Name: Nature by the Book: City Limits
Start: 2025-01-11T10:00:00-06:00
End: 2025-01-11T12:00:00-06:00

[Intellect U Well, Inc.](intellectuwell.org) and [Outdoor Afro Houston](https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorAfroHouston) are hosting the [Nature by the Book](https://www.bonfire.com/intellect-u-well-inc-merch-store-5/?productType=bacf6cd6-b53d-469c-ab96-02afe5b15f71) discussion event again! Our reading this time will be *[City Limits: Infrastructure, Inequality, and the Future of America's Highways](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711708/city-limits-by-megan-kimble/)* (Penguin Random House, 2024), written by [Megan Kimble](https://www.megankimble.com/)!

[Texas Observer](https://www.texasobserver.org/) Review: [A Roadmap To Rebuilding Communities](https://www.texasobserver.org/roadmap-to-rebuilding-communities/)

[Houston Public Media](https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/) Interview: [Life is a Highway… in Texas, at least. But what have we traded off?](https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/shows/houston-matters/2024/04/09/482972/life-is-a-highway-in-texas-at-least-but-what-have-we-traded-off/)

"Every major American city has a highway tearing through its center. Seventy years ago, planners sold these highways as progress, essential to our future prosperity. Instead, they divided cities, displaced people from their homes, chained us to our cars, and locked us into a high-emissions future. Nowhere is this more visible than in Texas. In Houston, Dallas, and Austin, residents and activists are fighting against massive, multi-billion-dollar highway expansions that will claim thousands of homes and businesses, entrenching segregation and sprawl. In *[City Limits](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711708/city-limits-by-megan-kimble/)*, journalist [Megan Kimble](https://www.megankimble.com/) weaves together the origins of urban highways with the stories of ordinary people impacted by our failed transportation system.

In Houston, a young Black woman will lose her brand-new home to a new lane on Interstate 10—just blocks away from where a seventy-four-year-old nurse lost her home in the 1960s when that same highway was built. With propulsive storytelling and ground-level reporting, *[City Limits](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711708/city-limits-by-megan-kimble/)* exposes the enormous social and environmental costs wrought by our allegiance to a life of increasing speed and dispersion, and brings to light the people who are fighting for a more sustainable, connected future."

**Pre-reading is encouraged but NOT required.**

This outing will take place at [Willow Waterhole Greenway](https://www.willowwaterhole.org/), tucked away in the southwest Houston neighborhood of Westbury just south of Meyerland. The greenway, a stunning gem of nature still relatively unknown to Houstonians, is a 300-plus-acre network of lakes, prairie, marsh, islands, native plants, wildlife, and park amenities. This unusual urban setting is designed to protect against Houston’s inevitable flooding and to bring the community together for conservation, education, and recreation.

**Event Cost: Participation in this event is free. The print version of the book is available from various websites and bookstores for the retail price of $30. Digital (eBook) versions are also available.**

Where We Will Meet: We will meet close to the Bob Schwartz Gazebo. Look for James in the Black Outdoor Afro Leader shirt! Parking is free.

What We are Doing/What to Expect: After introductions, we will discuss the book (in its entirety) during our sit-down portion. Immediately afterward, for those interested, we can also explore the park!

Who’s Coming: This event is open to all ages, so bring your friends, family, and kids. However, PLEASE REGISTER EVERYONE for our records.

What Should You Wear/Bring: Dress in breathable, lightweight clothing. Please wear closed-toe shoes with good support. We will encounter different terrains (mulch, concrete, dirt, sand, etc.), so it is always essential to keep your feet covered. We will be in direct sunlight at various times, like walking the trails and exploring the distinct locations. Reusable water bottles and light snacks are highly recommended. We highly encourage those requiring more water or dehydrating quickly to bring an extra water bottle because it may get hot while we are out.

**Extras: If you register and cannot make it, please be courteous to others and remove your registration so others who may be on the waiting list have a chance to participate!**

Please review the [waiver](https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver) at [https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver](https://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver)

[Willow Waterhole Greenway](https://www.willowwaterhole.org/) is a beautiful place to see and hear birds and other wildlife, so we suggest bringing your favorite pair of binoculars or a camera to take pictures!

Please feel free to contact James directly if you have any questions about this event!

Outdoor Afro Houston

Travel & Outdoor

Travel

Camping

Adventure

Hiking

Outdoors

Black Professionals

African American Families

OutdoorAfro

Black Men

African Americans

Walking

New In Town

Fitness

African American Women

Kayaking

Have you reviewed the Outdoor Afro trip waiver athttps://outdoorafro.my.site.com/s/trip-waiver so that we can start on time?

Nature by the Book: City Limits

Details