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What are the WISE Awards?
The Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards recognize innovative Projects, Programs, or Individuals in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving and protecting water quality. No funding is associated with this award program.
This program is overseen by the Natural Resource Advisory Committee, an advisory committee to the Houston-Galveston Area Council Board of Directors.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Local Governments
- Businesses
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Universities and Educational Institutions
- Utility Districts
- Individuals
Projects, programs, or efforts in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties are eligible for recognition. Joint applications for larger collaborative efforts are encouraged, but not required.
Winning submissions must exhibit efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation, and serve as models that improve water resources.
2026 WISE Awards Application Guide
For complete details on the WISE Awards application, please review the 2026 WISE Awards Application Guide.
Now Accepting 2026 WISE Awards Applications
The 2026 WISE Awards application period began on Monday, March 2, 2026.
How to Submit Your Application
All 2026 WISE Awards applications must be submitted online using the WISE Awards Application Portal.
- Create a 2026 WISE Awards Application Portal account by completing the 2026 WISE Awards Application registration form.
This step must be completed even if you have previously submitted a WISE Awards application in past years. - Log into the 2026 WISE Awards Application Portal.
- Begin a new 2026 WISE Awards application.
- Complete your application by providing all required information on the online application form.
The 2026 WISE Awards Application Portal allows you to save your progress and resume work on your application at a later time. - After completing your application, and ensuring all required information has been provided, submit your application online.
By submitting an application, the applicant agrees all contest materials may be used in presentations and publications developed by Houston-Galveston Area Council without further acknowledgement. Selected projects may be featured on the Houston-Galveston Area Council website and social media channels.
Application Deadline
2026 WISE Awards applications must be submitted online by 12:00 pm, Friday, April 3, 2026.
2025 WISE Awards Honorees
The 2025 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards winners were celebrated on Monday, September 29, 2025, at H-GAC. The application portal for the 2026 awards program will open on Monday, March 2, 2026.
City of Pearland
Urban Forestry Drone Program is the 2025 Winner in the Program Performance category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate City of Pearland for operating such an impressive program and for ensuring more accurate and timely decision-making for water quality interventions.
City of La Marque
Arts in the Park is the 2025 Winner in the Completed Effort (Less Than $200,000) category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate the City of La Marque for taking action to increase public awareness of the local environment and the importance of protecting natural resources.
Greenwood Utility District & Partners
Wastewater Treatment Plant is the 2025 Winner in the Completed Effort (Greater Than $200,000) category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate Greenwood Utility District, A&S Engineers, CSA Construction, Radcliffe Adams Barner, Blitch and Associates, Municipal District Services for this proactive planning and commitment to deliver essential infrastructure that supports the community's health, environment, and economic vitality.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Texas Watershed Steward (TWS) program is the 2025 Winner in the Education and Public Awareness category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for empowering our communities and encouraging stewardship of our region’s water resources.
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s Water Management Plan is the 2025 Winner in the Policy and Planning category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate Houston Parks and Recreation Department for establishing and demonstrating best management practices (BMPs) that support regional water initiatives.
Tom Douglas
Tom Douglas is one of two winners in the 2025 Individual Excellence category. It’s H-GAC’s great honor to recognize Mr. Douglas with an award for his commitment to protecting natural resources, and his reliable participation in and vocal support of numerous natural resources organizations.
Marissa Llosa
Marissa Llosa is one of two winners in the 2025 Individual Excellence category. It’s H-GAC’s great honor to recognize Marissa Llosa on her phenomenal legacy as a consistent advocate for water resource protection.
City of Jersey Village
Jersey Village 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan received Special Recognition in the 2025 Innovation in Planning For Sustainable Resource Management category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate the City of Jersey Village's dedication to protecting public health and safety while supporting economic development.
City of La Marque
Mahan Park Boat Ramp Expansion received Special Recognition in the 2025 Expanding Access to Natural Resources category. H-GAC wishes to congratulate the City of La Marque for revitalizing public access to natural resources in underserved communities.
Past Honorees
2024 Honorees
H-GAC congratulates the following 2024 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards recipients:
- City of West University Place, Winner in the Program Performance Category
- City of La Marque, Winner in the Completed Effort (Less Than $200,000) Category
- Howard Hughes, Inc. - Bridgeland, Winner in the Completed Effort (Greater Than $200,000) Category
- Harris County Flood Control District, Winner in the Research and Monitoring Category
- Galveston Bay Foundation, Winner in the Education and Public Awareness Category
- SWA Group & Partners, Winner in the Policy and Planning Category
- Teri MacArthur, Winner in the Individual Excellence Category
- City of Galveston, Special Recognition in the Innovation in Water Resources Management Category
- City of West University Place, Special Recognition in the Water Quality Protection Technology Category
2023 Honorees
H-GAC congratulates the following 2023 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards recipients:
- Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Winner in the Program Performance category
- City of Bay City Parks and Recreation, Winner in the Completed Effort (Less Than $200,000) category
- Gulf Coast Authority, Winner in the Completed Effort (Greater Than $200,000) category
- City of Mont Belvieu, Winner in the Research and Monitoring category
- The Woodlands Township Environmental Services, Winner in the Education and Public Awareness category
- Texas Water Resources Institute, Special Recognition in the Excellence In Community Outreach category
2020 Honorees
H-GAC congratulates the following 2020 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards recipients:
- Houston Wilderness, Winner in the Policy and Planning category
- City of Houston-Houston Public Works, Winner in the Education and Public Awareness category
- Friends of the River San Bernard, Special Recognition in the Exemplary Environmental Advocacy by a Citizen’s Group category
- City of Houston-Houston Public Works, Special Recognition in the Exemplary STEM Engagement of K-12 Students category
2019 Honorees
H-GAC congratulates the following 2019 Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards recipients:
- Harris County Flood Control District, Winner in the Completed Effort (Less Than $200,000) category
- Harris County Precinct 3, Winner in the Completed Effort (Greater Than $200,000) category
- City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Winner in the Policy and Planning category
- Galveston Bay Foundation, Winner in the Education and Public Awareness category
- Bayport Berm Planting, Port of Houston Authority (Port Houston), Special Recognition in the Robust Community Involvement category
- Supplemental Detention Criteria, Special Recognition in the Positive Integration of Amenities in Planning category
- Bridgeland Creek Parkway Sections Seven and Eight, Special Recognition in the Innovative Approach for New Development category
- City of Sugar Land, Special Recognition in the Proactive Planning & Leadership category
- Houston Wilderness, Special Recognition in the Effective Use of Natural Pollution Mitigation Measures category
WISE Award Application Information
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Local Governments
- Businesses & Industry
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Universities and Educational Institutions
- Utility Districts
- Individuals
Projects, Programs, or Individuals in Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller, and Wharton counties are eligible for recognition.
Joint applications for larger, collaborative projects are encouraged but not required.
Winning Projects, Programs, or Individuals must exhibit efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation and serve as models to improve surface water quality.
WISE Awards Categories
The 2026 WISE Awards honor Projects, Programs, or Individuals demonstrating innovation and excellence for protecting and improving water quality through any of the following:
Planning and Policy
The Planning and Policy category honors Projects, Programs, and Individuals improving water quality through strategic planning and policy creation. Submissions should highlight how entities effectively utilize planning tools, author plans, or implement policy, such as ordinances.
Education and Public Awareness
The Education and Public Awareness category honors Projects, Programs, and Individuals improving water quality through public and stakeholder engagement. Submissions should bring to light how everyday activities impact water quality, create a sense of personal investment, and spur positive behavior changes.
Examples include but are not limited to, stormwater drain marking volunteer initiatives, pet waste management campaigns, workshop series on invasive species, or community clean-up events.
Completed Effort (Greater than $200,000)
The Completed Effort (greater than $200,000) category honors Projects, Programs, and Individuals that have contributed positively toward improving water quality by installing structures or enhancements.
This includes, but is not limited to repairs or installation of new wastewater treatment facilities, remediation or replacement of on-site sewage systems, installation of wetland detention basins, riparian buffers, low impact development/green infrastructure projects, or other vegetative areas with a water quality benefit.
Completed Effort (Less than $200,000)
The Completed Effort (less than $200,000) category honors Projects, Programs, and Individuals that have contributed positively toward improving water quality by installing structures or enhancements.
This includes, but is not limited to repairs or installation of new wastewater treatment facilities, remediation or replacement of on-site sewage systems, and installation of wetland detention basins, riparian buffers, low impact development/green infrastructure projects, or other vegetative areas with a water quality benefit.
Research and Monitoring
The Research and Monitoring category honors efforts tracking changes in water quality and measuring the efficacy of strategies and practices put in place to improve water quality. Submissions should demonstrate quality assured methodology, measurable metrics, and how the findings enhance understanding of water quality.
This includes, but is not limited to efficacy studies for low impact development/green infrastructure projects, targeted monitoring of regional waterways to identify sources of pollution, or explorations of emerging topics in water quality such as microplastics.
Program Performance
The Program Performance category honors efforts by a specific team or program that strives to continually set a high bar for themselves and does amazing work on a consistent basis.
Examples might include programs to find and remove illicit connections, measures taken to prevent sanitary sewer overflows, outstanding Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) Programs, or finding new innovative ways to run on-site sewage facility inspection programs.
It could also be an accounting of how a program or team responded to an emergency situation caused by mechanical failure or weather event that kept environmental damage to a minimum.
Individual Excellence
The Individual Excellence category honors individuals that go above and beyond to protect and improve water quality. Nominees may be recognized for their independent work or as stand-outs within their programs.
These individuals show leadership, and don't settle for doing the minimum required to achieve their goals. They are innovators, encouraging the incorporation of new technologies and ideas to improve their programs.