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September 16, 2015

Houston Environmental News Update September 16, 2015

If you have an interest in the high seas–and the inland waterways that feed them–this week is for you. Not only is Talk Like a Pirate Day coming up on Saturday, this time of year is notable for World Water Monitoring Day on Friday, International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday (also the following Saturday, September 26, 2015), Pollution Prevention Week–celebrating 25 years of the 1990 Pollution Prevention Act, National Estuaries Week, and National Public Lands Day (the 26th). Throw in the International Day of Peace and National Voter Registration Day (the Texas deadline to register is October 5) and you have too many things to do and be thankful for.

CEC NOTES

  1. New Subscribers

    Thank you to our new subscribers: Lucy, Dixie, and Elyse. We hope you enjoy our emails. Please consider liking us on facebook.

  2. CEC Events–Save the Dates
    • October 28, 2015: Volunteer Networking Meeting
    • November 12, 2015: CEC Holiday Open House and Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
    • January 27 & 28, 2016: Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour
    • March 24, 2016: CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit
  3. City of Houston Electoral Forums–save the dates

    City of Houston is holding elections for a new mayor and for city council positions. Here’s a rundown of other forums of which we know being hosted by CEC member organizations:

    • Houston Mayoral Candidate Forum: Growth and Climate Change. September 17, 2015, at 7:00 pm at Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road. Sponsored by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, and Sierra Club – Houston Group.
    • Mayoral Candidate Forum–Plan Houston: A Roadmap to Success. Saturday, September 26, 2015, 9:00 AM at the Houston Community College Central Campus Auditorium. Sponsored by Blueprint Houston, co-sponsored 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.
    • Growing a Greener Houston: How do we get there? Mayoral Forum on our Parks, Bikes and Waterways – and Connecting to them. Thursday October 1, 2015, in the evening at Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in the McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park. Sponsored by Bayou Preservation Association, Bike Houston, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green, Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition, Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston Botanic Garden, Houston Parks Board, Katy Prairie Conservancy, Keep Houston Beautiful, Memorial Park Conservancy, Scenic Houston, Student Conservation Association and Trees for Houston.
    • Mayoral Debate. October 16, 2015, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Dunham Theater at Houston Baptist University. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. To be broadcast on KPRC. Note: The League is also hosting a series of conversations with the candidates. More information is available on the LWV website.

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

COALITION NOTES

  1. Galveston Bay Bacteria Reduction Plan. After 5 years of hard work, the Galveston Bay Bacteria Reduction Plan (Oyster Waters I-Plan) was officially approved by the TCEQ Commissioners. This community-based plan lays out the major sources of concern and recommended management measures for reducing bacteria levels to standards that are safe for oyster consumption. The primary sources addressed in the plan include: wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary sewer overflows, malfunctioning septic systems, boat sewage, stormwater runoff. Learn more and view the plan at http://galvbay.org.
  2. Galveston Ornithological Society Calendar. The Galveston Ornithological Society has just begun offering calendars for 2016! Find out more by calling 409-370-1515 or visiting www.galvestonbirders.org.
  3. Texas Gulf Coast Gardener Program 2015-2016. Mercer Botanic Gardens is thrilled to offer the Texas Gulf Coast Gardener program again this fall. This program has excellent and knowledgeable speakers who will guide the novice and dedicated gardener. A full list of speakers is in The Leaflet article, page 2 at  www.hcp4.net. These courses are a great fall gift for you and your favorite gardening friends. Learn how to grow your own botanic garden and design a sustainable landscape at home! These classes will help you learn how to plan, plant, and maintain your own gardening paradise! The registration fee for each Tier is $200 for current TMS members and $225 for non-members. Learn more at http://themercersociety.org.
    • Tier I: Intro To Gardening. Tuesdays, September 22 – November 17 (9am-3pm)
    • Tier II: Outstanding Landscape Plants. Thursdays, September 24 – November 19 (9am-3pm)
    • Tier III: The Art of Landscape Design. Mondays January 25 – February 29 (9am-3pm)
  4. Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale. For a limited time you can buy barrels and bins at a discounted price! Check out the Green Building Resource Center sale at www.rainbarrelprogram.org. Purchase now, and the items will be ready for pickup on October 10, 2015, between 10am and 2pm.
  5. MyHouston2040: Idle Threat. Houston Tomorrow, Air Alliance Houston, Better Houston, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Community Artists’ Collective agree that Houstonians can build a better Houston today by thinking about the Houston we may inherit in 2040 and the Houston we want in 2040. Each happy hour will include time for networking and socializing, a topical speaker who will give an informational presentation on Houston urbanism, transportation planning, culture, environment, and more, and a visionary speaker who will give their “My Houston 2040″ talk. The next meeting will be held on September 17, 2015, at 5pm at Rudyard’s Pub. The meeting will include a short video, Idle Threat, which details vehicle idling. A discussion will follow about the City of Houston Anti-Idling Ordinance (which is up for vote at City Council and has generated much debate in recent weeks). This event is free and open to the public. http://airalliancehouston.org
  6. I Get Around: Houston Transportation Panel. How do you get around Houston? Join Architecture Houston for an informative discussion about personal transportation in Houston – from buses to bikes to rail to cars to van pools and most things in between. Panelists will discuss the current state of the local transportation systems, examine the relationship of the individual systems with each other, and discuss how they might be best integrated through planning, funding and use to serve the needs of Houston. The discussion will be held on September 17, 2015, at 5:30pm at Architecture Houston. https://aiahouston.org
  7. Mayoral Candidate Panel Discussion. You are invited to attend a panel discussion by mayoral candidates on the topic of Growth and Climate Change- How Will Houston Address the Next Decades? This event, which will take place on September 17, 2015, at 7pm at the Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, is hosted by the Houston area Sierra Club, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby with support of OilPatch Democrats. Candidates will respond to questions they received prior to the event from each of the hosting organizations. www.facebook.com
  8. Upcoming Wildscapes Workshop Plant Sale First Look by Joe Blanton. The Native Plant Society of Texas – Houston Chapter Wildscapes Workshop & Plant Sale will be held on September 17, 2015, 7-9pm at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Come see the “first look” what unique and hard-to find native plants will be available. Not only that, but learn where to place them in your garden and what conditions they will thrive in so they look their best. Learn more at http://npsot.org.
  9. PARK(ing) Day. For one day, at the base of the JP Morgan Chase Building (600 Travis), most of the parking spots will become parks. The Rice Design Alliance will be among more than 15 groups installing these temporary parks on September 18, 2015, in Downtown Houston. In recent years, Houstonians converted parking spots at scattered locations for the annual event known as PARK(ing) Day, but this year groups are consolidating their presence to bring awareness to parks, built environments, urban dwelling, and how public space is viewed in Houston. The temporary parks are free and open to the public. www.ricedesignalliance.org
  10. BPA’s 2nd Annual Cypress Creek Regatta. This is a fun race for families and individuals of all ages and skill levels. The 7.5 mile ACA sanctioned race, will take you on the amazingly scenic stretch of Cypress Creek. You will see beautiful landscapes, birds, fish, and of course other racers. The Bayou Preservation Association along with various partners have been working non-stop to clean-up Cypress Creek and officially have it become the newest and longest paddling trail with Texas Parks and Wildlife. The 2nd Annual Cypress Creek Regatta will continue to raise awareness of the beautiful Cypress Creek Paddle Trail as well as help raise funds to clean up all of our waterways. The race will be held on September 19, 2015, at 8:45am. The starting location is Mercer Arboretum, and the finish line location is Jones Park. There will be a free celebration and festival at the finish line! https://cypresscreekregatta.rallybound.com
  11. Critters Uncorked. Evergreen members are invited to Critters Uncorked, an evening for young professionals to enjoy light bites and beverages courtesy of sponsor Saint Arnold, as they learn from freshwater turtle and tortoise expert, the Houston Zoo’s Chris Bednarski. A voice for turtle conservations for 20 years, Bednarski will share details of the numerous conservations efforts he has been part of and his current conservation project that will help imperiled turtles and tortoises in South East Asia. The event is free for current Evergreen members. For non-members, the event is $30, but will go towards your first Evergreen membership should you decide to join at the event. A full individual membership to Evergreen costs $50, which includes a basic membership to the Arboretum (discounts to events), invitations to all Evergreen events, invitations to Arboretum volunteer opportunities, and more. The event will be held on September 18, 2015, 7-9pm. http://houstonarboretum.org
  12. LID – Low Impact Development in Houston. What is being done to mitigate flooding in Houston? Why do many design professionals prefer LID infrastructure? Part of the reason is its lower costs to install, it works with nature instead of against it, and it treats stormwater as a resource instead of a waste product. Stormwater management is the vital function that serves to mitigate flooding that happens all too frequently in the Gulf Coast, and this panel will discuss some new tools being deployed. Join the Green Building Resource Center for a presentation that will educate you about LID principles, construction and maintenance technologies, alternative strategies that can make a significant difference to the status quo, and some of the award winning projects already installed in Houston. The presentation will be held on September 22, 2015, 6-8pm. It is free and open to the public. RSVP to steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov or 832-394-9050. www.greenhoustontx.gov
  13. HANC Native Milkweed Plant Sale. Join Houston Arboretum & Nature Center for their native milkweed plant sale! This sale will offer hard to find gallon size plants in a variety of native species including: Asclepias viridis, A. tuberosa and A. perennis. By planting native milkweed, you’ll be supporting monarch butterflies, attracting beneficial pollinators, and adding some color to your garden. The milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies will lay their eggs and caterpillars feed. The sale will be held on September 26, 2015. The sale will be open to members only form 9-11am, and then will open up to the public from 11am-1pm. For more information, visit http://houstonarboretum.org.
  14. Armand Bayou Nature Center Volunteer Orientation. Experience the joy of volunteering and the satisfaction of doing important work by supporting one of this nation’s most significant habitat preserves as an Armand Bayou Nature Center volunteer. Join ABNC on September 26, 2015, for an overview of Armand Bayou Nature Center and the many volunteer opportunities. A schedule of the advanced training and specialized assignments will be included in the training session. Both days will include classroom and outdoor activities so please come prepared with a sack lunch and sturdy shoes. Ages 18+. To sign up, please call or email Liz VanOrstrand, ABNC Volunteer Coordinator, 281-474-2551×18 or Liz@abnc.org. www.abnc.org
  15. BPA’s Dancing through the Decades. Take a trip back in time and dance the night away celebrating the perfection of Houston’s bayou system. Bayou Preservation Association hosts its annual gala, Dancing Through The Decades, at the serene home of Kristi and John Schiller on September 30, 2015, at 6:30pm. The event will bring bayou-loving Houstonians together to raise funds and recognize the organization that strives to protect the city’s 2,500 miles of waterways. This year’s celebration embraces the six decades that the Bayou Preservation Association has helped preserve and restore waterways. Don the attire of your favorite decade and enjoy a fun filled evening of al fresco cocktails, culinary concoctions and entertainment celebrating Houston’s pristine bayou system. For more information, visit www.bayoupreservation.org or contact Jennifer Cate at 713-206-5505 or jennifer@cateproctor.com.
  16. 2015 Park to Port Bike Ride. The second annual Park to Port Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, October 3. The 20-mile ride will start in Hermann Park and travel east along Brays Bayou to the Port of Houston, where there will be a turn-around party, sponsored by the Port of Houston Authority, with snacks, music and activities at Brady’s Landing. Riders will then return along the same path, heading west, to Hermann Park for a post-ride celebration where there will be music, food, partnerships with local organizations, and more. Riders can also turn around at MacGregor Park for a shorter ride. Registration is $35. Learn more and register at https://hermannpark.ejoinme.org.
  17. 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
  18. BPA’s 12th Annual Water Quality Symposium – Trash, Plastic and Automobiles: Gross Pollutants in Our Watersheds. The Bayou Preservation Association will focus on pollutants at its 12th Annual Symposium titled “Trash, Plastic & Automobiles: Gross Pollutants in Our Watersheds.” To be held at the United Way of Greater Houston on October 9, 2015, from 8am-3pm, the Symposium will include fun and informative presentations covering many topics, including the Path of Trash, the Bottle Bill, illegal dumping, floatable control efforts, TxDOT’s “Don’t Mess with Texas” campaign, Equusearch’s car removal program and much more. The keynote speaker for this year’s Symposium is Chad Pregracke, founder of Living Lands & Waters and 2013 CNN Hero of the Year for his efforts in removing debris from our nation’s largest rivers (estimated at 8.4 million pounds) with the help of his crew and more than 87,000 volunteers. BPA’s Symposium has become a sought-after event among key policy makers, planners, scientists and engineers who value the expertise presented throughout the day-long conference. The registration fee is $35 for students and Bayou HEROns and $65 for general registration. Register online at www.bayoupreservation.org.
  19. ABNC Prairie Pandemonium. Volunteer to help restore one of the last remaining stands of Texas coastal tallgrass prairie! ABNC Prairie Pandemonium will be held on October 17, 2015, 8am-noon. Volunteers will become part of a planting effort to transplant native grasses and wildflowers into ABNC’s restored prairies. Volunteers will need to bring sturdy shoes and clothes that can get muddy. Tools and work gloves will be provided. To register, contact zach@abnc.org. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by and adult. PP Flyer 2015
  20. 2016 Trash Bash T-shirt Design Contest. The River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash® is excited to announce the 2016 T-shirt Design Contest! This is the third year that students in grades 1-8 to have been able to enter their original drawings in a contest to design the front of the Trash Bash® t-shirts. In addition to being printed on more than 5,000 shirts provided to volunteers, three winning students will receive cash prizes, recognition on the Trash Bash® website, and framed artwork. The entry deadline is October 23, 2015 (postmarked). Find out more and download a contest entry form at www.trashbash.org.
  21. Camera-Sharing Program Helps to Combat Illegal Dumping. Illegal dumping is a problem. It threatens human health, harms the environment, impacts quality of life, and burdens the community with significant costs. To assist in this battle against illegal dumping, the Houston-Galveston Area Council Solid Waste Program has purchased illegal dumpsite surveillance cameras which are able to capture clear videos day or night as well as license plates of cars traveling at speeds up to 50 mph. Cameras will be available for local governments to use, but must be used for illegal dumping enforcement 100% of the time. Learn more at www.h-gac.com.
  22. Call for Projects Houston Zero Emission Delivery Vehicle Deployment. The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is requesting responses from regional fleets or vehicles owners through a Call for Projects for the purchase and deployment of all-electric medium/heavy-duty delivery vehicles including step vans or box trucks. The vehicles must operate within the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria non-attainment area and applicants are expected to provide two years of data collection and reporting. Responses to the Call for Projects must include a partnership between a fleet / vehicle owner and an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). In total, the project includes deployment of at least 30 all-electric medium/heavy-duty delivery trucks. Technologies eligible for this particular project include zero emission all-electric trucks configured as a box trucks or step vans. A Call for Proposal package may be downloaded below, or obtained by contacting H-GAC’s Air Quality Program, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777, (713) 627-3200, fax (713) 993-4508, or by email at airquality@h-gac.com. All questions regarding the RFP must be made via email or in writing. The closing date is December 31, 2015. Learn more at www.h-gac.com.
  23. Critical Wildlife Habitat Saved on Galveston Island. On Monday, August 31, 2015, Artist Boat finalized the purchase of 99 acres of Galveston Island coastal habitat from the Galveston Preserve at West Beach, Ltd., which is a partnership of the Texas General Land Office and MP Marquette, Galveston, LLC.  With funding provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the strong cooperation of the sellers, Artist Boat was able to protect the tract from future development.  This acreage is being added to Artist Boat’s Coastal Heritage Preserve, an initiative to protect a critical suite of wetland, tidal flat, coastal upland prairie, and open bay habitats on the west end of Galveston Island. The acquisition helps bring together, under single ownership and management, a total of 306 contiguous bayside acres to date, ensuring protection of these critical back-barrier island habitats in perpetuity. Artist Boat’s acquisitions for the Coastal Heritage Preserve, and its implementation of habitat management measures, will ensure the long-term health of these habitats for wildlife. Read the full press release: NFWF Closing_PressRelease_8-31-15_NJv2.
  24. Region H Water Planning. The Region H Regional Water Planning Group has completed their draft 2016 Regional Water Plan, or Initially Prepared Plan and submitted it in May 2015. The main purpose of the Plan is to make recommendations for how to meet the projected water needs of the region for the next 50 years. Although the Plan is an extensive document that represents the efforts of many over the last five years, there are many concerns about what is and is not in the Plan, as well as some concerns about the planning process itself. In order for a water supply project to be eligible for state funding, it must be in a Regional Water Plan and the State Water Plan. With the passage of Proposition 6, SWIFT (State Water Implementation Fund) money is now flowing to build new water supply projects. In the rush to the bank, we must be vigilant to ensure water planning is being done in a careful and comprehensive way that takes all water needs into consideration, ensuring the future health of our springs, rivers, bays, and wildlife while we provide for human water needs. Learn more and read the written comments on the 2016 Region H draft Plan submitted by Texas Living Waters member organizations (Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Galveston Bay Foundation) at http://texaslivingwaters.org.
  25. L.A.N.D.S. Outreach Fall 2015 Programs. Fall semester Discovery Trunks, Wildlife by Design Classroom Presentations, and Distance Learning Programs are now available! These programs are full of great material for students and teachers. There are many hands-on materials and lessons to go along with them, plus many more lessons designed to fit those ever important TEKS. Learn more about the L.A.N.D.S. Outreach Fall 2015 Programs.
  26. Air Alliance Houston Education Programs. Air Alliance Houston has FREE air pollution and health education programs for elementary and middle school students. Three age-appropriate curricula are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives in science, health, language arts, and fine arts. Book Ozone Theater for your students today! “Pesky Polluters” introduces Kindergarten through second grade students to the concept of air pollution and the difference between clean air and dirty air. In “Good Ozone, Bad Ozone,” third through fifth graders learn the difference between the ozone layer and ground-level ozone. They are introduced to the federal government’s Air Quality Index and they act out appropriate, safe activities for times when ground-level ozone is elevated. In “Air Pollution Solutions,” middle school students learn the basic facts of air pollution: what it is, where it comes from, and what they can do about it. Learn more at http://airalliancehouston.org.

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. World Water Monitoring Day. World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD), celebrated on September 18 each year, is a global educational outreach program that aims to build public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by empowering citizens to carry out basic monitoring of their local water bodies. www.monitorwater.org
  2. The Annual Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival. Everything you want to know about hummingbirds – including identifying, attracting, and gardening for hummingbirds. There will be games and activities for the whole family. The Kleb house will be open for tours and the blacksmiths will be demonstrating in the barn. The festival will be held on September 19, 2015, 9am-3pm at the Kleb Woods Nature Center. Hummingbird Festival Flyer
  3. UH Symposium Series – Arctic Drilling: Untapped Opportunity or Risky Business? Four times a year, UH Energy sponsors the Energy Symposium Series, a panel discussion on critical issues in energy with leading experts on issues relevant today. The next event has been scheduled for September 24, 2015, 5:30-7pm at the University of Houston, Student Center South, Houston Room. The topic is Arctic Drilling: Untapped Opportunity or Risky Business. There is no cost to attend. Learn more at www.uh.edu.
  4. Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Each year, the TCEQ commissioners and the governor’s office honor the state’s most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards (TEEA). Winners from across the state are chosen who represent ways Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and safe management of waste. Share Your Story in one of 9 diverse categories from Civic/Community to Education to Pollution Prevention. The categories are: Agriculture, Civic/Community, Education, Individual, Pollution Prevention, Innovative Operations/Management, Technical/Technology, Water Conservation, and Youth. Winners will be honored at an awards banquet held on May 4, 2016 where videos of the winning projects will be featured. See winner videos from 2015 and apply today by visiting www.teea.org. Applications will be accepted through September 25, 2015.
  5. Community Connections: Bringing Together Scientists and Local Voices. Whether it’s protection from chemical hazards, resilience to climate change impacts, or a food system that is accessible and affordable, communities across the country are working to improve health and safety. We can all benefit when all members of the community—scientists, policymakers, and residents alike—have access to the best available science and can break down barriers to shape decisions. This event will be held on September 26, 2015, at the Houston Community College Conference Center. The town hall will include a diverse audience of community groups, science organizations, technical specialists, citizens, and elected officials. Participants will learn and share stories from their own experiences of connecting science and community around a range of issues. The first half of the event will be a broader look at what it means to connect communities and science. The second part will focus on collaborations among Houston’s community and science experts to address local issues facing Houston. The event will be webcast, so everyone will be able to listen to the panel discussions and participate online. Learn more and register at www.ucsusa.org.
  6. Creation Care Fest/Environmental Extravaganza – State of Our World. The 2015 Creation Care Fest/Environmental Extravaganza will address the State of Our World. The event will be held on September 27, 2015, at 1pm at the University of St. Thomas in Robertson Hall. Professor Dan Cohan of Rice University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will speak on The State of the Air; Professor Hyun-Min Hwang of Texas Southern University, Department of Environmental Science & Technology, will address The State of the Waters; Professor Maury Harris of the University of St. Thomas, Environmental Science & Studies Department, will speak on The State of the Land; Professor Chris Gabler of the University of Houston, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, will speak on The State of the Plants; and Professor Amy Dunham of Rice University, Department of Biosciences, has recommended two of her students, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology majors Kathryn Hokamp, a senior, and Ben Johnson, a sophomore, to speak on The State of the Animals. In addition to the speakers above, children’s activities about nature will also be offered simultaneously, for children 5 and older. Informational materials from area environmental non-profits will also be available. For more information about the event, please contact Lisa at gcs.lrc@gmail.com or call 713-372-7345. Creation Care Fest 2015
  7. 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 is $180. The cost for Rice alumni is $162. Learn more and register at http://glasscock.rice.edu.
  8. 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.
  9. 2015 TAEE Conference. The Texas Association for Environmental Education Conference 2015 will be held October 9-10, 2015, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. The conference will cover: strategies for education programs and classrooms, STEM in Texas, program development and sustainability, assessment and evaluation, what’s new in EE literacy, certification and guidelines. Dr. Laura Downey, Executive Director of Kansas Association for Conservation & Environmental Education, will be the Keynote Speaker. Registration is $60 (includes lunch and a membership to TAEE for one year). Learn more at https://sites.google.com.
  10. Local Park Grant Program. Recreation Grants is now accepting applications for the Urban Outdoor, Non-urban Outdoor, and Small Community Local Park Grant Programs through October 1, 2015. The Local Park Grant Program consists of 5 individual programs that assist local units of government with the acquisition and/or development of public recreation areas and facilities throughout the State of Texas. The Program provides 50% matching grants on a reimbursement basis to eligible applicants. All grant assisted sites must be dedicated as parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public. Learn more at http://tpwd.texas.gov.
  11. Railroad Commission Proposed Rulemaking – Public Comment. At its open meeting on August 25, 2015, the Railroad Commission approved a proposed rulemaking to be published for public comment. The proposed amendments in §12.108 would adjust the annual fees for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The comment period will end at noon on October 12, 2015. For more information on the proposed rules and to access the online comment form, visit www.rrc.state.tx.us. Subscribe to the RRC Rules list to receive copies of all rule drafts, proposals, adoptions, or other related information regarding rules approved by the Commission.
  12. 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.
    • Garner State Park
    • The Climate Detective
    • Birding Basics
    • Outdoor Info: Canoe Basics
  13. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • September 16, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • September 17, 2015: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. If incoming background levels are high enough, winds may be light enough for ozone levels to reach the lower end of the “Moderate” range on the west and northwest side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
    • September 18, 2015: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. If incoming background levels are high enough, winds may be light enough for ozone levels to reach the lower end of the “Moderate” range on the west and northwest side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
    • September 19, 2015: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. If incoming background levels are high enough, winds may be light enough for ozone levels to reach the lower end of the “Moderate” range on the west and northwest side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.

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