Harris County’s legal move against a concrete plant near LBJ Hospital in Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward aims to address air quality concerns.
Elena Bruess
Elena Bruess covers the environment for the Houston Landing. She comes to Houston after two years at the San Antonio Express-News, where she covered the environment, climate and water. Elena previously worked in the Midwest as a reporter for Circle of Blue, a nonprofit newsroom where she focused on water issues in the Great Lakes region. Before that, Elena covered health and inequity in Chicago as a Pulitzer Center reporting fellow. She is originally from Northeastern Iowa and holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a degree from University of Iowa's undergraduate writing program. When not on the beat, Elena will be reading a book in the sun or getting ultra-caffeinated at a coffee shop.
Oyster harvesters and ecologists partner to rehabilitate a popular reef in Galveston Bay
A depleted oyster reef near San Leon is making a comeback with the help of empty oyster shells and water cannons.
EPA to track source of chemicals in Greater Fifth Ward that exceed screening levels
The Environmental Protection Agency released test results of cancer-causing chemicals near the Union Pacific railyard in Greater Fifth Ward.
Native prairie grass returns to Houston area after decades of urban development
Only 1 percent of the southern coastal prairie remains. Local wildlife ecologists are bringing it back to Houston.
EPA awards Harris County nearly $250 million for clean, accessible solar energy projects
The funding can aid in lowering electricity costs for lower-income residents in Harris County and accelerate the energy transition for all of Texas.
Endangered sea turtles nest on Galveston Beach. We joined a volunteer who protects them.
The most endangered sea turtle in the world nests in Galveston. Conservationists must remove their eggs to protect them.
Houston is repairing its aging sewer lines. Some residents say it’s not enough
The city doesn’t repair sewage leaks caused by aging infrastructure when they occur on private property. Residents and advocates want to change that.
The total solar eclipse is around the corner in Texas. Here’s what to know.
Viewing the solar eclipse in Central Texas may be Houstonians’ last chance for decades. The city won’t experience a total solar eclipse until 2200.
EPA, Union Pacific release first set of contamination results in Greater Fifth Ward
Some locations tested by the EPA had higher levels of Creosote-related chemicals than EPA standards. These were found in sewers, a well and soil.
Did you see smoke coming from the Arboretum recently? There’s a good reason why.
Houston: Prescribed fires create a healthy level of biodiversity, leave behind nutrients for the soil and burn through excess brush.