August 2019

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Main Line

All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800

Fire Department (non-emergency) 281-367-3444

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services 8203 Millennium Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3800

Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77389 281-516-7348

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 281-297-6500, Business, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 936-442-7797, Non-Emergency, 24 hours

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 713-221-6000

Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211

Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472

Water Providers

The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency (Montgomery County MUDs) 855-H20-SAVE (855-426-7283)

Harris – Montgomery Counties MUD No. 386, 281-290-6500

Emergency 911

message

from the woodlands township board of directors

Township Prepares 2020 Budget

The Woodlands Township expects to present and adopt the 2020 budget this month. Please visit the calendar pages in this issue and at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

see the schedule of meetings.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors honored Fire Chief Alan B. Benson at the Board meeting on June 20, 2019. Chief Benson recently announced his retirement after 14 years with The Woodlands Fire Department. The Board recognized Chief Benson’s numerous accomplishments including a nearly 40-year career in firefighting, leadership roles during major disasters such as Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Harvey, the rebuilding of Central Fire Station along with the construction of Fire Stations 6 through 8 and renovation of Station 2, and the improvement of The Woodlands Fire Department from an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of ISO 3 to ISO 1. Chief Benson’s contributions to The Woodlands are innumerable, and he will be greatly missed by The Woodlands Fire Department and the community.

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors honored the South County Fourth of July Committee for their tireless work in planning and hosting the annual Fourth of July Parade and providing a beloved tradition in The Woodlands.

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors recently recognized the Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy Lady Lions for winning the 2019 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) 3A State Track Championship Title.

The Lady Lions placed in multiple categories including the 4x100-meter relay, the 4x200-meter relay, the 4x400-meter relay, the 3,200-meter run and the 100-meter dash.

The Woodlands Township November 5, 2019 Election

Positions Available

Three at-large positions on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will be elected in the November 2019 election, designated as positions 5, 6 and 7. Each position is for a two-year term.

Candidates may file an application to appear on the ballot for one of the designated positions between July 20, 2019, and 5 p.m. on August 19, 2019. The deadline for filing a declaration of a write-in candidacy is 5 p.m. on August 23, 2019. Applications may be mailed to the Township or delivered in person. Applications delivered in person are accepted on regular business days during the Township’s office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regardless of the method of delivery, an application is considered to be filed at the time of its receipt by the Township. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800 for more information, such as how to obtain a filing packet.

Relevant Dates*

August 19, 2019....................................Last Day to File Application to Appear on Ballot for One of the Designated Positions (5 p.m.); Last Day to Order Election

August 23, 2019

October 7, 2019

October 21, 2019

Last Day to File Declaration of Write-In Candidacy (5 p.m.)

Last Day to Register to Vote

First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance

October 25, 2019 .........................................

Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked)

November 1, 2019 ..................Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance

November 5, 2019 Election Day

* The Texas Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the State of Texas and provides the dates set forth herein. Interested persons are encouraged to visit the Secretary of State’s Election Division website at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml or contact the Secretary of State’s Election Division by telephone at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) to obtain the most current information.

Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/novemberelection for complete information.

INCORPORATION 101

STEP 4: MUD, WATER, SEWER AND DRAINAGE OPERATIONS

S tepsto

I

In most cities, the water, sewer and drainage operations are the responsibility of the city. Currently, these services are provided by the Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs).

should the residents vote to incorporate, and consider combining the MUDs into a single entity when it is financially feasible in the future.

In 2018, as part of the Incorporation Study, consultant HR Green conducted a Municipal Utility District, water, wastewater and drainage evaluation. The recommendation from HR Green in the report is to retain the existing model,

infrastructure and public works at a special Board meeting on July 24. Meeting videos can be found on the Township and the Incorporation websites.

NSTART HERE

1

Zoning vs . C ovenants

While no decision has been made, and the study is ongoing, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will continue to study the issue of water, sewer and drainage operations and future costs. At the time of publication, HR Green was expected to discuss

Step 5 is the Public Forum for Township residents. Watch for details next month, or visit www.thewoodlandsincorporationstudy.com for the latest information on The Woodlands Township’s Incorporation Planning Study.

Wi th the pa ss age of Le gislat ion in 2017, The Woodlands To wn ship Board has the authorit y to place incorpor at ion on an elec tion ballot for cons ider at ion by the vo ters Li st ed below are the st ep s that the To wn ship Board will cons ider pr ior to placing incorpor at ion on the ballot .

Comple te law enforc ement stud y

2 3

Comple te road condition anal ysis and find how much ro ad ways in the city cost replac e and main tain

5

Public fo for To wn residen

6 Comple te financial anal ysis and estimate cost of serv ic es for city oper at ions

7

If approved by voters , Township become s a general law city

This monthly series explores the ongoing issue of incorporating The Woodlands, and the work that The Woodlands Township is currently conducting to determine if an incorporation election will be held. Whether or not The Woodlands incorporates will ultimately rest in the hands of The Woodlands voters, and so the Township is taking this time to study costs, needs, opportunities and deterrents. The Incorporation 101 series explains the study in easy-to-understand language. For those desiring more in-depth information, visit www.thewoodlandsincorporationstudy.com

FAQs. The Incorporation 101 series follows the Steps to Incorporation graphic (shown here and online).

10 If called by Board, residen ts will vote on incorpor

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR

Get prepared for hurricane season by stocking up on emergency supplies and keeping important documents in a secure place.

Hurricane season is here, and The Woodlands Township urges all residents to be prepared by planning what you and your family should do if disaster strikes.

For additional information and resources, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ emergency. During an emergency, for information specific to The Woodlands, listen to K-Star Country, KVST 99.7 FM, official emergency broadcast partner of The Woodlands Township.

• Fully redundant power

• Locally owned and operated

• The Woodlands, North Houston and Conroe coverage area

• Local news, weather and traffic

• Listen live daily at 99.7 FM or online at kstarcountry.com.

Put your emergency supply kit together now

Assembling a basic emergency supply kit will put everything you need to get by in one place. Recommended supplies to include are:

• One gallon of water per person, per day, for drinking and sanitation

• At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

• Flashlights and extra batteries

• First-aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Filter mask or cotton T-shirt to help filter the air

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Manual can opener and utensils if kit contains canned food

• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

• Important family documents

• Items for unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications, infant formula or diapers

For more information about hurricane and emergency preparedness, please call The Woodlands Township at 281-210-3800, or visit the Homeland Security website at www.ready.gov.

The expertise to KEEP YOU MOVING

At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in The Woodlands, we know every movement matters. Our specialists offer:

• The latest imaging and technology

• Advanced nonsurgical treatments

• Minimally invasive procedures

• Customized treatment plans

• State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving.

RACE TO THE FINISH AT 10 FOR TEXAS

There are still limited spaces available for the 14th Annual Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas 10-mile race, 3.1 Armadillo Run 5K and One 4 Texas Kids’ Fun Run taking place on Saturday, October 12, 2019, from 7 to 11:30 a.m. at Northshore Park. After racing to the finish, participants will enjoy a Texas-sized post-race party featuring live music by Texas Joe Bailey!

The 10-mile race registration fee includes a participant shirt, finisher medal, hat, participant race packet and post-race food and beverages. The 5K registration fee includes a participant shirt, finisher medal, participant race packet and post-race food and beverages (hat not included). One 4 Texas registration fee includes T-shirt, finisher medal, participant race packet and post-race food and beverages. All races will be capped to ensure the comfort and safety of all participants.

With many of the runners being introduced to the race by a friend, the 3.1 Armadillo Run 5K is a great event for casual runners to enter the fun as well. Volunteer or form a cheer zone to encourage the runners along the route. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Email races@thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov for

Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas is a USA Track & Field (USATF) sanctioned event with a certified 10-mile course. Don’t delay – register today at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/10fortexas.

Back to School Safety

August is an exciting time of year as we prepare for the back-to-school season. Drivers will experience different driving patterns and rules of the road compared to the summer months. As the new school year begins, we encourage drivers to slow down, pay attention and obey all traffic laws.

The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for children. According to TXDOT, in 2017, 811 vehicle crashes occurred in school zones in Texas, resulting in two deaths and 30 serious injuries.

The most common causes of these crashes were entirely preventable and included failure to control speed, driver inattention and failure to yield right of way.

Following the safety tips below will help to keep our children safe this school year.

Share the road.

• Slow down! Speed limits are reduced in school zones for a reason.

• Do not block the crosswalk when stopped.

• Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk or intersection.

• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

• Come to a complete stop, checking for children before proceeding.

• Watch for bicycles. Young children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable.

Pay special attention to school buses.

• If yellow or red lights are flashing, all traffic must stop!

• The 10-foot area around the bus is the most dangerous for children. Allow enough space for them to enter or exit the bus.

• If you are following a bus, allow a greater distance than if you were behind a car.

Please

Heads up, phones down: avoid distracted driving.

Today’s drivers are more distracted than ever. Studies indicate that drivers who use technology of any kind while driving have a higher risk of collision whether holding the phone or using a hands-free device.

In 2017, the Texas Legislature passed a statewide ban on using a wireless device for electronic messaging while operating a motor vehicle.

• Drivers cannot send or receive electronic messages in Texas.

• Drivers with learner’s permits are prohibited from using handheld cell phones in the first six months of driving.

• Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using wireless communications devices.

• In school zones, all drivers are prohibited from texting and using handheld devices while driving.

To learn more about laws relating to distracted driving in Texas, please visit www.txdot.gov/driver/laws/ cellphones.html.

Remind your children of these year-round safety tips:

• Never walk while texting or talking on the phone.

• Never cross the street while using an electronic device.

• Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.

• Do not walk or ride your bike while wearing headphones.

• Always be aware of your surroundings.

• When exiting the bus, always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

• Do not dart in between parked vehicles.

Drivers have a lot to pay attention to while in a school zone, and we are often distracted with our busy schedules and commitments. When you are behind the wheel of a car, driving safely should always be your top priority, thus being able to respond to any situation as it arises.

Join the Tech Free 4 Me Driving Village Challenge!

Make your car a Tech Free Zone and download the SAFE 2 SAVE mobile app to accumulate two points for every minute of undistracted driving. Points accumulated while driving safe can be redeemed for discounted and free items at local and online businesses. Use the code “WOODLANDS” when downloading for 500 extra points! Enter the code below to join the competition and help your village association win money for their scholarship funds. You will automatically be entered into a monthly prize drawing.

Alden Bridge ALDEN

Creekside Park CREEKSIDE

Cochran’s Crossing COCHRANS

Indian Springs INDIAN

College Park COLLEGE

Panther Creek PANTHER

Grogan’s Mill GROGANS

Sterling Ridge STERLING

For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch.

PROGRAM SPONSORS

Fall MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

þ Mow and edge the lawn.

þ Edge, weed and mulch all landscape beds.

þ Repair and replace broken fences.*

þ Remove mildew and algae from brick, siding, fences and driveway. Helpful hint: Periodic cleaning with a power washer containing water only may help prevent mildew and algae growth.

þ Repair and repaint damaged or faded siding.*

þ Remove pine needles, leaves and debris from roof. Remember, removing debris will improve the longevity of the roof, reduce fire hazard and discourage pests.

þ Remove all loose trash, debris and yard waste. Visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/environment and click Recycling and Solid Waste for information.

þ Make sure trash and recycling carts are stored out of view.**

þ Winterize or turn off irrigation systems. Learn more about water conservation in The Woodlands at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/waterconservation.

*Color changes, roof replacement and fence replacement may need a permit. Contact The Woodlands Township at 281-210-3800, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covenants for more information.

**All trash, refuse or recycling containers may be placed near the street edge no earlier than one day prior to waste collection. Emptied containers must be removed from the street, front yard or driveway by the end of the collection day. Containers must be stored on the owner’s property at all times. All trash and refuse containers must be stored out of public view at ground level from the street or alley or adjacent and surrounding properties at all times except during waste collection.

School may be back in session soon, but summer isn’t over just yet. The Woodlands Township community pools are open for regular season until August 13, 2019, and post-season hours begin August 14, 2019. Take advantage of these last few weeks of summer fun before fall weather and activities begin!

Regular Season

MAY 31 TO AUGUST 13, 2019

Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday: ............................................................................1 to 6 p.m.

Alden Bridge Pool, Bear Branch Pool, Cranebrook Pool, Falconwing Pool, Harper’s Landing Pool, Ridgewood Pool, Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, Sawmill Pool, Shadowbend Pool, Wendtwoods Pool* and Windvale Pool

*Wendtwoods Pool regular season weekday hours continue through Monday, August 19, 2019.

MAY 31 TO AUGUST 13, 2019

Monday to Saturday:................................................ noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 6 p.m.

Creekwood, Forestgate and Lakeside

AT THE TOWNSHIP POOLS

Regular Season Weekly In-Service Days (Closed)

MONDAYS: Alden Bridge, Forestgate and Rob Fleming Aquatic Center

TUESDAYS: Ridgewood, Sawmill and Windvale

WEDNESDAYS: Bear Branch, Falconwing and Wendtwoods

THURSDAYS: Cranebrook, Creekwood and Harper’s Landing

FRIDAYS: Lakeside and Shadowbend

Post-Season (Weekdays)

AUGUST 14 TO AUGUST 30, 2019

Mon., Tue., Weds. and Thur.: .........................................1 to 6 p.m. Closed on Fridays

Shadowbend Pool

Post-Season (Weekends)

AUGUST 17 TO SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

Saturday: ................................................................... noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday: 1 to 6 p.m.

Cranebrook, Creekwood, Forestgate, Harper’s Landing, Lakeside, Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, Sawmill, Shadowbend and Wendtwoods

August 2019

Rock the Row, a free Summer Concert Series at Hughes Landing, continues Thursdays through August 15, 2019. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers are permitted. Glass is prohibited. Rock the Row is produced by The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department and sponsored by The Howard Hughes Corporation.®

Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m.

August 1, 2019 Nervous Rex (Variety)

August 8, 2019 The Nailers (Classic Rock)

August 15, 2019 Flashpoint (Variety)

Thursday, August 1

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

Sterling Ridge Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m. 281-210-5808

Rock the Row - Summer Series

Hughes Landing

7 to 9 p.m. 281-210-3800

Saturday, August 3

The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

Monday, August 5

Sunny Dayz CampBear Branch - Week 10

The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 281-210-3950

Sunny Dayz CampRob Fleming - Week 10

The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 281-516-7348

Tuesday, August 6

Creekside Park Village Association Meeting

The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

7

281-210-5808

Wednesday, August 7

Development Standards Committee Meetings*

Thursday, August 8

Residential Design Review Committee Meetings*

Panther Creek Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 7 p.m. 281-210-3886

Rock the Row - Summer Series

Hughes Landing

7 to 9 p.m. 281-210-3800

Friday, August 9

Family Bingo Night

The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park

6464 Creekside Forest Drive

6:30 to 8 p.m.

Saturday, August 10

The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

Summer Youth Tournament Series11 and over Tournaments

Bear Branch Park

5200 Research Forest Drive

Noon to 2 p.m.

Volunteer Training Event:

Invasive Species Task Force

HARC Building Classroom

8801 Gosling Road

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Boots vs. Badges Softball Game

McCullough Jr. High SchoolScotland Yard

3800 S. Panther Creek Drive

7 to 9 p.m.

Monday, August 12

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Meeting

The Woodlands Township

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

8:30 a.m. to noon

281-210-3800

Sunny Dayz CampBear Branch - Week 11

The Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park

5310 Research Forest Drive

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

281-210-3950

Sunny Dayz CampRob Fleming - Week 11

The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park

6464 Creekside Forest Drive

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

281-516-7348

Tuesday, August 13

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Meeting

The Woodlands Township

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

8:30 a.m. to noon

281-210-3800

Alden Bridge Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-3886

Indian Springs Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

7 p.m.

281-210-5808

Wednesday, August 14

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

9 a.m. to noon

281-210-3800

The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau

Board of Directors Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

11:30 a.m.

281-210-3800

Thursday, August 15

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

8:30 a.m. to noon

281-210-3800

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

6 p.m.

281-210-3800

Rock the Row - Summer Series Hughes Landing

7 to 9 p.m.

281-210-3800

Friday, August 16

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Meeting

The Woodlands Township

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

8:30 a.m. to noon

281-210-3800

Saturday, August 17

The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center

8 a.m. to noon

Summer Youth Tournament Series10 and under Tournaments Bear Branch Park

5200 Research Forest Drive Noon to 2 p.m.

Monday, August 19

Sunny Dayz CampRob Fleming - Week 12

The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

281-516-7348

College Park Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

6 p.m.

281-210-3889

Grogan’s Mill Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 6 p.m.

281-210-3887

Wednesday, August 21

Development Standards Committee Meetings*

Saturday, August 24

The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center 8 a.m. to noon

Advanced Organic Vegetable Gardening Class

The Woodlands Emergency Training Center 16135 IH-45 South 9 a.m. to noon

281-210-3800

Tuesday, August 27

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 7 p.m.

281-210-3887

Wednesday, August 28

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Budget Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 5 p.m.

281-210-3800

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Meeting

The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. 6 p.m.

281-210-3800

Saturday, August 31

The Woodlands Farmer’s Market at Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Mill Village Shopping Center 8 a.m. to noon

*For updates and additional information, please view the complete Township calendar at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendarofevents.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

Please join us at our monthly Alden Bridge Village Association meeting. We have a few open spots on the board and would like your input as residents of Alden Bridge! There is no commitment to join the board; just come to a meeting and see what we are all about. Our meetings are held at 7 p.m. at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please see our website or Facebook page for meeting dates. In addition to other featured guests, you can always get the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department Law Enforcement Report at our board meetings.

We had to cancel the Alden Bridge Spring Festival due to inclement weather concerns, but we hope we made it up to everyone by combining our festival plans with the Alden Bridge Pool Party! We kicked off the summer with a lot of fun at the pool and park. All proceeds went toward helping to build the Alden Bridge scholarship fund! Thank you to the vendors and everyone who came out to help us celebrate!

We recently awarded scholarships to Alden Bridge residents and high school seniors, Ava Henson and Hudson Nash! Awards are based on academic performance, citizenship and

community involvement, extracurricular activities and financial need.

Thanks to the hard work of our board members and to our very generous sponsors, we were also able to award two scholarships to the Montgomery County Women’s Center. These scholarships help recipients to pursue higher education and build new lives for themselves and their children.

We could use more business sponsor support! If you own a business in Alden Bridge, or know a family member or friend who does, and would like to market to your neighbors while at the same time supporting the Alden Bridge scholarship programs, please send our Business Sponsorship Chair an email at careyyeager@yahoo.com.

Thank you to Taco Nation, Chick-fil-A, Chase Bank and Beautiful U Salon! Those business names are currently in rotation on the Alden Bridge Facebook page – yours could be, too!

We are accepting nominations all summer for the Alden Bridge Yard of the Month. Please nominate yourself or your neighbors with the beautiful yards! Send the nominations to aldenbridgeyom@gmail.com. Please include the address. We extend many congratulations to the Houston family of Sandalbranch, as they won the Alden Bridge Yard of the Month for April 2019. The Russell family of Ashley Greens East won the May 2019 Yard of the Month. Congratulations to all!

The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch has teamed up with SAFE 2 SAVE to offer the Tech Free 4 Me Driving Village Challenge. The top three villages with the most points will receive monetary prizes to go toward their scholarship fund. Prizes will be given to participants within each village, simply for joining!

This month, McDonald’s is sponsoring one lottery prize per village. There are three easy steps to join the challenge: download the SAFE 2 SAVE app, enter Event code “WOODLANDS” to receive 500 additional points and Competition code “ALDEN,” and drive safely to accumulate points to redeem for rewards!

Please subscribe to our newsletter and find out more about us at www.aldenbridge.org. Follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ AldenBridge.

Submitted by Stephanie Ruediger

Cochran’s Crossing

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association is pleased to announce the winners of two $500 scholarships. The winners this year are Ethan Miller and Alyssa Moore. Both recipients are 2019 graduates of The Woodlands High School.

Ethan, who plans on attending Texas A&M University, was a member of the National Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, has played on the water polo team and was previously in the orchestra at his school. He has also worked as a lifeguard through The Woodlands Township. His parents are Brian and Lisa Miller. He plans on majoring in urban planning and design.

Alyssa, who plans on attending TCU, was also a member of the

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

National Honor Society and many other clubs, as well as a member and officer of the Highsteppers Drill Team. She has worked as a cashier and babysitter. Her parents are David and Kim Moore. She plans to pursue a degree in science leading to a medical career.

Congratulations to both Ethan and Alyssa. We wish them only the best in their college careers. One of the main goals of Cochran’s Crossing Village Association is to provide scholarships to graduating students, as well as providing teacher grants to the three elementary schools within the Cochran’s Crossing borders.

Our main event of the year will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Shadowbend Park. Our annual Fall Festival attracts more than 1,000 people each year. It is a fun-filled afternoon to promote community spirit. There will be games, booths, food, a petting zoo, bounce houses and more. More details will follow next month.

As always, village members are invited to our monthly meeting, which is held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Submitted by JC Harville

College Park

Scholarship winners were introduced at the June meeting after Village President Ted Stanley provided a brief explanation about the village association activities that support the scholarship program. Area Representative Kelly Rickard explained the selection process and introduced the scholarship winners. Both are graduates of College Park High School. Greg Edmonson will attend Texas A&M to study business.

Jose Conde will attend Texas Tech to study endocrinology or cardiology.

We also welcomed back Mike Larson who returned to the board to fill an area representative vacancy. Next month is National Night Out. Now is the time to plan your neighborhood party. Contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch for ideas and to register your neighborhood event. Later in October, we host the ever-popular annual Halloween Spooktacular in Harper’s Landing Park. This is a favorite event for residents of College Park Village. It includes games, a Halloween costume contest, inflatables, trackless train, and the highlight is the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Visit our website for details for both events.

Got used batteries? Save them. College Park board members will join the Township Environmental Services Department for America Recycles and the 3R Bazaar in November. For the second year now, it will be at the new location, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market in Grogan’s Mill. This too, is a village competition. Please show us your support for College Park and save your batteries. Then just drop them off the day of the event at the College Park booth. For further information, visit the Township website link to the Environmental Services Department.

From time to time, a resident concern is brought to our attention at a monthly meeting. Did you know that you can report problems using The Woodlands 311 app? We have found that using this reporting method brings about quick attention and resolution to problems such as reporting a streetlight out or a sprinkler malfunction in a common area. Please download this app

continued on next page

MEETING INFORMATION

ALDEN BRIDGE www.aldenbridge.org

Alden Bridge Village Association usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.*

COCHRAN’S CROSSING www.cochranscrossing.com

Cochran’s Crossing Village Association usually meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.*

COLLEGE PARK www.villageofcollegepark.com

College Park Village Association usually meets on the third Monday of each month, 6 p.m.*

CREEKSIDE PARK www.creeksideparkvillage.com

Creekside Park Village Association usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive.

GROGAN’S MILL www.grogansmillvillage.com

Grogan’s Mill Village Association usually meets on the third Monday of each month, 6 p.m.*

INDIAN SPRINGS www.indianspringsvillage.com

Indian Springs Village Association usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m.*

PANTHER CREEK www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org

Panther Creek Village Association usually meets on the second Thursday of each month, 7 p.m.*

STERLING RIDGE www.sterling-ridge.org

Sterling Ridge Village Association usually meets the first Thursday of each month, 7 p.m.*

*Meets at the Township, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

textile recycling

Donate to charity first, then recycle old textiles and more on your regular trash service day. For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ recycling or www.simplerecycling.com.

and start using it to report concerns. You can find out more on the Township website.

We have an open seat on our board of directors and invite interested residents of College Park to attend a meeting to learn about the activities we sponsor for College Park residents. Meetings are the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Township building on Technology Forest Blvd.

Our College Park website will continue to offer monthly news and information at www.villageofcollegepark.com.

Submitted by Marti Meerscheidt

Grogan’s Mill

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association sponsored its annual Splash Day for Grogan’s Mill residents at Sawmill Park, Sunday, June 9, 2019. Entrance, hotdogs, drinks and snow cones were all free. Entertainment included games and Cody the Magic Twist Balloon Man.

Firefighters and EMTs from The Woodlands Fire Department gave tours of a fire truck and ambulance. Deputies from The Montgomery County

Sheriff’s Office answered questions and talked to our neighbors. The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Services Department provided material and handouts about the Township’s safety initiatives. Over 140 people attended the event.

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association thanks The Woodlands Township, Randall’s, Fuddruckers, Snow Cone Angels, The Woodlands Fire Department and the Montgomery County Sherriff’s Department for their support of this event.

Congratulations to Yard of the Month winners Rhonda and Charlie Howell, who live with a little slice of paradise!

Bring your used alkaline (non-rechargeable) batteries from your home, workplace, friends and families. We narrowly missed being in first place last year. We’re already up to 900 pounds and counting! You can bring them to the Farmer’s Market where we will hold them until the challenge officially begins. Our village association could win up to $1,000 which we use to support schools and student scholarships in Grogan’s Mill.

It’s never too hot at the The Woodlands Farmer’s Market, but there are hot deals on fruits, vegetables, honey, olive oil, crafts, food and more. Stay cool with a snow cone while you shop. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon, rain or shine, at 7 Switchbud Place in the Grogan’s Mill Village Center. In addition to our regular lineup of vendors, on most Saturdays we have live music and a food truck. Bring your own bags to save on plastic. Check out our website at www.grogansmill.org/fmabout or look us up on Facebook at www.facebook. com/GrogansMillVillageAssociation/. Profits from Farmer’s Market vendor fees are returned to our community

through various philanthropic contributions, school donations, scholarships and community programs.

Indian Springs

It is the time of year when the Indian Springs Village Association board is busy planning and organizing the annual Taste of the Village. The event will be held on October 26, 2019, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Indian Springs Shopping Center, located at the southwest corner of Kuykendahl Road and Woodlands Parkway.

The Taste of the Village is free to all attendees and is one of the most anticipated community events. Initiated over 14 years ago by Indian Springs Village Association, it was designed to be an outreach effort to bring local residents and businesses together for a fun-filled, family-friendly occasion. The annual event draws more than

4,000 people from across the area and funds the Indian Springs Village Association Community Service Scholarship and the Lloyd Matthews Scholarship for the Montgomery County Women’s Center.

“Taste of the Village is a great place to taste local foods, learn about local businesses, hear great music and mingle with your neighbors,’’ said Michael J. Arendes, president of Indian Springs Village Association and event chair.

In addition to sampling tasty treats from a variety of food vendors and visiting 40 booths of local businesses and community organizations, families will enjoy several amusements that will be on hand. Entertainment includes a live band, inflatables, face painting, balloon artistry and several walking entertainers for the kids. There will also be a raffle for numerous prizes, such as gift cards, leisure outings and electronics, to name a few.

Panther Creek

Now is the time to get your tickets for our annual trip to watch the Astros win another ballgame on their way to reclaiming the Major League Baseball World Championship. What would summer be without an outing to the ballpark? So, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, join your neighbors on a luxury custom coach ride from Panther Creek to Houston to see the Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks. The chauffeured ride there and back, including admission to the game, is $45 per person. Tickets go fast for this wonderful trip, so please visit www. panthercreekvillageassociation.org to sign up to join the fun.

A flag-waving thank-you is due to the many Panther Creek volunteers, veterans and residents who made our

annual Flag Day Picnic another great success. Nearly 200 Panther Creek residents enjoyed the free day at the Ridgewood Pool. The hot dogs and hamburgers were prepared by our master chefs and served by members of the Panther Creek Village Association. Hosts and guests had a grand oldfashioned summer get-together. Put the Saturday closest to Flag Day on your calendar for next year’s neighborhood picnic. All residents of Panther Creek are welcome to attend.

Our semi-annual Woodlands Flea Market and Garage Sale will be held again this fall. It is a wonderful Woodlands event, whether you are unloading that extra stuff cluttering up the house or if you love to shop for unusual items at bargain prices. Get more details at www.woodlandsfleamarket.org.

National Night Out in

The Woodlands will be held on October 13, 2019, from 3 to 6 p.m. Last year, dozens of Panther Creek neighborhoods held parties that were enjoyed by residents young and old. Meet your neighbors and get information about community services and events. Contact your Panther Creek Village Association area representative or M.J. Curry at 281-210-3800 to get information and supplies for holding one on your street. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date.

As you head off to whichever vacation spots you choose this summer, don’t forget to protect your home by notifying the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department. The Vacation Watch program is free while you travel from two to 30 days at a time. Since it began years ago, no home registered with the Vacation Watch program has been burglarized while residents were off having their vacations. Online registration is fast and easy at www.mctxsheriff.org.

Please visit us online at www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org.

Submitted by Paul

Sterling Ridge

Greetings from the Sterling Ridge Village Association. The following members were recently elected to our board for 2019: President Tom Schwarzkopf, Vice President Eric Fishhaut, Secretary Dedra Ecklund and Social Chair Patricia Monticello

Kievlan.

We held our annual fishing tournament at the Pepperdale Park Lake. The youth really had fun trying to catch the largest fish! It was great fun for all. Trophies were given to the winners. The annual Sterling Ridge Barbecue Cook-Off is scheduled for October 19, 2019, at Cranebrook Park. The funds generated from the barbecue will be given to elementary schools in Sterling Ridge for purchasing educational tools for their students. It’s a great way to help our school children.

Since most Sterling Ridge residents have not been to a village association meeting, we would encourage you to attend. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office provides a monthly update on law enforcement statistics specific to The Woodlands. Our meetings include upcoming Township happenings by the Township Village program specialist assigned to Sterling Ridge. Meetings also provide time for presentations on other issues concerning the village. Sterling Ridge’s Village Association is open to the public. We meet the first Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be on September 5, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Township meeting rooms located at 2801 Technology Forest Blvd. Please plan to join us because we need your ideas to help make the village great!

Submitted by Butch Ashman

FALL BOAT HOUSE SCHEDULE AND PROGRAMS

Get out on the water again before summer ends! The Woodlands Township’s boat houses are open daily through Sunday, August 11, 2019, and then will transition to the fall operations schedule. Beginning August 12, 2019, the boat houses are only open five days a week.

August 1 to August 11, 2019

Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Last boat out at 7 p.m.

Lakes Edge Boat House closed on Tuesday, and Riva Row Boat House closed on Wednesday.

August 12 to December 31, 2019

Open 9 a.m. to Sunset

Last boat out one hour before sunset. Lakes Edge and Riva Row closed on both Tuesday* and Wednesday* * open Thanksgiving Week

Fall Holidays

Open Normal Hours: Labor Day, Halloween, Veteran’s Day and Friday after Thanksgiving. Open until 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga (SUP)

Riva Row is offering SUP yoga classes twice more in August from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019, and Sunday, August 25, 2019. The two-hour adventure begins with an introduction to paddleboarding, then a 20-minute paddle to the “floating yoga studio” on Lake Woodlands for an all-levels vinyasa flow class. No prior paddleboard or yoga experience is required, but limited spaces are available. To register, please call one of The Woodlands Township Recreation Centers at 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348.

Save Time in Line!

The Woodlands Township offers an online waiver system that allows guests to move quickly through the equipment rental lines at the boat houses. All participants must complete a waiver before they go out on the water. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov and search “Boat House Waiver” to complete a waiver for every person in your group – minors included. Once completed, the liability remains active for the current year.

Everywhere you look, there are reminders of the approaching school year and the end of summer… so why not change up the scenery? Come have an unbeLEAFable experience at Texas TreeVentures before the kids are back in school!

Bring your whole family to bond and conquer the three-level course. After gearing up and completing ground school, you will have about two and a half hours of fun on the course. As of August 23, 2019, time slots will return to Friday afternoons, Saturdays (all day) and Sundays (all day).

This fall, Texas TreeVentures will also be open for Labor Day on September 2, 2019. The course will have an amended schedule for school holidays such as Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks.

Join us for our new program starting this fall: Sunsets and S’mores. Climb on the course right up until sunset and then make s’mores by the campfire! Reservations are required for these events, so please book early.

Sunsets and S’mores Dates

Friday, September 6, 2019

Friday, October 4, 2019

Friday, November 1, 2019

Friday, December 6, 2019

Reserve your climb time and learn more about Texas TreeVentures

Please visit www.texastreeventures.com, or call 281-210-2048.

Relax and enjoy the festivities during Labor Day at Waterway Square on Sunday, September 1, 2019, from 5 to 9 p.m. Join us for a family-friendly evening of live music by Yelba (Latin), strolling entertainers, children’s activities, a pie-eating contest and fireworks!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

5 to 9 p.m.

Waterway Square

31 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380

Growing Organic Fall Vegetables in Southeast Texas

Looking to step up your gardening skills? Learn how to face everyday challenges such as changing weather, varying soils, plant diseases and garden pests from our experts Bill Adams and Tom LeRoy. Both are Texas A&M horticulture agents emeritus. They will share their many years of professional gardening experience at the Advanced Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening Class on Saturday, August 24, 2019.

Attendees will have access to a variety of resources including Montgomery County Master Gardener vegetable planting and variety charts, Texas A&M vegetable growing guides and books authored by both Adams and LeRoy. Montgomery County Master Gardeners will be available to answer your gardening questions and review samples of plants with undiagnosed problems.

Space is limited for this free class. Please register at www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment.

Advanced Fall Organic Vegetable Gardening

Saturday, August 24, 2019

9 a.m. to noon

The Woodlands Emergency Training Center 16135 Interstate 45 South

The Woodlands, TX 77385

Boots vs. Badges Softball Game

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 • 7 TO 9 P.M.

McCullough Junior High - Scotland Yard Baseball Field

3800 S. Panther Creek Drive

In celebration of National Night Out, come out and root for both of your home teams during a friendly game of softball between The Woodlands Fire Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Our home team players will strive to be safe at home, just like The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch. Concessions will be sold with proceeds benefiting The Woodlands High School Baseball Booster Club. Admission is free!

The Record Stands:

2012 Winner: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

2013 Winner: The Woodlands Fire Department

2014 Winner: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

2015 Winner: The Woodlands Fire Department

2016: Game canceled due to unforeseen circumstances

2017 Winner: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

2018 Winner: Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

Who will win this one? Join us to find out!

COMMUNITY RECYCLING REPORT

“Recycling is broken!”

“Is recycling dead?”

You may have seen frightening headlines such as these in the news and wondered, what about my recyclables? In 2017, China instituted stringent contamination standards and began refusing most recycling imports. Historically, China was the consumer of more than 70 percent of the world’s recyclables. As a result, the value of scrap recycling began a downward trend. Today, those values have hit their lowest point in a decade. At the same time, processing costs are rising due to contamination and the need to meet stricter quality standards.

Communities across the nation are taking a closer look at their recycling programs. The Woodlands Township remains committed to a strong recycling program and encourages residents to follow guidelines closely, minimizing contamination. By reducing contamination, material quality improves, which increases its value and reduces processing costs.

Follow these guidelines and share them with your neighbors:

• Only put the accepted items in your recycling cart.

• Do not bag your recyclables.

• Contaminants such as plastic bags, tanglers (cords, hoses, & string), food waste, hazardous waste, Styrofoam and any items other than those listed on your recycling cart lid can damage machinery and cause entire loads of recyclables to be landfilled.

For more recycling information, please contact the Township’s Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800, or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/recycling.

The Woodlands:

• 79% participation in curbside recycling program

• 13,513 tons of recyclables collected in 2018

Equivalent of:

• Removing annual emissions from 6,289 cars off the road

• Conserving 3,333,129 gallons of gasoline

• Greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 29,622 metric tons of CO2 equivalent

• 28 percent diversion of materials from the landfill

Percentage of materials collected (by weight) from residences:

Always Recycle

Do NOT include in your mixed recycling cart

MOVING SOLUTIONS

Extra Cardboard Pickup

Curbside solid waste services through Waste Management provide a special pickup day each month for oversized and bulk cardboard boxes at no additional cost to residents.

Whether you just bought a jumbo flat screen TV or moved into a new home, recycling extra cardboard is easy! Your curbside solid waste services through Waste Management provide a special pickup day each month for oversized and bulk cardboard boxes that will not fit in the recycling cart. The service is provided to each neighborhood in The Woodlands once a month at no additional cost. However, please be aware that these pickups need to be scheduled in advance.

Determine your pickup day by village.

• Bulk collection of moving boxes and oversized cardboard occurs either on the second Monday or the fourth Friday of the month.

– Second Monday of the Month: Alden Bridge, Cochran’s Crossing, Sterling Ridge

– Fourth Friday of the Month: Creekside Park, College Park, Grogan’s Forest, Grogan’s Mill, Indian Springs, Panther Creek, Research Forest, Town Center

Schedule bulk recycling pickup of cardboard.

• At least two business days prior to the scheduled pick-up day, call Waste Management Customer Service at 1-800-800-5804.

• Request and keep confirmation number until service occurs.

For a trouble-free pickup, please follow these guidelines:

• Flatten, bundle and stack boxes curbside.

• Fold packing paper and place in your recycling cart for pickup on your regular service day.

• NO packing peanuts, Styrofoam™, bubble wrap or plastic.

• Place items at the curb before 7 a.m. on the pre-scheduled pickup day.

For more moving day solutions, please call the Township’s Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ recycling, select Oversized Cardboard, and scroll to the section on Moving Boxes.

It’s Time To Break Up With Invasive Species

Do you have plants in your landscape that are harmful to the environment?

Well, it’s time to cut ties. Many non-native plants and trees are invasive, which means that they out-compete and crowd out natives. When that happens, the benefits (food and shelter) that native plants offer to pollinators and wildlife are lost. Many invasive species actually

change the surrounding soil chemistry, depriving natives of the nutrients they need to survive.

Common non-native invasive species in our community include air potato vines, Chinese and Japanese privets, Japanese honeysuckle, Nandina (often called heavenly bamboo), elephant ears and Japanese climbing fern. While some may look good in our landscape, their impact on native vegetation isn’t pretty!

It’s time to break up with invasives and get back to the native plants and trees by learning what you can do to help solve the problem. The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department presents a Volunteer Training Workshop for the Invasives Task Force on Saturday, August 10, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the HARC Building, located at 8801 Gosling Rd. For details and to register for this free workshop, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/

environment and look for the link. Space is limited, so register early to assure your spot.

Would you like to learn more on your own? Stop by the Township’s Environmental Services Department office at 8203 Millennium Forest Drive to pick up your free copy of The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Species for our area. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Woodlands Express

Scheduled

The Woodlands Express has three park and ride locations in The Woodlands:

Research Forest Park & Ride 3900 Marsico Pl.

Sawdust Park & Ride 701 Westridge Rd.

Sterling Ridge Park & Ride 8001 McBeth Way

assume no responsibility for the advertising content within this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be addressed directly with the advertiser. The Publisher retains exclusive rights to the acceptance or denial of all advertising copy. Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and or misprints in this publication, Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. Under no circumstances shall The Publisher, The Woodlands Township be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to the liabilities stated above. Articles, cartoons, and photographs in this magazine express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CP&PI or its employees. Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. or its employees assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. Space does not always permit a full description of provisions of The Woodlands Covenants or Residential Development Standards being discussed. This magazine does not replace or alter The Woodlands Covenants or Residential Development Standards. Always refer to the Covenants or Standards or call the office for specific information. Copyright: The Woodlands Community Magazine is published monthly in Houston, Texas, U.S.A. by Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc., 6608 FM 1960 West, Suite G, Houston Texas 77069. Copyright © 2019. The contents of this publication may not be

The Woodlands Express service provides a comfortable, economical and convenient way to commute to the Texas Medical Center, Greenway Plaza and the Central Business District of Houston. www.REDACU.com

www.arborcarehouston.com

POLLINATORS

There are more than 70 species of pollinators on the Federal Endangered or Threatened Species List, including butterflies, bees, bats, moths, beetles, skippers and flies. This is a problem for more than just nature lovers, as pollinators are essential to the reproduction of more than 80 percent of all flowering plants, and one in every three bites of food we eat. The primary issues facing all pollinators are habitat loss, pesticide and herbicide overuse and disease.

Take Action Now

Even though most pollinators are in decline, there are steps each of us can take to help.

LEARN.

Attend the annual Woodlands Landscaping Solutions event on Saturday, September 28, 2019, at The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, to learn about incorporating native nectar and pollinator plants into your landscape, along with alternative pest management techniques and to shop from the variety of native plant vendors. Guest speaker Lauren Simpson will lead an informational session on Pollinator Gardening at 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. For information about this and other fall classes and events, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment.

Visit the demonstration garden at the Township Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services building for ideas on weaving natives into your landscape. Follow the Township’s Environmental Services blog for weekly posts on sustainable living

and the amazing plants and animals of The Woodlands. To subscribe, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ environment, and select Visit Our Blog. PLANT.

Fall is a perfect time for planting. Create a pollinator garden at your home, place of business or school. Informative guides to help you plan, plant and maintain a garden are available on the Plant for Pollinators page at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ plantforpollinators.

Looking for someone to support you through the planning stages of gardening? The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department can connect you with a volunteer advisor to help you design a pollinator habitat for your school, church or business.

GET INVOLVED.

Organize a volunteer group to build or maintain a garden at church, school or work. For additional volunteer opportunities that support pollinators locally, please email enviro@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

Take part in a bigger conversation. Share these actions to save pollinators with your family and friends to get the message out to a wider audience who can join the movement.

Download the iNaturalist or Insight Citizen Science apps and document the pollinators that you see at home, in a park or along the pathways. These free apps offer pollinator and plant identification and capture citizen observations from around the world for scientists to study.

Register Your Pollinator Garden Today

Include native plants in your landscape year-round to be rewarded with visiting native bees and butterflies and the satisfaction of helping protect all pollinators. Take the pledge today to provide a habitat for pollinators and register your garden with The Woodlands Township. More information about registering a pollinator garden can be found on the Plant for Pollinators page at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ plantforpollinators.

Simple Steps for Summer Lawn Care

AsAugust heat descends onto The Woodlands, landscape plants and lawns may begin to experience stress. It’s common to think that irrigation is the first solution for stress, but that’s not always the case.

To create and maintain a healthy lawn, follow these simple steps developed by Texas A&M Agrilife turfgrass scientists.

Determine optimum soil pH and identify any fertility imbalances. Visit the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service’s Soil Water and Testing Lab website at soiltesting. tamu.edu, and arrange to have your soil tested. It’s easy to do and very inexpensive. The test results will tell you how to improve the pH of your soil, as well as what nutrients are needed. It saves guesswork and also saves money in the long run by recommending only the nutrients you need.

Ensure optimum water availability. Most warm season turf grass needs about an inch of water weekly, including rainfall. However, it’s not the amount of water that one uses, it’s the amount that soaks into the ground. Poor drainage, poor waterholding capacity as well as soil compaction (the most common problem in The Woodlands), prevent enough water from getting to the roots of the turf.

Ensure optimum sunlight.

While St. Augustine turf may be the most shade-tolerant of the warm-season grasses, it does have its limits. Deep shade for prolonged periods during the day will decrease the growth of any turf, including St. Augustine. Remember that all plants need sunlight to create photosynthesis. Without any direct sunlight, the grass will eventually die.

Establish good soil structure.

Related to compaction, good soil structure is important for turf to create deep, healthy root systems. Aerating the lawn and then top dressing it with ½ inch of finely decayed organic matter allows water and nutrients to penetrate the soil, helping to create a diverse soil biome.

Utilize the appropriate mowing height and frequency.

Don’t scalp your grass. Turf grass needs a good portion of its leaf blade to make food. Cut only 1/3 back, or set your mower to the highest level. If you have a landscaping crew, ask them to do the same. Make sure your mower blade is sharp. Shredded grass tops will eventually harm the lawn.

The above article was provided by The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency, www.wjpa.org.