April 8th, 2017

Oil spills consisting of crude oil or drilling “mud” are often found at oil and gas drilling sites.  Drilling fluids are captured during drilling in pits and held for later disposal. The frequency of spills and improper maintenance and disposal of drilling mud results in soil, surface water, and groundwater impacts.  Once the drilling field has been exhausted or abandoned due to economic reasons, the wells, drilling equipment, tanks, pits, gathering lines, and other equipment (as seen in the pictures above) are left behind for property owners to cleanup. Because there are no requirements in most states for property owners Read More »

April 5th, 2017

  Many people enjoy feeding bits of bread to hungry ducks and geese as their children laugh, squeal, and giggle feeling as if they are part of nature.  However, Texas Parks and Wildlife warns that feeding migratory ducks at local ponds and creeks can create problems for the birds and the environment.  These problems include: Malnutrition Dependency Disease Environmental Degradation Water Pollution Artificial feeding also attracts birds to human habitats such as parking lots, fast-food restaurants, and retention ponds where they are subject to injury or accidental death.  Waterfowl are protected by natural cover in wildlife areas that provide protection from bad Read More »

April 4th, 2017

SSCI participated in a fishing trip courtesy of Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC) and Texas Legacy Outdoors. Captain Dwayne Green navigated the waters of Matagorda Harbor and Matagorda Bay resulting in a successful catch by Helen I. Hodges, President of SSCI.  Ms. Hodges with her catch, a Speckled Trout, is pictured with Captain Green on Matagorda Bay on March 18, 2017. ABNC located in Clear Lake, Texas stands out as one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the United States, providing the community with exceptional educational, recreational, and health benefits of nearby nature.  ABNC is planning for the future Read More »

April 2nd, 2017

SSCI has a long tradition of mailing out seeds in the spring.  This year we are mailing Forget-Me-Not-Seeds (Blue – Myosotis sylvatica). Forget-Me-Not Flowers grow well in shady areas and require minimal care to flower.  Forge-Me-Not flowers grow best in damp, shady areas but adapt well to sun light.  These long-lived flowering plant product beautiful foliage year after year.  Plant in fall or spring when cooler temperatures help them get a healthy start.  Drop us a note at ssci@sscienvironmental.com if you would like to receive a package of seeds.