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May 3, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update May 3, 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.

THANK YOU to the competitors and volunteers who helped make the inaugural Stump the Treehugger environmental trivia contest a tremendous success! In addition to excellent company, delicious vegan food from Ripe Cuisine food truck, tasty beer (and rootbeer) from St. Arnold, great door prizes and exhibitors, contestants (including the bartenders who joined the contest) told us they loved the competition and were surprised to learn from the questions. Congratulations to the EarthShare of Texas team, the contest winner!

We asked participants what their biggest environmental concern is, and here’s what they told us:

Our next big event is the Greater Houston Environmental Summit & Environmental Education Expo.  In addition to excellent keynote presentations, we will again offer small-format table talks. We’re taking suggestions & proposals for the table talks, so if you have an issue you’d like to learn about or share with the environmental community, drop us a line at rachel@cechouston.org.

In the meantime, be on the lookout for more information about the next Houston Green Film Series screening on May 17, and Environment Matters networking happy hour the following week.

CEC NOTES

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. First Thursday benefiting BikeHouston
    EAT SHOP ROCK and RIDE in Mid Main on First Thursday. Mid Main Houston will kick off Bike Month on May 4, 2017, benefiting BikeHouston with Texas GOLD Sprint’em bike races, live music and their very first Urban Harvest night market. All $5 donations in the Art Garden will support this awesome org in their efforts to make Houston a safer place for cyclists. Learn more on facebook.
  2. Sierra Club Annual Yard Sale
    Need to weed out a few things? Participate in the Houston Sierra annual yard sale, where you can ‘recycle’ no longer needed items.  Saturday, May 6, to be held at “CORAZON Fair Trade”, 2318 Waugh (at the corner with Fairview in Montrose).  You may drop off items (clothing, knickknacks, furniture, books, but not e-waste) at CORAZON (713-526-6591) during the week immediately prior to the sale (but not before). This event is one of the Houston Group’s annual fundraising efforts. All proceeds go to support the Houston Group and its local conservation and educational programs. For more info or to volunteer, visit sierraclub.org.
  3. Armand Bayou Sunset Photo Walk
    Armand Bayou Nature Center offers unique opportunities for the photographer to capture that great photograph. Our guided walks provide you an overview of this natural habitat, sure to trigger your imagination. Ages 12+. $10 per person. Reservations required & spaces limited. Call 281-474-2551, or visit abnc.org.
  4. Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award Luncheon
    Each year, the Bayou Preservation Association recognizes those who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to aiding in the conservation, preservation, restoration or advocacy of Houston’s waterways with the Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award. Please join the Association on May 8, 2017, to witness the Bayou Preservation Association present the 2017 Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Awards to:

    • Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle
    • Deborah January-Bevers, President & CEO, Houston Wilderness
    • Dick Benoit, an avid volunteer for conservation organizations and a Texas Master Naturalist

    This year’s luncheon will also honor BPA’s founder, Terry Hershey, who worked more than 50 years ago to halt an Army Corps of Engineers plan to channelize Buffalo Bayou. Her passion and leadership has contributed to the health of local waterways ever since. She has inspired generations of individuals involved with the Bayou Preservation Association to continue her work to celebrate, protect, and restore the natural richness of all our bayous and streams. Event tickets and tables can be purchased at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/2017luncheon.

  5. Memorial Park Golf Tournament
    This annual Florida scramble is a much-anticipated event each year, and participants mark their calendars early so as not to miss out! Sponsors are the celebrated guests at the event, and the afternoon ends with a reception featuring icy cold beverages and hot-off-the-grill Becks Prime burgers. Sign up your foursome today, or call 713-863-8403 for more information.
  6. OKRA Charity Saloon features green groups for Earth Month
    April’s winner is the Galveston Bay Foundation. In May, visit OKRA Charity Saloon, and the proceeds will go to Galveston Bay Foundation.
  7. 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.
  8. Sheldon Lake Birding Classic: Big Sit
    Join Park Rangers for our annual Big Sit! as we see how many bird species we can spot in a 34-ft circle in a 24-hours. Sign-up for a shift or hang out all day. Please contact Ranger Hannah (Hannah.Buschert@tpwd.texas.gov or (281) 456-2800) to join the team. More information available on Facebook.
  9. 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.
  10. RDA Hard Hat Tour: Midtown Superblock Park
    Get a first look at the Midtown Superblock Park with design team members from Walter P Moore and Design Workshop who will lead this special curated tour on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets required. For more information, visit ricedesignalliance.org.
  11. 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 Saturdays, May 13 and 27, 2017, 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. ​Learn more at watershedtexas.org.
  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. 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.

    • Biking Tyler: Bike between the tall trees at Tyler State Park.
    • Desert Skies: View the vast skies of the Trans-Pecos in black & white.
    • Charlie’s Cannon: Meet a man with a cannon, and a purpose.
  14. Additional Upcoming Events

http://cechouston.org/category/green-jobs/Â