Environmentally

bp Grant “Aiming for #NetZero at Katy High School: Measuring CO2 sequestration in the Katy High School, Tiger Prairie versus a Turf Grass Site to Support the use of Nature Based Solutions to Offset the Anthropogenic Causes of Climate Change.”

In the Spring of 2024, Katy High School received a grant from bp to address how students could offset carbon emissions at their school to become a #NetZero campus. Replacing turf grass with prairie vegetation to decrease our campus carbon footprint is the premise of our proposal. Using equipment purchased with our grant, students studied how the carbon cycle works in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Students measured how much carbon is stored in the soil and vegetation in the Tiger prairie and adjacent turf grass using a sub sampling protocol (scaling small samples to represent the entire campus) developed by researchers from the Prairie Project. With this data, students created a snapshot of where carbon is stored in our prairie and how much more CO2 is captured and sequestered when turf grass is replaced by native prairie vegetation. Students also gathered data to calculate how much CO2 our campus emits to determine what percentage campus emissions is offset by two acres of prairie vegetation. In addition, data was collected to calculate water infiltration rates into the soil as well as biodiversity indices of our 2-acre prairie after one year of native seed tilling. We are excited by our new results and hope it will bring light to the use of nature-based solutions in addressing the anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Dr. Rhonda Burrough has been teaching at Katy High School for 15 years. She is an AP Environmental Science teacher and a Team Lead for the Katy High School Tiger Prairie Team. This teacher and student collaborative team completed a one-acre turf grass-to-prairie restoration on campus and is now in the second year of soil remediation for a two-acre, native prairie outdoor classroom. She is part of the Educational Cohort for the Prairie Project and a teacher mentor for the Student Climate Resilience Ambassadors program. Before teaching, she spent six years at Albemarle Corporation as a research chemist and environmental specialist. She has an MS and PhD in chemistry from the University of Florida.

Students Presenting: Connor McCauley, Tiffany Gunawan, Clayton Brawner, and Katelyn Nguyen

Please come as early as 6:30 PM to socialize and connect. There will be refreshments. And you are welcome to bring something.

You are welcome to wear a mask if that makes sense for you.

If you want to attend online, please register with this link:

Earth Day Weekend Kids Canoe Campout
We’re excited to invite your young explorers to a special Earth Day weekend experience designed just for kids who love the outdoors! This 3-day, 2-night adventure combines canoeing, hiking, camping, and fun educational activities with the goal of building confidence, nature awareness, and real-world outdoor skills. More than just camp—this is an authentic outdoor learning experience led by certified instructors who specialize in working with kids in small group settings. Whether it's your child's first time camping or they’re already a budding adventurer, this is a safe, structured, and unforgettable way to connect with nature.
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Explore. Discover. Have Fun! From forest walks and moonlight hikes to canoe trips and campfire sing-alongs, every activity is crafted to inspire curiosity and build confidence. Adventure Highlights:

• Canoe paddling instruction and nature-based river trips
• Map & compass navigation workshop
• Knife carving safety demo
• Guided hikes through forests and wetlands
• Stargazing and spooky stories around the fire
• Hammock lounging, primitive tent camping, geology activities
• Dutch oven meals, s’mores, and hot chocolate
• Fun group games and team-building challenges

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What’s Included:

• Certified instruction in paddling and safety
• All field-tested gear: canoes, paddles, life jackets, tents, cookware, etc.
• All meals (including iron cast Dutch oven cooking)
• On-site guidance and supervision by experienced outdoor educators
• Transportation from the meeting point
• Group size capped for individual attention and a safe, supportive atmosphere

You don't have a kayak or canoe and wish to get started?

Are you looking to buy your first kayak or canoe, or maybe to upgrade to a nicer, better suited boat? I would love to help you out!!

This is a paid coaching session. It can be rescheduled at a time and location that's more convenient to you!

You will learn in a couple of hours more than what you can in months of surfing the web, getting lousy opinions on social media from total strangers, and finding half-trues on YouTube videos. You are paying us for our unbiased professional expertise. You will receive specific information tailored to your needs and circumstances, faster than it can be dugout from reading paddling books and magazines. Let our 25+ years of expertise be your guidance!

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Class Fee: $200 per person. Usually 3-4 students.

THIS EVENT IS A PLACEHOLDER!

Contact Constantin at 832-686-3231 to discuss your kayaking & canoeing goals and fantasies, to receive a tailored recommendation from a paddle sport professional, and to set up a meeting by the water's edge for your demo day.

Private event, by appointment only!

Reply with your phone number, so I can give you a call to get a ball-park idea of what gear would best fit your needs.

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Based on your request, we can bring out 10+ kayaks and canoes for you to sit-in, compare and contrast features, and take out on water for a spin and drive test.

We have newly restored kayaks and canoes, including recreational, sea touring and whitewater kayaks in rotomolded plastic, blow molded HTP, and fiberglass and composite materials from Prijon and Eskimo (made in Germany), Pyranha, Valley, NDK, and P & H (made in England), Dagger, Old Town, Perception, and Wilderness Systems (made in USA), Current Designs, Riot, and Boreal Designs (made in Canada), and Mohawk canoes.

The cost for this class is $200. If you find a boat that's a good fit and you like, the cost of the class is applied towards the cost of the boat.

This is a family friendly event, kids are welcome to attend, and we guarantee that besides having fun, everyone will learn something new.

You can take several short paddling trips to get a feel for several different kayak models and their comfort level and handling abilities. We will discuss, analyze, compare and contrast features, designs in building, material quality, etc.

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Bring with you a half-gallon drinking water and a snack. Dress in synthetic clothing that dry quickly. Large brim hat and longs sleeves can protect you from sunburns. Your shoes will get wet. Bring with you and leave in the car a towel and a complete set of clothing to change if needed for a comfortable ride home.

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Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Constantin
Call/Text: 832-686-3231

PS: Constantin is a certified ACA Level-3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor, ACA Level-3 River Kayaking Instructor, and ACA Level-3 River and Lake Canoe Instructor for Solo and Tandem canoes, and ACA Trip Leader and certified NOLS & Sierra International Wilderness First Aid among other certifications.

$859 per adult | $659 per child <12 y old | Max 6 participants

Outstanding skills developing opportunity in sea kayaking, camping, geology, wildlife, survival skills, history and much more!

Luxury gear is included, along with delicious meals and professional instruction. Don´t risk getting lost in this foreign landscape! Let us worry about all gear and all the logistics!

TOUR CAN BE RESCHEDULED AT A TIME CONVENIENT TO YOU AND YOUR PARTY OF 4 INCLUDING DURING WEEKDAYS.

PRIVATE EVENT: PREPAID REGISTRATION REQUIRED
***TO SIGN UP & CONFIRM LOGISTICS CALL 832-686-3231 ***

Do you want to wander off the beaten path and fully experience the remote sea kayaking backcountry? Do you want to run away from other people and the civilization? Then this guided sea kayak-camping expedition is just right for you!

GOAL: During this 3-days and 2-nights at sea kayaking adventure we will explore Matagorda Bay and visit the Historical Matagorda Lighthouse on Matagorda Island. We will comb uninhabited beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast.

This guided tour requires a moderate fitness level as we will paddle some combined 20-25 miles over 3 days. Active teenagers are welcome, preferably with parent supervision. Although, in the larger scheme of things, our camping is luxurious, this is still primitive camping with pit latrine/no plumbing. We teach and follow Leave No Trace Principles.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:

Duration: 3 days/2 nights.
Paddling Time: 10-15 hours round trip.
Paddling Distance: 20-25 miles round trip.

Day 1: paddle 5-6 hours, with breaks, or 10-12 miles, from Port O’Connor to Matagorda Island. We will navigate through a maze of bayous and marshes and into the open waters of the Matagorda Bay. We will spot lots of waterfowl and have high chances to seeing surfacing dolphins just yards away. Set camp, cook dinner, watch the stars, go to sleep.

Day 2: Watch the sun rise. Stretch/Morning Yoga. Breakfast and coffee. Enjoy the breeze. Take an optional 7–9-mile hike to comb beaches and visit the 1852 Historical Matagorda Lighthouse. We will take this day to cook delicious meals, fly kites, explore the island and to rest. We can also practice paddling skills, do a safety and rescue clinic, etc.

Day 3: Morning routine (sunrise yoga, coffee, breakfast), then take camp down, load the kayaks, and paddle back to the mainland to our vehicles.

A NOTE ON PHYSICAL FITNESS: This sea kayak tour is an active outdoor adventure trip in remote backcountry. We use sit-inside sea kayaks that have narrow and confining seats with a maximum 44-inch hip/250-pound person capacity. Each paddler must have the strength and flexibility to climb in and out of the kayak seat at ground level without assistance. Additionally, high winds, large waves and strong currents can sometimes make paddling difficult. Each participant must have the physical strength necessary to control their kayak in any difficult conditions. Each adult guardian on the family tour must also have the strength to paddle a double kayak by themselves with little assistance from their minor child in the front seat.

Minimum 4 participants for tour to go. Small group size (max 10).
Call early to sign up! Limited seats fill up quickly!!
Event cross posted on several platforms.

NOT SURE IF THIS ADVENTURE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Take a look at our pictures: