What is the Challenge?
The 2018 Houston Cities H20 Challenge is a friendly competition meant to inspire Greater Houston-area residents and businesses to conserve water. The Challenge is open to all the cities in the Houston and Greater Houston- area that wish to participate.
As part of a regional effort to conserve our water supplies, Galveston Bay Foundation, in partnership with the Texas Living Waters Project, The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency and the City of Pearland, is launching the Houston Cities H20 Challenge on June 4, 2018. The Challenge is a friendly water conservation competition designed to engage Houston-area residents and businesses in water conservation.
Because Houston and its adjacent cities are growing at an unprecedented rate and are expected to double their population in the next 40 years, fresh water from our aquifers and rivers will be in high demand. Galveston Bay depends on fresh water flowing from our rivers. Water conservation is the most cost-effective way to ensure that we will have sufficient water supplies for Houston-area residents and the environment.
The Houston Cities H2O Challenge invites all Houston-area residents and businesses (including organizations) to take the pledge to conserve water for the Bay through various actions, such as tracking water usage or learning how to efficiently water outdoor landscapes. By conserving water, residents can help to protect, preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come.
The Houston Cities H20 Challenge will run until September 28, 2018 at 12 p.m. (CST). Galveston Bay Foundation will recognize winning cities, residents and businesses at the Bike Around the Bay dinner on October 20, 2018 at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas. The three cities with most pledges will win the challenge; one resident and one business from each winning city will be selected through a random drawing and will receive a prize.
Residents and businesses from the following cities are invited to participate and take the pledge to conserve water: City of Alvin, City of Baytown, City of Clear Lake Shores, City of Conroe, City of Dayton, City of Deer Park, City of Dickinson, City of El Lago, City of Friendswood, City of Galveston, City of Hitchcock, City of Houston, City of Humble, City of Katy, City of Kemah, City of La Marque, City of La Porte, City of League City, City of Missouri City, City of Nassau Bay, City of Pasadena, City of Pearland, City of Richmond, City of Santa Fe, City of Seabrook, City of Sugarland, Texas City, The Woodlands Township, and City of Webster.
Cities and Townships not included in the above list that are interested in participating in the Challenge are encouraged to contact Galveston Bay Foundation at 281-332-3381.
How does it work?
Beginning June 4, 2018 Houston-area residents and businesses will be invited to “take the pledge” to conserve water through the link www.gbwb.org/houston-h2o-challenge-challenge/. Residents and businesses will be able to take the pledge on behalf of their cities. Each pledge submitted by a resident will be worth 1 point to the city where the resident resides, and each pledge submitted by a business will be worth 3 points to the city where the business is located.
What kind of business and organizations can take the pledge?
Any kind of business and/or organization can take the pledge. Examples are: Churches, small/medium/large businesses, restaurants, schools, governmental, non-governmental, corporations, etc.
What is the timeframe to submit pledges?
The Challenge will run from June 4, 2018 to September 28, 2018 at 12 p.m. (CST). The winning cities and residents will be announced at the Bike Around the Bay dinner on October 20, 2018 at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.
Who will be the winner?
The three cities with the most pledges will be considered winners. Through a random drawing, one resident and one business/organization from each winning city will be selected to win a prize. Therefore, three businesses and three residents will be selected from each of the three winning cities and identified as “winners.”
Are there any prizes available for the winners?
Yes. Residents and business selected as “winners” will be eligible for prizes. Prizes include V.I.P. Moody Gardens family passes, as well as Artist Boat kayak tour tickets for four, Kemah Boardwalk family passes and more!
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
Contact Paula Paciorek, Water Resources Manager at the Galveston Bay Foundation: 281-332-3381 ext. 218 or [email protected]
The Houston Cities H20 Challenge is a product of the Texas Living Waters and funded through the Houston Endowment grant.
The Texas Living Waters Project is a collaboration between National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club the Lone Star Chapter and Galveston Bay Foundation – to transform the way we manage water so there will be enough for our wildlife, our economy and our kids. Forever. Through this partnership we advocate for balanced, science-based approaches to managing our limited supplies of fresh water. For more information, visit www.texaslivingwaters.org