosted the 3R Drive-thru on Saturday, November 14, 2020 from 9 a.m. to noon at The Woodlands High School. 750 vehicles drove through the event for free recycling of select items and secure document shredding.
With the help of local partner organizations, more than 17,000 pounds of material was collected for recycling including 9,547 pounds of shredded paper by Shred It, 5,114 pounds of batteries by U-Waste Recycling Solutions, 2,692 pounds of textiles by Simple Recycling, 1,800 pairs of eyeglasses by The Woodlands Lions Club, 100 pounds of oral care products and two pounds of disposable razors by Junior Girl Scout Troop #108094, 10 pounds of snack and drink pouches by Hailey Elementary PTA and Wilkerson Intermediate PTO, and 1,200 cubic feet of block Styrofoam.
Congratulations Grogan’s Mill Village for first place!
The 2020 Recycling Village Challenge item was batteries. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. awards money to each village scholarship program based on pounds of batteries collected per capita (pounds of batteries collected per household in each village).
Between annual 3R events, residents are encouraged to recycle rechargeable batteries at the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Recycling Facility (Montgomery County residents only), Batteries Plus Bulbs, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s or a Walmart Super Center. Single-use alkaline batteries can be recycled at Batteries Plus Bulbs or the Precinct 3 Recycling Facility. For more opportunities to recycle items not accepted in curbside recycling carts please check out the Recycle More Guide.
