Houston Environmental News Update April 26, 2017

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a Texas legislative update and green job listings.

While the official Earth Day was last Saturday, the celebration continues through the month. (Actually, we prefer to think that every day is Earth Day.)

While CEC is not hosting its own event on Saturday, we’ll be participating in the Walk for the Woods Project, the Circles of Resistance Climate March, the Houston Parks Board’s  Bayou Greenway Day, and Friends of Woodland Park’s Light the Night for Firefly Field family event.

CEC NOTES

Stump the Treehugger: Earth Day Environmental Trivia Contest

Join CEC at Saint Arnold Brewing Company on Sunday, April 30, 2017, from 4 PM to 6 PM for the Earth Day Houston Environmental Trivia Contest. Sponsored by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, this exciting new way to celebrate Earth Day will stimulate and challenge all area tree-huggers (as well as budding ones). Both individuals and entire teams of eight are welcome to sign up for the contest (individuals will be assigned to a team). Think & Drink for the Planet!

• Enviro 101
• Soils
• Plants and Agriculture
• Water
• Air
• Animals and Wildlife
• Human Footprint
• Politics, Government, and Eco-Justice
• Global Issues

Ripe Cuisine food truck will have healthy, plant-based, seasonally inspired, and locally sourced delicious food available for purchase.

Support CEC & EarthShare at HEB!

Throughout the month of April and into the first week of May, look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-off coupons at the check-out stands in any Texas H-E-B and Central Market store. As a member of EarthShare of Texas, CEC (and several of CEC member organizations, including Galveston Bay Foundation, HARC, Air Alliance Houston, Bayou Preservation Association, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Environmental Defense Fund, Katy Prairie Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy in Texas, Texas Sierra Club, SPARK School Park Program, and Texas Campaign for the Environment) will definitely benefit from these funds!

Earth Day Houston 2017
Dozens of Earth Day festivals will be held throughout the Houston area in 2017. We have begun compiling a list of Earth Month events on our calendar.

If you are hosting an Earth Month event (or any environment-related event), please be sure to let us know so we can share it! Information can be sent to news@cechouston.org.

Earth Day Houston 2018

The CEC is gearing up for the Earth Day Houston 2018, and is recruiting members for our planning committee. Join us at a planning meeting on May 11, 2017. To become a part of this exciting event, contact Marina Rossow, Program Manager, at 713-524-4232 or marina@cechouston.org.

COALITION NOTES

1. Sustainability and the Brain
   Why is sustainability and green building an easy-sell to some, and resisted by others? A few key books provide a plethora of explanations. Steve will present interesting facts and hypotheses from social, cognitive, and political sciences, and climate change works, that will help you answer that question. Steve began a booklist in 2003 in his quest to understand more about the environment and the perception of it. More and more has been written about the topic, almost to a crescendo; and Steve’s short list can get you up to speed. Each attendee will receive an updated booklist, which features a host of books that will make this discussion different. AIA & USGBC CEU’s available. Join the US Green Building Council at the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, for an informative seminar. Free and open to the public. Please RSVP to steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov.  For more information and a map, visit www.greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf.
2. Hermann Park Evening in the Park
   On Friday, April 28, 2017, join the Hermann Park Conservancy for their annual gala: Evening in the Park.This annual spring event raises funds that help the Conservancy continue to improve and maintain Hermann Park through daily volunteer and stewardship programs. The event begins with cocktails along the Jones Reflection Pool followed by dinner beside McGovern Lake in an elegant outdoor setting. The evening ends with dessert and dancing. Learn more at hermannpark.org.
3. Exploration Green! Wetland Planting Days
   The season for planting wetlands is in full swing! The public is invited to wade in and plant along the shores of the new lake at Exploration Green on Saturday, April 29, and May 13 and 27, from 9am to 12pm. Native species will be planted in the shallow margins, providing habitat to water birds, and natural cleansing of stormwater runoff. Wear shoes and clothes that can get muddy, sun protection, and bring a water bottle. All tools and instruction will be provided. Supervised children are welcome with their families. Exploration Green is in Clear Lake City, in the Bay Area. Park along the street and enter the park at 1800 Reseda. ​
4. Walk for the Woods Project
   This estimated 5K walk will take you on a journey through Houston’s historic East End, where many of The Woods Project’s students live and play. It is the biggest fundraiser of the year for The Woods Project and promises to be a great morning of community, history and fun! The scenic route includes stops along a beautiful undeveloped area of Buffalo Bayou, where walkers will learn about the efforts to clean up the bayou.  Additionally, what makes this Walk very unique are the history stops found throughout the route, such as Firehouse #2.  Walkers are encouraged to visit history stops to learn about important people and places in the area and the role they have played in shaping Houston. Learn more at thewoodsproject.org.
5. People’s Climate March Houston: Circles of Resistance
   On April 29, 2017, 10:00 am, Clinton Park. Facing a President who denies the reality of climate change, and openly attacks women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ people and workers, we need to act together and make it clear that we will not stand for any attempts to undermine the fight for justice. In 2014, we came together in unprecedented numbers to demand world leaders take bold action to address the climate crisis. We marched 400,000 strong through the streets of New York telling a story that reflected the breadth of our movement so powerfully that no one could ignore it. Now, we need to do that again — and we need to make sure our voices join with the calls for racial and economic justice, for immigration reform, and a democracy that protects people. The politics of President-elect Trump threaten all of us, and we need to stand together. Learn more at actionnetwork.org.
6. Bayou Greenway Day
   On Saturday, April 29, 2017, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, get to know your bayou at Bayou Greenway Day, a FREE outdoor festival in MacGregor Park with games, music, giveaways and more. Experience the beauty of Brays Bayou Greenway while enjoying free activities, hosted by Houston Parks Board and other community organizations. Learn more at houstonparksboard.org.
7. Light the Night at Woodland Park
   This free, family-friendly event is the biggest event Friends of Hermann Park has ever done. On Saturday, February 29, 2017, Friends of Woodland Park will have food trucks, face painting, fun activities for the kids, a prize raffle, and live music from funk/soul/rock band, Supreme Tabby. It’s a Houston-sized party for its second-oldest park–and in support of their efforts to Light the Night for Firefly Field. Learn more at woodlandpark.org.
8. Transition Houston Meeting: If you’re not for Zero Waste, how much are you for?
   Join Transition Houston on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, in welcoming Melanie Scruggs of the Texas Campaign for the Environment who will present details of Houston’s adoption of a Zero Waste Plan. Socializing starts at 6:30pm and the meeting begins at 7:00pmat the Haven’s Center, 1827 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098. More information about this event, and their May 7 Permablitz, is available at transitionhouston.org.
9. OKRA Charity Saloon features green groups for Earth Month
   April’s charities focus on sustainability: Bayou Land Conservancy, Galveston Bay Foundation, Gulf Coast Monarch Project, Slow Food Houston. Let’s take care of Mother Earth. The concept is simple. For each drink purchased, guests receive one vote that they may cast that night for one of four charities selected by OKRA’s members. The charities are all locally based. The charity with the most votes at the end of the month receives the next month’s proceeds.
10. Nature Discovery Center to Reveal Park Renovations
    The Nature Discovery Center is excited to reveal its completed Gateway Project and nature park renovations at its upcoming event, Gateway to Nature: Experience our Park Transformation. On Saturday, May 6, 2017, please join the center in this celebration on May 6! A short ceremony at 10 am to thank donors and contributors will be followed by a series of family-friendly activities throughout the renovated nature park, highlighting the various improvements. Learn more at naturediscoverycenter.org.
11. Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston Kick-off Event
    Sunday, May 7, 2017, 5 – 7 p.m. People of all faiths are invited to come together on Sunday, May 7 at 5 p.m. for the kick-off of the new Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston (a Houston chapter of TX Interfaith Power and Light, see http://texasimpact.org/). The purpose of the new organization is to empower the faith community in Houston to advocate and act collectively as stewards of the environment.  The organization also invites staff of local environmental non-profits to join, so that a strong connection between them and the faith community can be nurtured.  The event will include highlights of the basis for care of the earth from many faith traditions, a vegetarian dinner, the top 12 things your house of worship can do today to steward energy, water and biodiversity and to reduce waste, as well as time to get to know each other and build relationships. If you are a faith leader, and would like to speak at the event, or for any questions about the new organization, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.  The kick-off event will be held at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, located at 3303 Main St. in Houston. Metro bus line 82 and the light rail stop nearby.  Please register for the event for planning purposes.
12. EarthShare of Texas 25th Anniversary Round Table Discussion Series
    Happy Anniversary to EarthShare of Texas!  To celebrate 25 years, EST is hosting a Round-Table Discussion Series to introduce the public to all of the great work its members have accomplished.  You will be amazed at everything they have been able to get done to protect Mother Earth! From air quality to zebra populations, they have it covered. Buying a ticket to the entire series will gain you entry into the following events:
    • Bats, Birds, and Barbecue- A dinner discussion of wildlife and habitat conservation with a viewing of  the awesome bat emergence at Bracken Bat Cave May 20, 2017 Bracken Cave, San Antonio
    • Toxic Tour- Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale of Air Pollution in Houston.  A three hour (bus) tour.  June 9, 2017 -Air Alliance Houston.
    • On the Ground Floor of Ground Water: A breakfast discussion divining the future of our most precious resource.   July date tbd Redbud Center
    • The Hot Topic of Climate Change- Greater Houston Environmental Summit Aug 4 United Way of Greater Houston–In conjunction with the CEC!
    • This Land is your Land: Exploring the terrain of land conservation   Red Bud Center October 17
    • And the grand finale picnic with food, games music and more!  The whole family is welcome!
13. Free Fourth Grade Field Trips!
    Every Kid in a Park in the Houston area is offering FREE transportation for nature-based learning opportunities. Learn more at www.hereinhouston.org.
14. 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, Texas City, Galveston, 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.
    • Conservation Art: Meet an artist whose prints raise cash for conservation.
    • Seeing Selah: Learn about the legendary vision of David Bamberger.
    • Hermit Crabs: Watch a crowd of Hermit Crabs on Lavaca Bay.
15. Additional Upcoming Events
    • 4/30/17: CEC’s Stump the Treehugger Environmental Trivia Contest at St. Arnold
    • 5/6/17: Nature Discovery Center to Reveal Park Renovations
    • 5/7/16: Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston Kick-off Event
    • 5/7/17 (order deadline): Rain Barrels and Compost Bins at Truckload Prices
    • 5/8/17: Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award Luncheon
    • 5/10/17 (deadline): Water Wise Bay Cities Challenge
    • 5/17/17: Keeping Our Communities Healthy Conference
    • 6/6/17: AIA Sandcastle Competition

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