Riffles & Reeds Newsletter - Summer 2025
Director's Report
By Dr. Sandra Metoyer, Executive Director
The Environmental Institute of Houston’s outreach efforts have continued to grow this spring, with prospective collaborations, more community engagement, and opportunities to share our work with broader audiences.
One of the most exciting developments has been a multi-part media project with strategic partners from KPRC and the Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP). This effort highlights the work of several partner organizations doing important environmental work in our region, including the Galveston Bay Foundation, Houston-Galveston Area Council, and Artist Boat. Kudos to Debbie Bush, who is coordinating this effort for EIH. It’s also been a pleasure working with Pam Campbell and Sabiha Mahmood (KPRC), Zoe Gapayao (GBEP), and Lisa Marshall (GBEP)—their commitment to telling these stories with visual impact has made this a truly rewarding collaboration. We’re proud to be a part of this initiative and invite you to view the aired segments:
- White Oak Bayou Riparian Restoration, featuring Kelly Ondracek
- Trash Bash, with insights from Kendall Guidroz and Liz Fazio Hale
- Oyster Shell Recycling Program, established by Bob Stokes and Tom Tollett
- Coastal Heritage Preserve, with Karla Klay of Artist Boat
On April 30, I had the opportunity to represent EIH at the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon. I co-hosted a Spotlight Table alongside Shannon Samuelson, Director of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), and we shared information about our summer camps, the Texas Envirothon, and other EIH programs with community leaders and local teachers. It was a great opportunity to build connections and spread awareness about our mission.
Dr. Sandra Metoyer and Shannon Samuelson hosted an outreach table at the Clear Lake
Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon, highlighting EIH programs and UHCL’s
continuing education opportunities.
A prospective volunteer stops by the EIH table during the Texas Master Naturalist
Volunteer Showcase, where Rowena McDermid shared ways to get involved and highlighted
upcoming programs.
On May 1, Debbie and Rowena McDermid (Environmental Education Assistant) hosted a
table at the Texas Master Naturalist Volunteer Showcase at Armand Bayou Nature Center.
They connected with new and prospective volunteers, provided information on how to
get involved with EIH, and continued strengthening relationships with our conservation-minded
community.
As I wrap up my first year as Executive Director, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this talented and passionate team. Over the past year, I’ve learned so much about the work being done at the Institute and the people behind it. There’s still more to learn, and I look forward to continuing that journey, building on the strong foundation already in place.
Research Notes
By Kaylei Chau, Research Associate, and Tiernan Pytlak, Graduate Research Assistant
This summer, EIH is kicking off a pilot study in partnership with HCSWCD and HCFCD to investigate how native plant diversity may improve soil health in managed landscapes. In preparation, staff and students have attended workshops and events focused on soil health, native plants, and practical strategies for sustainable land management.
Education Notes
By Jinx Uribe, Education Intern
Texas Envirothon was hosted April 5–7 at Long Acres Ranch in Richmond, Texas. Congratulations to the Green Dragons from South Texas ISD Science Academy on advancing to the international NCF-Envirothon in Calgary, Alberta! Read on to learn how EIH staff, students, and dedicated volunteers made this year’s event a success.
Alumni Highlight
By Rowena McDermid, Environmental Education Assistant
EIH alumnus Jeffrey Fato, ‘21 BS, '25 MS, recently sat down with Rowena McDermid to talk about his time at EIH, his transition to the Galveston Bay Foundation, and how his role has grown into managing multiple restoration projects around the bay.
Upcoming EIH Events
For details about how to register for our events, visit the links or contact EIH@uhcl.edu.
| ONGOING | |
|---|---|
| Habitat Work Day - every Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. at EIH | |
| Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas Monthly Meeting - second Monday at 6:45 p.m., in-person at UHCL and online; does not meet in July | |
| Youth Birding Club - third Saturday at 9 a.m., location varies; does not meet in July and August | |
| UHCL Bird Count - third Tuesday at 7 a.m. from the EIH parking lot |
| July | |
|---|---|
| 4 | University closed in observance of Independence Day |
| August | |
|---|---|
| 18 | First day of classes for students |
| September | |
|---|---|
| 1 | University closed in observance of Labor Day |
There are many ways to learn and get involved with community environmental activities this summer. Below are some events from our colleagues around the Bay.
- Plastic Free July - Take SPLASh's One Less Plastic Pledge to commit to reducing single-use plastics.
- Texas Audubon Bird Survey at Exploration Green - second Tuesdays, 7–10 a.m.
- Moonlit Moth Mania at Exploration Green - second Saturdays, 7:30–9 p.m.
If you would like to share an event for the next issue of Riffles and Reeds, please email us at EIH@uhcl.edu.
Check out everything we accomplished this spring!
EIH in the News
Innovative Tech Advances Research and Management in the Gulf
Publications and Reports
Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program January 2025 Newsletter
Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program April 2025 Newsletter
Oakley, J.W., Swinford, J., Curtis, S., Anderson, J., Sak, A., Underwood, E., Davis, S., Fredrickson, A., and Guillen, G. 2025. Eel ramps and environmental DNA reveal a preliminary recruitment window of the American eel in Texas. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 17(3):1-11. doi: 10.1093/mcfafs/vtaf007
Presentations
Curtis, S., Oakley, J.W., Sak, A., Underwood, E., Swinford, J., Anderson, J., Fredrickson, A., Davis, S., Nichols, Z., Casarez, M., Santee, N., Gordon, M., Guillen, G. 2025. A collaborative approach to assessing American eel (Anguilla rostrata) recruitment in Texas. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Asheville, NC. Presentation.
Hammerbach, G., Gordon, M., DeChellis, D., Thurman, L., and Howard, C. 2025. Evaluation of microplastic loading in Texas diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin littoralis) and their associated habitats. Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium (April 2025) and Houston Regional Ecology and Evolution Symposium (May 2025). Houston, TX. Presentation.
McDaniel, S. 2025. Long-term research on bottlenose dolphins in Galveston Bay. Texas Mariner’s Cruising Association Meeting. Kemah, TX. Presentation.
Perkins, K., Oakley, J.W., Pilgrim, E., and Gordon, M. 2025. Comparing eDNA metabarcoding and standardized electroshocking to assess fish assemblages in Texas rivers and streams. Houston Regional Ecology and Evolution Symposium, Houston, TX. Presentation.
Events
Becoming an Outdoors Girl events at Brazos Bend State Park (Feb. 1), UHCL (Mar. 1), and Long Acres Ranch (May 14)
Texas Envirothon Teacher Workshop at Long Acres Ranch (Feb. 15)
Surface Water Quality Monitoring Training Course at UHCL (Mar. 17–20)
Texas Envirothon at Long Acres Ranch and UHCL (Apr. 5–7)
Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program Volunteer Training, co-hosted with Galveston Bay Foundation, at UHCL and Seawolf Park (May 31 & Jun. 1)
Awards
Gabrielle Hammerbach, Loralei Miller, Bailey Steward, Sunny Rodrigues, and Anthony Sanchez
Gabrielle Hammerbach was named the College of Science and Engineering Outstanding Biology Graduate Student for 2025.
Loralei Miller received the College of Science and Engineering Outstanding Environmental Science Undergraduate Student award for 2025.
Bailey Steward was selected as a College of Science and Engineering Outstanding Biology Undergraduate Student for 2025.
Sunny Rodrigues, student assistant, earned the Talon Achievement Award, the most prestigious recognition awarded to a student leader, in recognition of his dedication and impact across campus. Sunny was also awarded the Sue Fellman Servant Leadership Scholarship.
Anthony Sanchez, student intern, was recognized with the Best Student Organization award for his leadership and contributions to student life.
Graduates
Vimal Aditya – M.S. in Environmental Management
Kylie Perkins – M.S. in Biological Sciences (Thesis: Comparing eDNA metabarcoding and standardized
electroshocking to assess fish assemblages in Texas rivers and streams)
Tiffany Goldstein – B.S. in Environmental Science (with honors)
Carmen Gonzalez – B.S. in Environmental Science (with honors)
Chelsey Hill – B.S. in Environmental Science (with honors)
Loralei Miller – B.S. in Environmental Science (with honors)
Bailey Steward – B.S. in Biology (with honors)
What's New?
New Students
Drew Eisenbach, Research Volunteer
Ashley Killgore, Research Volunteer
Nathan Shaw, Research Volunteer
New Employees
Shae Bejaran, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Danielle DeChellis, Research Technician
Issabella Garcia, Coastal Ecology Research Intern
Chelsey Hill, Graduate Research Assistant
Hanah Martin, Research Technician
Kylie Perkins, Research Intern
Brandon Smith, Coastal Ecology Research Intern
Madeline Sunshine, Coastal Ecology Research Intern
New Projects
Preliminary Baseline Soil and Vegetation Analyses in Areas with Native Plant Communities
Funded by: Harris County Soil and Water Conservation District
PI: Kaylei Chau
Did you miss an issue of Riffles & Reeds?
Our previous newsletters can be found online! Do you have any news or events you'd like to see featured in our future newsletters? Send your suggestions to EIH@uhcl.edu.
We thank all of our supporters and partners who make our work possible.
Thank you for your continued support of our programs. To learn more about EIH or to make a contribution in support of our research, education, and student success, please visit our website at www.eih.uhcl.edu.
Contact
-
Environmental Institute of Houston
Phone: 281-283-3950
Email: eih@uhcl.eduNorth Office Annex
2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 540
Houston, TX 77058-1002
