On Monday, April 22, 2024, a fun Earth Day event took place at Watonga Park in Houston. The City of Houston partnered with Apache Corporation to organize a mass tree-planting initiative in commemoration of Earth Day HTX 2024. Houston Mayor John Whitmire, Council member and Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck, Council member Abbie Kamin, Apache Oil CEO John Christmann, Houston’s Fitness Czar Samir Becic joined Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Kenneth Allen and his Community Outreach Coordinator Oneika Peters, and other volunteers to help beautify Watonga Park for Earth Day.
#EarthDay2024, @houmayor Whitmire joined @APA_Corp CEO, @HPARD and volunteers to plant 2,500 trees 🌳 🌲 at Watonga Park. Today’s event is possible thanks to Apache’s support of Tour de Houston.
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) April 22, 2024
Everyday should be #EarthDay 🌎. We have a responsibility to our children and… pic.twitter.com/9I4zZhbYOh
Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a passionate advocate for Houston’s natural beauty, gave an enthusiastic speech about his love for Houston and its natural habitat. His powerful speech resonated with the crowd, emphasizing the critical role of green spaces in our city’s well-being. His leadership was more than symbolic; it was hands-on. Mayor Whitmire personally planted trees alongside volunteers, demonstrating his commitment to reforesting Houston’s parks and bayous.
Councilwoman Abbie Kamin also took the opportunity to address the crowd, emphasizing the significance of green spaces within her district. She expressed heartfelt appreciation to all the participants involved in enhancing the beauty of Watonga Park. Under the guidance of HPARD Director Kenneth Allen and the coordination of Oneika Peters, the event ran seamlessly, with enthusiastic volunteers and city employees working collaboratively to bring their vision to life. Kenneth Allen thanked Mayor Whitmire for his support in attracting Houstonians to the event, and attributed the large volunteer turnout to Whitmire’s personal call to action.
.@houmayor John Whitmire and Director Kenneth Allen were among those to celebrate Earth Day at Watonga Park, where volunteers from @APA_Corp and other organizations helped us plant 2,500 trees. pic.twitter.com/AesdCPXKf7
— HPARD (@HPARD) April 23, 2024
The energy in the air was palpable as volunteers and city employees joined forces, their collective efforts breathing new life into the park. Together, they wielded shovels and worked tirelessly to create a greener and more vibrant environment. The event was a testament to the power of unity and the shared commitment to nurturing Houston’s natural spaces.
Volunteers spent the afternoon planting trees donated by Apache Oil. Earth Day is meant for reflecting on environmental stewardship, and volunteering with projects like this one honors that spirit. The new trees will absorb carbon dioxide and provide shade and wildlife habitat for years.
Happy Earth Day! To celebrate and conserve the natural resources of the world we live in, we partnered with @houmayor and @HPARD to plant 2,500 trees at Watonga Park. Thank you to our CEO, John Christmann, and all Apache employees who came out to volunteer for Earth Day HTX! pic.twitter.com/D0WHwmRLyx
— APA Corporation (@APA_Corp) April 22, 2024
Houston’s Official Fitness Czar Samir said it was rewarding to work with Mayor Whitmire, neighbors, Apache Oil, and local leaders like Vice Mayor Pro Tem Amy Peck and Councilwoman Abbie Kamin. Their collaborative efforts will leave the park in a better state while supporting sustainability.
Bringing together corporations, elected officials, and community volunteers exemplifies how partnerships can affect meaningful change.
Earth Day is a special day meant for reflecting on how we can better care for our planet. Volunteering with tree planting initiatives is one tangible way to honor the day’s message of environmental stewardship. The new trees will help absorb carbon dioxide from the air and provide shade and habitat for local wildlife for many years to come. The 2024 Earth Day HTX event was part of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Riparian Restoration Initiative intended to enhance and restore forested areas within 70 parks along Houston’s waterways. To date, 25 restoration projects have been completed.
The Earth Day celebration at Watonga Park in Houston was a resounding success, thanks to the collaboration between the City of Houston and Apache Corporation!
