Houston Environmental News Update August 18, 2015

I am excited to welcome Arkie J.Tarr to the CEC!

CEC NOTES

1. Environmental Forum for Houston City Council At-Large Candidates
   
   Please join the CEC on Thursday, September 3, 2015, to hear from all the at-large city council candidates about how they view environmental issues around Houston.

   Charles Kuffner from the political blog, Off the Kuff, will be our moderator and we’ve co-sponsored this event with over 25 different Citizens’ Environmental Coalition partners, including the League of Women Voters and the Hermann Park Conservancy.

   The event will be at the Cherie Flores Pavilion in Hermann Park and will run from 6 until 7:30.

   Please RSVP here and make plans to bring a friend to hear about how City Council candidates view our issues like clean air, clean water, transportation, and more parks.
   Again, the event details are:
   Date:Thursday, September 3, 2015
   Location: Cherie Flores Pavilion in Hermann Park
   Time:6:00 until 7:30 pm

   RSVP here and if you’d like to submit a question for consideration by our moderator, feel free to email rachel@cechouston.org. You can also visit the event page on facebook.
2. New Subscribers
   

   Thank you to our new subscribers: Arkie, Cassie, Julie, Mercedes, Danielle, Ashley, and Carol. We hope you enjoy our emails. Please consider liking us on facebook.

3. CEC Events–Save the Dates
   • November 12, 2015: CEC holiday open house
   • January 28, 2016: Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour
   • March 24, 2016: CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit
4. City of Houston Electoral Forums–save the dates
   

   City of Houston is holding elections for a new mayor and for several city council positions. You may have seen our save the date notice for the environmental forum that CEC is hosting with several partners on September 3, 2015, for at-large council positions. (More info to follow!)

   CEC is not the only one hosting a forum related to environmental issues. Here’s a rundown of other forums of which we know being hosted by CEC member organizations–more details to follow:

   • Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, and Sierra Club – Houston Group –Mayoral Candidate Panel Discussion – September 17, 2015, at 7:00 pm at Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road
   • Blueprint Houston – Mayoral Forum - Saturday, September 26, 2015, 9:00 AM at the Houston Community College Central Campus Auditorium. Cosponsored by AARP, American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Landscape Architects Houston Chapter, American Planning Association Houston Section, Bike Houston, CEC, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, Complete Streets Coalition, Houston Tomorrow, League of Women Voters, and the Superneighborhood Alliance.
   • About 15 Organizations – Mayoral Forum - Thursday October 1, 2015, in the evening at Hermann Park Garden Center
   • League of Women Voters – Mayoral Debate – October 16, 2015

   A few other events are being considered; we’ll keep you posted.

COALITION NOTES

1. UH Whole Foods Market Community Day. On August 20, 2015, visitors to the Whole Foods Market Post Oak (1700 Post Oak Blvd.) location can get a lesson in making their own natural exfoliate hand scrub and pesto while also helping out the University of Houston. As part of Whole Food Market’s commitment to the community, a portion of the sales that day will benefit the Campus Community Garden and Shasta’s Culinary Workshop. Representatives from the University of Houston will be present throughout the day to engage with visitors. The Office of Sustainability, which manages the campus garden, will be hosting an “Herbs to Heal: Make Your Own Scrubs” demonstration from 9:30-10:30am. The UH Department of Health and Human Performance will be represented by nutrition students from its Shasta’s Culinary Workshop who will host an “Herbs to Eat: Make Your Own Pesto” demonstration from 3:30-4:30pm. Learn more at http://uh.edu and RSVP at www.facebook.com.
2. “Houston History: Archives, Magazine, Oral History” Exhibit and Launch Party for Summer Issue: “Houstonians in Action” at the University of Houston. Come out on August 20, 2015, 5:30-7pm, as Welcome Wilson Houston History Collaborative continues to celebrate the Center for Public History’s 30th anniversary. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres, tour the exhibit, meet the authors, view digital projects, and listen to excerpts. The launch party will be held in the lobby of the University of Houston M.D. Anderson Library. RSVP to HoustonHistory@uh.edu or call 713-743-3123.
3. Oiled Wildlife Response Workshops. The Wildlife Center of Texas will be providing two oiled wildlife response training workshops right here in Houston! The workshops are identical in content but offered on two different dates. The first will be sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation on August 21, 2015, from 9am until 4pm. The second will be sponsored by the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division on August 22, 2015, from 9am until 4pm. Clean Gulf Associates will be providing the Oiled Wildlife Response Trailer for washing. Both workshops will take place onsite at The Wildlife Center of Texas. These workshops fill up quickly so sign up as soon as possible! There is limited seating! The purpose of the workshop is to certify and train personnel that are interested in assisting The Wildlife Center of Texas Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill. Certification and training are required for anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response. The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation’s role in Incident Command System, and actual hands on cleaning of oiled feathers in which participants will practice by washing an unoiled white duck. Please register via email at WildlifeResponse@wildlifecenteroftexas.org.
4. Rainwater Harvesting For Homeowners (Urban Harvest). The ABC’s of Rainwater Harvesting for Homeowners. Urban Harvest will cover rain barrels and cisterns for the do-it-yourself water harvester. The Houston area has periods with high rainfalls alternating with periods of practically no rainfall. The sensible strategy is to catch as much water as possible when it rains and then use it to water plants later during times of drought. Why Catch Rain? Some of the benefits of are: 1. rain water is best for your plants. It’s pure and has the lowest salt content of natural water sources. 2. plants are better able to uptake nutrients from the soil. 3. rainwater contains sulfur and nitrogen, important in the formation of plant amino acids and better for beneficial microorganisms 4. rain takes into the soil the mineral nutrients collected from dust in the air. 5. municipal water treatment includes pumping and disinfection, which use precious resources. 6. it reduces your water bill, and every gallon we can store, use and even reuse on site reduces our water footprint. 7. capturing rainwater also helps mitigate flooding. The class will be held on August 22, 2015, 9-11am at the University of St. Thomas. The cost is $30 for members and $45 for non-members. There are no refunds on classes. http://urbanharvest.org
5. Environmental Enforcement Classes. There are free two upcoming environmental enforcement classes that will be held at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices. The first class, Local Control of Scrap Tires, will be held on August 24, 2015, 9am-4pm. Of all the things dumped by Texans, scrap tires are probably the most difficult for communities to handle. This class looks at the ways that local communities can respond to this waste now and in years to come, considering the role of the TCEQ in administrative enforcement. The second class, Coordinated Local Environmental Enforcement, will be held on August 26, 2015, 9am-4pm. This class is an examination of how code enforcement, health department enforcement, criminal enforcement, and civil municipal/county attorneys with civil suit responsibility can work together to create a rational, comprehensive enforcement program for a city or county. This is a detailed class that will cover specific laws and approaches that are useful to creating a strong program of local enforcement. Register by visiting www.tidrc.com.
6. Volunteer Orientation/Basic Training – Baytown Nature Center. The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center at 1724 Market Street and the Baytown Nature Center, 6213 Bayway Drive, Baytown’s environmental education jewels, are currently seeking volunteers who share a passion for the environment, enjoy working with children, and strive to make a difference in their community. The sister sites will hold a joint orientation/basic training on August 25, 2015, at the Wetlands Center. The day begins with an orientation session from 8:30–11:30am which covers the mission, history, facilities and future of the two centers. Prospective volunteers will learn about the centers’ programs and the type of help needed. After a lunch break, participants who wish to work in the environmental education programs will attend the Basic Training session from 12:30–3:30pm. Further training with experienced volunteers will occur when student field trips to the Wetlands Center and Nature Center begin in September. Learn more about the Baytown’s volunteer orientation: Volunteer Orientation August 2015.
7. Free Education Tool: Facts About Texas Water. Facts About Texas Water is a booklet with basic information about water to help Texans understand this important resource, and how to use and protect it. First published in 2003, the Sierra Club has recently updated this popular education piece. Sierra Club would like to share copies of this valuable resource with you…for free! To help in ordering and distributing the publication in the greater Houston area, reservations are requested. Reserve your copies today by following this link: www.emailmeform.com.
8. Public Comment Period and Public Meeting: Funding for Transportation Projects. H-GAC is announcing the opening of a public comment period for candidate transportation projects for state and/or federal funding assistance. The public comment period began on July 27, 2015,, and will end on August 25, 2015, at 5pm. The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments to H‑GAC. All written comments may be submitted to Transportation Public Information, Houston-Galveston Area Council, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777, emailed to publiccomments@h-gac.com, or faxed to (713) 993-4508. For more information, please visit www.h-gac.com. Comments received during the public comment period will be provided to the Transportation Policy Council for its consideration.
9. Green Building Education Seminar: Sustainable Direction in Houston. Governments, faith-based organizations, and businesses are picking up the pace with eco-friendly behavior. Why are these entities investing in personnel and policies to improve their ecological performance? What are their duties and what results are they achieving? Come to the Green Building Resource Center (1002 Washington Avenue) on August 26, 2015, 6-8pm, for a panel discussion composed of representatives from the federal government, city government, a corporate design firm, a local church, and a local sports venue. Learn about the momentum that is building in this arena, and increase your expertise. AIA & USGBC CEU’s available. RSVP to steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov or 832-394-9050. This event is free and open to the public. www.greenhoustontx.gov
10. Bats on the Bayou. The Houston Parks Board (HPB), in partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), presents “Bats on the Bayou,” a free event to introduce families to the bat colony living under Watonga Boulevard Bridge and highlight this special feature along White Oak Bayou Greenway. Attendees will learn about bats from the experts, enjoy bat-themed activities and watch the bats emerge for their evening hunt. Ecologist Cullen “Batgirl” Geiselman, Ph.D., an HPB board member; Jed Aplaca, HPARD Natural Resources Manager; and representatives from TPWD and the Houston Area “Bat Team” will share their knowledge about the Mexican free-tailed bat. The Watonga Parkway bat colony along White Oak Bayou Greenway is just one of the many special places being made more accessible through Bayou Greenways 2020, a project that will create a system of 150 miles of parks and hike and bike trails along Houston’s major waterways. Bats on the Bayou will be held on August 28, 2015, 6:30-9pm. Learn more and RSVP at www.houstonparksboard.org.
11. Introduction to Bird Identification. Are you interested in learning more about the birds that live around us? Armand Bayou Nature Center is holding two introductory bird classes from 1-4pm on August 30, 2015, and September 13, 2015. The classroom session will introduce the concept of bird watching as a hobby including equipment required, reference guides and key points for identification. Class will be followed by a 90 minute walk through all three of the ecosystems at Armand Bayou Nature Center will follow to see how many birds we can spot and identify. Field guides and binoculars will be available for the use of the group. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors over 60 and chilren ages 10-12. This includes daily admission. Reservation is required, call 281-474-2551 x 10 to save your place. Bird Identificationflyer
12. Going Green Sustainability Lecture: Scientific Thinking on Climate Change. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is sponsoring the latest Going Green Sustainability Lecture titled Scientific Thinking on Climate Change to be held at the The Woodlands South Regional Library on September 8, 2015, at 7pm. Larry Kremer will discuss some of the science behind climate change including ocean acidification, sea level rise, arctic melting, and temperature rise. He will also briefly discuss a method to address climate change developed by the Citizens Climate Lobby. This method is a market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gasses by putting a cost on fossil fuel through a revenue neutral Fee and Dividend approach. Learn more at www.thewoodlandsgreen.org. This event is free and open to the public and is not sponsored or endorsed by Montgomery County Memorial Library System.
13. Neches River Rally. The Big Thicket Association will host the 2nd Annual Neches River Rally on September 12, 2015, at the LNVA Saltwater Barrier boat launch on Bigner Road in Beaumont, Texas. Entry fees start at $35 for single paddlers and include lunch, official event T-shirt, goodies and local entertainment. This canoe and kayak rally takes paddlers on one of the most popular paddling trails in Southeast Texas – The Cooks Lake to Scatterman trail is designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as an Official Texas Paddling Trail. It follows Pine Island Bayou, Cooks Lake, Scatterman Lake, and the Neches River. The trail features the famous Madonna Tree with a paddle through a cypress-tupelo forest in the Big Thicket National Preserve. The Neches River Rally, a family friendly event. Entry fees and sponsorships help support the Big Thicket Association’s mission of promoting conservation, environmental education classes, and scientific research in the Big Thicket National Preserve. www.bigthicket.org
14. Public Comment – Cedar Bayou Draft Watershed Protection Plan. The Draft Watershed Protection Plan evaluates the water quality issues present in the bayou, identifies causes and sources of pollution, recommends voluntary solutions, and describes the way these solutions will be implemented and assessed over the next 10 years. It was developed by local stakeholders of the Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership, who include representatives from local government, community groups, industry, commercial interests, agricultural producers, and interested residents, among others. It incorporates sound science and local decision-making to identify effective, voluntary solutions to the water quality challenges facing Cedar Bayou. Take a moment to read and comment on the Draft Cedar Bayou Watershed Protection Plan. Comments or questions can be submitted to Justin Bower at 713-499-6653 or justin.bower@gmail.com. They can also be mailed to Justin Bower, Houston-Galveston Area Council, PO Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777. The comment period ends on September 5, 2015.
15. Galveston Bay Report Card. The Galveston Bay Foundation and Houston Advanced Research Center are pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever report card on the health of Galveston Bay. Find out how the Bay was graded on topics that include issues in water quality, pollution, wildlife, habitat, human health and coastal change. See the report card at http://galvbaygrade.org.
16. Save the Date! Buffalo Bayou Park’s Grand Opening. Come celebrate, recreate and create at the grand opening of Buffalo Bayou Park on October 3, 2015. For this FREE public event, BBP will highlight various destinations and amenities in the 160-acre park that stretches from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street. Enjoy a day full of activities ranging from walking tours, lectures, children’s crafts, recreational opportunities, delicious food, live music and programming that will showcase Houston’s diverse arts community. The grand opening celebration will conclude with Confluence: A Journey in Five Movements, a site-specific walking procession organized by Processional Arts Workshop (PAW) of New York and a fireworks show. http://buffalobayou.org
17. Texas Coastal Watershed Program Website. The Texas Coastal Watershed Program has just announced the launch of their new website: http://valuewetlands.tamu.edu. The website serves as a clearinghouse of programs that provide payments (either direct payment or financial assistance), technical services, tax deductions, low-interest loans, and regulatory assurances for conservation with an emphasis on wetland conservation. It is particularly applicable to private landowners (non-Federal and non-State property holders) on the upper Texas Coast. The mission of this website is to provide landowners with easily accessible information and program links on ways they can economically benefit by choosing sustainable land management. More at http://valuewetlands.tamu.edu.
18. Galveston Bay Foundation – Second Place Gulf Guardian Award. The Galveston Bay Foundation recently received a Second Place 2015 Gulf Guardian Award in the Civic/Non Profit Category. “Founded in 1987 by citizens concerned about the impact of several large projects on Galveston Bay, GBF is a nonprofit organization on the upper Texas coast with the mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay for present users and for posterity. Through 28 years of service, GBF’s strength has been its ability to balance diverse interests to address issues and concerns related to Galveston Bay… GBF has noted many accomplishments in 2014, such as managing the first implementation of the national Incident Command System’s Volunteer Coordination Work Plan during the Texas City Oil Spill. This earned the organization a Certificate of Merit from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard. GBF served as a prime source for spill-related news, by educating boaters about the dangers of dumping wastes into the bay, as well as continued efforts to inform the public about the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund Site process and the bay’s seafood consumption advisories. In addition, recently GBF debuted the Galveston Bay Action Network, an application allowing the public to map pollution concerns/sightings and directly report them to enforcement agencies.” Read more at http://yosemite.epa.gov.

COMMUNITY NOTES

1. Community Outdoor Outreach Program and Workshop. Recreation Grants will be accepting applications for the Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). Tax-exempt organizations and local governments are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 up to $50,000 to fund programs meeting the Texas Parks and Wildlife mission. $1.5 million will be available to applicants introducing non-traditional constituents to TPWD related outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education programs. Applications will be accepted through the online portal called Recreation Grants Online https://tpwrecgrants.fluidreview.com. The deadline for the grant is February 1, 2016. There will be a grant writing workshop held from 9am-noon on August 18, 2015, at TPWD Region 4 Headquarters (14200 Garrett Rd). Information about the grant can be found at http://tpwd.texas.gov.
2. Community ReLeaf RFP. This RFP is designed to select at least three new cities or metro areas to become new Community ReLeaf projects. In each selected community, American Forests’ staff works closely with nonprofit and municipal partners to address needs and help advance sustainable urban forest management and green infrastructure investment through a 3-phase process that includes a scientific analysis, catalytic tree canopy restoration project and public engagement / policy support. For each city, an average of $100,000 is provided in financial and technical support, with a goal of attracting additional resources. This proposal is your opportunity to tell the story of your urban forest needs and capacities, whether you have an advanced operation or are just trying to get started, and to help us understand the goals you wish to achieve through Community ReLeaf. Submit your application by 8pm US Central Time on August 21, 2015. If you have any questions, feel free to email Ian Leahy, Director of Urban Forest Programs, at ileahy@americanforests.org. Find the application at www.americanforests.org.
3. 73rd Annual Bulb & Plant Mart. One of the largest and oldest horticultural events in Texas, the 73rd annual Bulb & Plant Mart, sponsored by the Garden Club of Houston, (GCH) will be held October 1-3, 2015, at St. John the Divine Church (2450 River Oaks Blvd). More than 500,000 top-quality bulbs from domestic and international suppliers from Amaryllis to Zantedeschia (Calla Lily) will be available at the Mart. Experienced as well as beginning gardeners will find an expanded collection of hard-to-find and unusual Crinums, Daylilies, Gingers, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and citrus plants, including unique offerings from the gardens of GCH members, grown specifically for the Mart. Visitors to the Bulb & Plant Mart will receive a Horticultural Guide for Houston, prepared by the Club. The booklet includes the botanical names and descriptions of the items for sale, information on planting and caring for plants, as well as a planting calendar for bulbs. Over 100 different bulb varieties can be pre-ordered before the Mart. All Pre-Orders will qualify for GCH’s sales tax exemption; minimum order is $30.00 and all orders save 10%. Orders must be received by September 1st. Learn more at www.gchouston.org.
4. Buffalo Bayou: Houston’s Past, Present and Future. Have you ever wondered why the fourth largest city in the United States was founded on swampland 50 miles inland in a hot, humid, flood-prone region? It all goes back to Buffalo Bayou, a natural waterway wending 75 miles from the Katy Prairie to the San Jacinto River. This six-week course will explore the Buffalo Bayou’s pivotal role in shaping Houston’s past, present and future and will illuminate the ebbs and flows of Houstonians’ relationship with the bayou. From the Allen Brothers’ 1836 landing to the development of the shipping industry and neighborhoods along its shores, to today’s renewed appreciation of the bayou’s influence on quality of life, the bayou was, is and will always be “the backbone of Houston.” The class will meet on six Mondays from 7-8:30pm, from September 28 to November 2, 2015. Registration before September 14 is $170, and $180 after. The cost for Rice alumni is $162. Learn more and register at http://glasscock.rice.edu.
5. Sea Turtle Rescue Hotline for Texas. What if you found an injured sea turtle on the beach — but couldn’t reach the right person to come rescue her? For years, it was difficult to reach wildlife agency personnel to come help along the Texas Coast, because there was no central phone number to call.  And this is one of the key habitats of endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles! That’s why Turtle Island Restoration Network started the Sea Turtle Hotline for the Texas coast. Anyone who finds an ill or injured sea turtle, spots a sea turtle nesting, a hatching emerging, or accidentally hooks a sea turtle while fishing may call 1-866-887-8535. This hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round, and organizations along the Texas coast are responding to these calls and saving thousands of sea turtles. Learn more at https://seaturtles.org.
6. Grant Applications for Clean Water Act Projects. The TCEQ and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Exit the TCEQ administer federal grants for activities that prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution. The TCEQ has released its Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for Fiscal Year 2016 nonpoint source projects under the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until September 4, 2015 (3pm CT). To access the grant application, visit the Electronic State Business Daily website. At the web site, in the “Browse Postings” section, in the line for “Agency Requisition Number,” enter 582-15-55292 and click “GO” to access this RFGA. The RFGA page contains links for “Package 1,” the RFGA instructions, ranking criteria, timetable, and other important information for applying, and “Package 2,” the application form in Word format. Learn more at www.tceq.texas.gov.
7. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas Pest Seminar. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting a free Texas Pest Seminar on September 10, 2015, 8am-2pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office (3033 Bear Creek Drive). The featured speakers are Allen Smith, Matt Weaver, Marianne Waindle, and Emmett Muennink. Topics include: Emerald Ash Borer and the Texas Action Plan, Bacterial Diseases of Trees, Trunk Injection Demonstration, Piercing/Sucking Insects, and more. Lunch is provided. RSVP by September 4th to emuennink@arborjet.com. HoustonWorkshop2015
8. Gulf of Mexico Program Cooperative Agreements 2015. The EPA is now accepting applications for grants for projects that address water quality improvement; coastal habitat and ecosystems enhancement, restoration and/or protection; environmental education and outreach; and strengthen community resilience in the Gulf of Mexico region and its watersheds. The deadline for applications is September 15, 2015. Learn more at www.grants.gov.
9. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.
   • The Crappie Guys

   • Wild Game Cooking: Cooking Crappie

   • The Natural Place (The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center)

10. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • August 19, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • August 20, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • August 21, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • August 22, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.

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