Attractions
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Aurora's electricity provider generates power from wind, water, geothermal, sun and natural gas, and electrical usage is monitored and reduced when the theater is not in use.
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Aurora uses low consumption toilets and compact florescent lights in the restrooms.
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Aurora recycles all paper, glass, plastic and aluminum concessions waste.
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Bayou Bend, with 14 acres of landscaped gardens and natural woodlands, is Texas' largest all organic public garden.
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No pesticides are used in the gardens. A garlic spray is used for mosquitoes, and all of the soil preparation and treatment is organic.
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The formal gardens are noted for rare Duchess De Caze Pink Camellias that are no longer available in nurseries, along with varieties of azaleas, gardenias, antique roses, and seasonal plantings that keep the gardens blooming all year.
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The gardens are at their peak during March and April and are one of the highlights of the city, which has been designated an Azalea City by the Azalea Society of America.
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Consisting of more than 50,000 beer cans, the Beer Can House is the ultimate recycling project.
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John Milkovisch, a retired upholsterer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, started his project now known as the Beer Can House in 1968 when he began inlaying thousands of marbles, rocks, brass figures and metal pieces into concrete and redwood to form unique landscaping features. He then turned to the house itself and began adding aluminum siding—aluminum beer can siding, that is. Over the next 18 years the house disappeared under a cover of flattened beer cans for both practical and decorative reasons. Garlands made of cut beer cans hanging from the roof edges not only made the house sing in the wind, but also lowered the family's energy bills. Ripley's Believe It or Not estimated that over 50,000 cans adorn this monument to recycling.
- Single stream recycling bins located throughout the galleries.
- Kids' Cafe has switched to biopolymer containers which break down and are suitable for composting.
- Environmental outdoor exhibit, EcoStation, is powered almost entirely by solar panels. This one-of-a-kind exhibit enables kids to explore first-hand how their actions impact the environment every day.
- Giant solar panels on the museum's parking garage produces 11,000 kWh of electricity annually and prevents more than 22,880 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year—the equivalent of planting 912 trees or keeping 768 cars of Houston streets for a day every year.
- Eliminated styrofum cups and water bottles for staff.
- Provided an at-your-desk single stream recycling program.
- Staff members now recycle lamps, dry cell batteries and burnt out light bulbs.
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Nine historic structures have been rescued from potential demolition. The historic structures are restored in accordance to standards using reclaimed materials when obtainable.
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The collections represent a variety of historical items that would have otherwise been discarded.
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Several of the structures rely on natural light only.
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The grounds consisting of 13 acres in Sam Houston Park are maintained by the Houston Parks & Recreation Department and organic products are used for fertilizing and pest control.
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The grounds are watered in the early morning to minimize evaporation and several native planting beds have been introduced to the park to conserve water.
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Support objects that are no longer in use are recycled to other organizations.
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Future lectures will include teaching methods of preserving cultural resources.
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The Astros were the first sports team in Houston to launch a recycling campaign, with 125 recycling bins around the park. The Astros recycle an average of three tons of cardboard, plastic and aluminum per game.
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Only "green" fluorescent light bulbs are used, and all light bulbs used in the ballpark are recycled.
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Astros groundskeepers use only eco-safe chemicals on the field, including seaweed-based fertilizer.
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The club composts ballpark infield and outfield grass cuttings to use as fertilizer.
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Sales collateral and other paper products such as season-ticket brochures, napkins, paper towels and pocket schedules are printed on partial post-consumer recycled materials.
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Organic vegetables and ingredients are sold at salad concept stands.
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Automatic paper towel dispensers have replaced manual paper towel dispensers in restrooms to save paper.
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Resource recycling endeavors include paper, printer cartridges, batteries (AAA, AA, A, C & D sizes), glass, plastic, cardboard and computer equipment. Collection bins for empty printer, fax and copier cartridges are located in office areas.
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More than four years ago, the Zoo went from paper to electronic filing of daily reports from the animal care staff. This change alone allows the Zoo to save 25,000 sheets of legal-size paper annually, the equivalent of four trees each year.
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Items like cardboard boxes, telephone books, shredded paper, 2 liter plastic bottles, paper feed bags, newspaper, and even used clothing are used for animal enrichment and husbandry purposes rather than being discarded and sent to landfills. Eligible, unusable items are now being taken to recycling centers every other week with mixed paper and glass by members of the Zoo's Green Practices Committee.
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The Greater Houston Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (GHCAAZK) earns money to support world-wide conservation programs by recycling aluminum cans and printer cartridges collected by Zoo employees and volunteers.
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The Houston Zoo has a recycling bin in their Natural Selections Gift Shop for collection of unwanted cell phones, batteries and chargers. Our cell phone recycling program was launched in the fall of 2003. As of July 2006 they have received over 1,500 phones from 30 states by mail alone. The Houston Zoo donates 100% of the funds raised to Bat Conservation International, a non-profit organization devoted to conservation, education and research initiatives.
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Increased use of electronic internal communications and double-sided copies has reduced paper consumption.
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In December 2003, the first annual "paper conservation" tree was planted on Zoo grounds in recognition of a significant reduction in their annual paper consumption by converting to electronic versions of routine reports and communications that saves about 35,000 sheets of paper, equivalent to saving four to five mature trees!
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The Concessionaire has reduced consumption of paper and plastic products significantly by virtually eliminating distribution of straws and cup lids. They no longer use Styrofoam products.
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The Horticulture Department is experimenting with rain barrels in staff areas to collect rain water for irrigation purposes. They are also testing organic fertilizers that are kinder to the environment.
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Increased efforts are now being made during construction and renovation projects to use resource-conserving materials and equipment whenever possible. For example, sleeping platforms in the new Spectacled Bear exhibit are made from plastic lumber, a wood alternative made from 100% recycled plastic and wood products.
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Information is distributed to Zoo employees and volunteers regularly about green practices they can adopt at home.
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Major recycling initiative throughout Menil campus (the museum and separate bungalow offices): paper, plastic, metal, the works
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Have switched where ever possible to fluorescent and other low-energy lighting, including exterior bungalow lighting
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Printing all materials — brochures, gallery guides, Membership bulletin, catalogues on recycled paper, and using soy-based dyes that are very environmentally friendly
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Aiming to eliminate leaf blowers and other gas-powered landscape equipment
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Encourage bicycling and car pooling for employees
