Jim Robertson of the Cypress Creek Greenway Project joins us to discuss smart development of Cypress Creek and the history and achievements of the Greenway Project.

We discuss his background, how he became interested in and involved in the local green space, what he has done, how the CC Greenway Project and the CC Flood Control Coalition started, what they have accomplished, how they function, the benefits of nature to us all, and what you can do to help and get involved.

About Jim: "Jim received a BA in Geology, then went to Columbia University to earn a PhD in Marine Geology. After a career working for Chevron in the oil industry, he initiated efforts on the Cypress Creek Greenway Project (CCGP) in January 2004, of which he became Chairman in July 2004.

"He is also Director of the Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition, Director of the Bayou Preservation Association Director, the Cypress Creek Watershed Representative to the Bayou Preservation Association, a member of the Bacteria Implementation Group (BIG) of the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC), and serves on the steering committee for the Cypress Creek Watershed Partnership (H-GAC managed program).

"He has won many awards, including the "Grassroots Award" from The Park People (2008), the "Mayor's Volunteer Houston Award" - Environmental and Wildlife Preservation (2012), the "Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award" - Bayou Preservation Association (2014), the "Diamond Award" - Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce (2015), the “Environmental Impact Award” – North Houston Association (2017).

"He is a long-time resident of the Cypress area, where he lives with his wife Ginny. They have two daughters and four grandchildren."

Contact Michael:
1. ccerppodcast@aol.com
2. http://www.goldams.com
3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gold-2883921/
4. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1152144714995033/

Join us at CCERP on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1152144714995033/


Show notes.
1. Cypress Creek Greenway Project
a. http://ccfcc.org/2007-cypress-creek-greenway-project/
b. https://www.hcp4.net/parks/ccgw/
c. https://communityimpact.com/houston/spring-klein/city-county/2018/11/12/greenway-projects-on-cypress-and-spring-creeks-continue-to-advance/

2. Cypress Creek Flood Control Coalition: http://ccfcc.org

3. MUD
a. https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=227010
b. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District

4. HOA
a. https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/real-estate/homeowners-association-law/homeowners-associations.html
b. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeowner_association

5. European "right to roam" or "freedom to roam:" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_to_roam

6. The affect of green spaces on property values; just a starter for you
a. https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/windows-doors-and-floors/9-surprising-things-add-value-your-house/
b. https://depts.washington.edu/hhwb/Thm_Economics.html
c. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265969625_Effect_of_public_green_space_on_residential_property_values_in_Belfast_metropolitan_area
d. https://sites.duke.edu/urbaneconomics/?p=1441
e. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/14/living-near-green-spaces-boosts-property-prices-2500-average/

7. The importance of nature to our mental and physical health and well-being
a. https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health
b. https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2017/06/15/the-science-behind-how-nature-affects-your-health/#5b6e27ee15ae
c. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104990/
d. The Nature Fix by Florence Williams: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Fix-Happier-Healthier-Creative/dp/0393355578/
e. Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Child-Woods-Children-Nature-Deficit/dp/156512605X/

8. Epigenetics (have not read these books except for the first one; just mentioning them for your consideration; just a starter for you).
a. The Epigenetics Revolution: How Modern Biology Is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease, and Inheritance by Nessa Carey: https://www.amazon.com/Epigenetics-Revolution-Rewriting-Understanding-Inheritance-ebook/dp/B0074MTTEK/
b. Epigenetics: The Death of the Genetic Theory of Disease Transmission First Edition
by Joel D. Wallach D.V.M, Ma Lan M.D., Gerhard N. Schrauzer Ph.D.: https://www.amazon.com/Epigenetics-Genetic-Theory-Disease-Transmission/dp/1590791495/
c. Epigenetics: How Environment Shapes Our Genes by Richard C. Francis: https://www.amazon.com/Epigenetics-How-Environment-Shapes-Genes/dp/039334228X/
d. You Are What Your Grandparents Ate: What You Need to Know About Nutrition, Experience, Epigenetics and the Origins of Chronic Disease by Judith Finlayson and Kent Thornburg: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-What-Your-Grandparents/dp/0778806332/

Picture and bio courtesy Jim Robertson.