Houston, Texas (KTRK) – The Houston City Council approved an ordinance designed to protect the 7,423 acres of natural habitat in Houston’s city parks on Wednesday.
The Nature Conservation Act will preserve land within 26 parks with an emphasis on habitat protection and passive recreation. The ordinance will serve to conserve habitats for local wildlife and for the ecosystem services they provide to the citizens of Houston.
The Houston Department of Parks and Recreation said preserving these areas will help mitigate flooding, store carbon, reduce urban heat island impacts, improve air and water quality, and provide educational opportunities for the public.
“This Nature Reserve Act is a fantastic conservation effort to make Houston a greener city,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “This measure makes it a priority to protect this land from future development.”
According to HPARD, most of the parks listed in the ordinance contain developed areas and nature reserve sections, but the boundaries of the nature reserve will now be clearly defined.
“This is one of the most important land conservation actions the City of Houston has ever taken,” said Kenneth Allen, director of the Houston Department of Parks and Recreation.
HPARD’s Natural Resource Management Program will be responsible for establishing stewardship targets at the sites.
“This act best protects Houston’s remaining forests, meadows, and wetlands throughout the city for both wildlife and people,” HPARD Director of Natural Resources Kelli Ondracek said.
For a list of the 26 parks included in the Nature Reserve Act, visit Houston Park website.
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