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Houston Environmental News Update August 1, 2018
August 1, 2018

Houston Environmental News Update August 1, 2018

August 5-11 is National Farmers Market Week, celebrating what has been an exponentially growing trend over the past couple of decades, both nationally and in the greater Houston region. Besides providing a vital link between urban centers and outlying farms, farmers markets also boast many economic benefits, as outlined by  the nonprofit Farmers Market Coalition.

Moreover, farmers markets are good for the environment! Consuming locally sourced food helps reduce fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing our individual carbon footprints. According to the Drawdown project, “crop and livestock production is the source of about 1/8 of anthropogenic emissions. Land clearing (which is mostly for agriculture) is the source of another 1/8 of emissions…. Many of the supply-side agricultural solutions reduce emissions from farming and ranching, while also sequestering significant amounts of carbon. Demand-side solutions like a plant-based diet and reduced food waste reduce the need for land clearing.” Farmers markets, along with their local farmers and customers, can be part of the solution.

Here’s a list of  of farmers markets in the greater Houston region to choose from, including (but not limited to):

This list probably isn’t complete. It was a much shorter list when we compiled a list in 2005: it had only two markets! If we missed any, send a note to news@cechouston.org.

Since we’re talking about farmers markets, please join CEC in welcoming Urban Harvest’s new executive director. Janna Roberson brings over 20 years of experience in education and marketing to Urban Harvest, and most recently served as Assistant Head of School at The Regis School of the Sacred Heart.

Today’s banner image courtesy Urban Harvest. 

CEC NOTES

Please register for CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit on Friday, August 10, 2018. Ticket sales are greater than they were at this time last year, so we may sell out. Buy your tickets now!

Annually, CEC hosts a networking and learning event for the extraordinary people who work at or are interested in the work of environmental organizations in the greater Houston region.

This year’s program includes:

  • Welcome by Commissioner Rodney Ellis — Commissioner Ellis was born and raised in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood and attended the Texas public school system from grade school through law school. Although he is an attorney, his passion is public service. On Nov. 8, 2016, he was elected Harris County Commissioner for Precinct One, which serves approximately 1.1 million people. Previously, he represented a Houston district in the Texas Senate for more than 25 years, earning widespread praise as a leader on economic development, education, civil rights, budget issues, responsible environmental policy, tax cuts for the middle class, criminal justice, and workforce development.
  • Excellent Featured Speakers — See the full descriptions.
  • Table Talks: Small group discussions with experts on a variety of topics related to our post-Harvey theme, including impacts on our air and water quality, environmental justice initiatives, wildlife and landscape conservation, and efforts to build resiliency for our future.  A cross between a breakout session and speed networking. See full descriptions of table talk hosts.
  • Exhibit tables from CEC member groups and local businesses. (See the registration page to reserve your exhibit table.)
    • Coastal Environments, Inc. & Moore Archaeological Consulting
    • TRUEGRID
    • Texas Health & Environment Alliance
    • The Nature Conservancy
    • Laughing Frog Farm
    • TWRC
    • Lone Star Legal Aid
    • Galveston Bay Estuary Program
    • EDF
    • One Breath Partnership
    • Texas Association for Environmental Educators
    • Public Citizen
    • Citizens Climate Lobby
    • Air Alliance Houston
    • Not too late to reserve your spot!
  • Delicious, locally-grown food from Pat Greer’s Kitchen.
  • A few surprises 🙂

We are grateful to the following sponsors:

The Powis Firm PLLC is a full service law firm that provides general counsel services, including litigation, for non-profits and small businesses. It specializes in advocacy services in the conservation and environmental space and provides strategic direction for campaigns or programs for a variety of Gulf Coast non-profits. Jen Powis with The Powis Firm was recently named by Houstonia Magazine as a Top Lawyer for Non-profits.

Coastal Environments, Inc. & Moore Archaeological Consulting, which are dedicated to the concept of planning for future development, based upon the scientific understanding and aesthetic appreciation of our natural and cultural resources. Through combining the talents of a diverse team of specialists with extensive experience in applied research and planning, we are able to serve government, industry, and private-sector clients throughout the Gulf Coast.

TRUEGRID, which works to challenge conventional thinking and disrupt traditional paving methods; to ultimately create a better, cleaner, less toxic environment for our kids.

Further event details are provided on the Eventbrite Registration page.

Houston Green Film Series

At the next showing of the Houston Green Film Series, on Wednesday, August 15, 2018, we’ll be showing Rodents of Unusual Size, a highly acclaimed film about the impact of nutria on coastal wetlands along the Gulf. (The film title might sound familiar if you are a fan of The Princess Bride.) Panelists will include Shannon Tompkins, who covers outdoor recreation and natural resource issues for the Chronicle, and Linda Tschirhart-Hejl, the district supervisor for Texas A&M Agrilife Extension-Texas Wildlife Services and an expert on nuisance wildlife management. We’ll announce the other panelists next week. This film is NOT TO BE MISSED!

On September 19, we will be showing Dirt Rich, another excellent film, this time about the connection between regenerative agriculture and climate change.

In October, we’ll host “Wild About Houston, A Green Film Festival,” to showcase local short films telling environmental stories. Let us know if you have a film to submit!

Mark your calendar for January 30 & 31, when we’ll be hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour.

CEC Seeks Board & Committee Members

The CEC is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on our 2019 Board of Directors and on board committees (programs, publications, membership, governance, finance, and development). Our Governance Committee will be hosting informational open houses for potential board members September 24 and October 22, 2018. If you are interested, please send an email with your résumé to rachel@cechouston.org.

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

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have tried to confirm the events listed below, but not all organizations have updated their websites. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

  1. H-GAC Basin Highlights Report details regional water quality
    This week, the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Clean Rivers Program, in partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, released the 2018 Basin Highlights Report outlining the state of water quality in the region. According to How’s the Water?, more than 80 percent of stream miles within the Houston-Galveston region currently fail to meet one or more state water quality standards or screening criteria. The report includes detailed data analysis, trends, and recommendations for improving and protecting water quality in the Clean Rivers Program region, and an overview of Clean Rivers Program projects and activities. You can see the report packaged as an interactive story map or see the 2018 Regional Water Quality Summer Chart.
  2. H-GAC celebrates Commute Solutions Month in August
    Commute Solutions’ partners in the eight-county Houston-Galveston Transportation Management Area are celebrating Commute Solutions Month in August. The Houston-Galveston Area Council, along with some of the region’s transit service providers, will host several public outreach events at park and ride facilities to show appreciation to commuters for their current participation in carpooling, vanpooling, riding the bus, or rail. These events will educate commuters, employees, and residents about alternative modes of transportation instead of driving alone, and will call them to awareness and action during August. For more information, visit findasmarterwaytowork.org.
  3. ReThink Houston Sustainability Happy Hour
    On August 2, 2018, from 6-8 p.m., RePurpose Depot and Magpies & Peacocks will co-host a ReThink Houston Sustainability Happy Hour where attendees can meet the leaders behind Houston’s environmental repurposing movement and discuss collaboration as a network of like-minded businesses. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
  4. Arboretum at Night: City Critters
    On August 4, 2018, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will present a family-oriented program called “City Critters,” which takes a look at the many species of wild animals that inhabit our parks, backyards, and even our downtown streets. Attendees will meet some amazing urban animals from the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and learn about how they survive in our city. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit houstonarboretum.org.
  5. VOX Culture Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship Dinner
    On August 5, 2018, from 7-9:30 p.m., Rotary e-Club of Houston and VOX Culture will co-host a Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship Dinner. This collaborative fundraiser will help finance a joint state-of-the’art garden project being developed at Margaret Long Wisdom High  School this summer, with hopes for completion in September 2018. The event will be held at Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.
  6. Transition Houston Meeting
    On August 7, 2018 from 6:30-9 p.m, Transition Houston, a grassroots community organization dedicated to taking local action on such issues as climate change, will host a meeting at the Haven’s Center, 1827 W Alabama Street. The meeting will explore local issues and how to make informed decisions in November and beyond. For more information, visit transitionhouston.org.
  7. Early voting in Harris County Flood Control District Bond Program election begins Aug. 8
    Harris County is holding a bond election for the Harris County Flood Control District. Registered voters will be asked to vote on August 25, 2018 (or early starting August 8) on up to $2.5 billion in bonds for flood risk reduction projects throughout the county. Find detailed information about proposed projects for each of the county’s watersheds, including an interactive map, at hcfcd.org.
  8. Summer Salon: Development in a Post-Harvey World
    On August 8, 2018, from 7:30-9 a.m., the Center for Houston’s Future will host the second of its 2018 Summer Salon series “Following Houston’s Future.” This edition, titled “Follow the Construction: Development in a Post-Harvey World,” will feature a panel of expert speakers. The event will be at The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane. For more information and to register, visit centerforhoustonsfuturedev.org.
  9. Eco-Rise hosts free Teacher Training Event
    EcoRise, an Austin-based nonprofit that provides sustainability curriculum, teachers support, and access to student innovation micro-grants to K-12 teachers, has been given a grant from Green Mountain Energy to support Houston-area teachers with TEKS-aligned sustainability curriculum and access to student-driven Eco-Audit Grants. Interested teachers can enroll for free here. On August 8, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., EcoRise will host a free teacher training event at the Harris County Department of Education Science Center, 805 Reid Street, Houston. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
  10. Family Nature Night: Snakes of Texas
    On August 8, 2018, the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire will present a Family Nature Night on “Snakes of Texas,” with Gina Distledorf of the East Texas Herpetological Society. Participants will learn about the venomous and non-venomous snakes where people work, live, and hike. There will be a chance to encounter and touch live snakes. For more information visit naturediscoverycenter.org.
  11. Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership Public Meeting
    On August 9, 2018, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership will hold a public Meeting at the Eddie V Gray Wetlands Center, 1724 Market Street, Baytown. The meeting will cover water quality in Cedar Bayou, flood reduction efforts in the area, funding for septic system/OSSF repair and replacement, and actions being taken to improve conditions in the community. For more information, visit cechouston.org.
  12. HREG “Own Your Power” workshop
    On August 11, 2018, from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., the Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG) will hold a  “Own Your Power” workshop at the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Avenue. The workshop will explore efficient living, reducing carbon footprints, batteries for resiliency, and electric vehicles. The event will be kid-friendly. Snacks will be provided. For more information, visit houstonrenewableenergy.org.
  13. Galveston Rain Barrel Workshop
    On August 11, 2018 from 9:30-11 a.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation will host a Rain Barrel Workshop at the Bryan Museum Observatory, 1315 21st Street, Galveston. The workshop will include a presentation on the environmental benefits of collecting rainwater, and instructions and tips. Participants will not set up the rain barrel at the workshop but instead will receive the tools to go home and do so. For more information and to register, visit galvybay.org.
  14. Houston Cities H2O Challenge continues through September 28
    The Houston Cities H20 Challenge, sponsored by the Galveston Bay Foundation, in partnership with the Texas Living Waters Project, The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency and the City of Pearland, continues through September 28. The Challenge is a friendly competition designed to engage area residents and businesses in water conservation. For more information, visit gbwb.org.
  15. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 p.m. 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.

    • Hunting to honor the memory of Navy SEAL aspirant Jacob Krebs
    • Protecting corridors for mammals and birds on the Texas-Mexico border
    • The threatened Red-Crowned Parrot finds a home in South Texas

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