The Japhet Creek Restoration project's mission is to restore the natural beauty of Japhet Creek. Japhet Creek is one of the few tributaries to Buffalo Bayou north of the bayou.
(Google Map )
Its spring fed waters have been a dumping ground for years. For decades, polluters have thrown cement blocks, tires, scrap metal, and small trash into the creek. In November 2004, the Japhet Civic Association lead by Jim Ohmart and Eileen Hatcher decided to clean up the creek and restore this natural habitat for red tailed hawks, night herons, red-eared slider turtles and the
many other species that make this creek their homes. Over the a year's worth of efforts, over 140 volunteers have removed over 295 bags of trash, 104 tires 2200 pounds of scrap metal, planted over 100 saplings, and distributed over 15 pounds of seedballs. We have expanded our collaborations to include Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Trust for Public Land and Keep Houston Beautiful. Groups that have attended include, University of Houston clubs, members of the Permaculture Guild of Houston and many other concerned and responsible Houstonians who want to see this natural gem preserved.

In the fall of 2006, we'll have four restoration days:

Sept. 30
Oct. 14, 28
Nov. 11

These restoration days will begin at 9 am and last until about 12 pm or sooner. Volunteers meet at the empty lot on the corner of Emile and 4601 Clinton Dr. During these days, crews of volunteers will help pick up small trash, plant native trees, broadcast seeds, and other efforts to help restore the creek to its original beauty. Cotton gloves, trashbags, and water will be provided as will supervision from the restoration team. Volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeves, shoes they don't mind getting dirty and any sunscreen or insect repellent they would need. At the end of the day, volunteers will enjoy hotdogs and sodas. For more information about this project, contact project manager, Brian Herod at 713-480-6303 or bjherod(at)gmail.com. We hope to see you at one of the workdays to work together to restore this wonderful natural resource.

We need many skills and abilities in addition to trash pickers; clerical for registration,cooks for the hot dogs, sorters & stackers to separate recycleables. WE NEED YOU!!