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Community Environmental services Industry news Safety SSCI history
Hidden Dangers of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
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 »
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 »
Community
A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at the office! A great day of fishing is even better.
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 »
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.
All water bodies within a watershed in Texas are threatened by many types of non-point sources (NPS) of pollution which can detrimentally affect the state’s valuable water resources. In order to recognize, control and prevent these sources of pollution, the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) have partnered up to initiate the Texas Watershed Steward (TWS) program. The TWS program provides a science-based, watershed education to help citizens identify and take action to address local water quality impairments. Watershed stewardship means caring for the water, air, and biodiversity in the entire watershed. Read More »
This past Saturday, February 27, 2016, SSCI members Vanessa Padron and Chrystal Fretwell participated in the 2016 Unleash Your Superhero 5K Fun Run in support of one of SSCI’s favorite charities, Interfaith Caring Ministries (ICM). The event took place at Walter Hall Park in League City, Texas, at 7:50 am for the Kids’ 1K and 8:00 am for the Adults’ 5K. ICM supporters (both human and canine) were dressed as their favorite Superheros as they ran past the finish line. This event was a great way to bring the community together on a beautiful Saturday morning to support a great cause. SSCI would Read More »
One of SSCI’s favorite charities, Interfaith Caring Ministries (ICM), is having a fun, healthy event for the whole family. Do us a favor and check out their Super Hero Fun Run The mission of Interfaith Caring Ministries (ICM) is to honor our faiths and strengthen our community one family at a time by helping local families, individuals, and seniors in need. Find out more information at Interfaith Caring Ministries.
One of SSCI’s favorite charities, Armand Bayou Nature Center, is currently taking reservations for their January Owl Prowl! Sign up now before all the spots are filled. January 23rd, 5:15pm. Ages 6+. Call 281-474-2551×10. ABNC was founded based on the conviction that an educated, involved community is vital to the preservation of our natural environment. ABNC has two missions: provide environmental education to the public and act as the steward of the 2,500 undeveloped acres under its care. ABNC receives no regular government funding and relies on foundation support, contributions from business and industry, dues, special project funding and the Read More »