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Houston Environmental News Update October 10, 2018

Houston Environmental News Update October 10, 2018

The theme of Earth Science Week 2018, being celebrated October 14-20, is “Earth as Inspiration,” emphasizing artistic expression as a unique, powerful opportunity for geoscience education and understanding in the 21st century.
Earth Science Week 2018 learning resources and activities will engage young people and others in exploring the relationship between the arts and the Earth systems. This year’s theme will promote public understanding and stewardship of the planet, especially in terms of the ways art relates to geoscience principles and issues as diverse as energy, climate change, the environment, natural disasters, technology, industry, agriculture, recreation, and the economy. Among the Houston events:
  • Earth Science Celebration at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Saturday, October 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Energy Day Festival at downtown’s Sam Houston Park, October 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (see details below)
  • Earth Science Field Trip at HMNS’s Weiss Energy Hall, October 21, noon-3 p.m.
Speaking of environmentally themed art, Mid Main Projects, 3550 Main Street, is exhibiting “Like There is No Tomorrow,” by Lina Dib with Taylor Knapps, through October 31, 2018. This large-scale interactive video installation examines species decline in the Anthropocene. The project includes footage of the Gulf of Mexico’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, one of CEC’s member organizations. In conjunction with the exhibition, on October 15, from 6-8 p.m., Rice University marine biologist Dr. Adrienne Correa will present a free public workshop on coral reef ecosystems in the Gulf  For more information, see the Facebook event.

And on October 13, from 10 am.-5 p.m., the Galveston Children’s Museum is presenting the inaugural Da Vinci Day, a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness featuring local builders, artists, educators, students, crafters, tinkerers and hobbyists seeking to share their creations and ideas. Attendees will explore hands-on activities and use their imagination to create something unique. Galveston Surfrider is partnering with the Turtle Island Restoration Network to show participants how to turn T-shirts into reusable bags. For more information, visit galvestoncm.org.
Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community. We have tried to confirm the events listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

CEC NOTES

Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival
Please join CEC, the Houston Green Film Series, Rice Media Center, and additional partners on Oct. 17, 2018, for “Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival,” to showcase local short films telling environmental stories.

6:30 p.m. conversation, networking, and a light meal, followed by the screening at 7:00 pm. Free to the public, though donations are kindly appreciated. For more information, see the Facebook event.
Sign up for information about this event and other green film news at constantcontact.com.
And be sure to mark your calendar for January 30 & 31, 2019, when we’ll be hosting the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour.

 

Repair Café Houston
Please consider joining CEC and our partners Transition Houston, the City of Houston Green Building Resource Center, the Houston Peace & Justice Center, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Houston Complete Communities, and TX/RX Labs for the fall Repair Café Houston on October 27, 2018! A Repair Café celebrates fixing through a fun, collaborative, hands-on community event. People bring their broken items for assessment, disassembly and repair. Bring your toolkit and join us to have fun and learn while helping others troubleshoot and fix their broken stuff! Volunteers assess, take apart, and hopefully – REPAIR. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.


Save the Date: EEE on Nov. 7
The next quarterly meeting of the Environmental Educators Exchange will be on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at 4:30 PM at Houston Arboretum. More details coming soon. Sign up for EEE-mails at constantcontact.com.

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. HIGHLIGHTING HARVEY
    With so many local organizations holding events and discussions relating to the effects and lessons learned from Hurricane Harvey, we are consolidating them into this special section. Please click on the links for detailed information.

  2. “Like There is No Tomorrow ” art installation through Oct. 31
    Main Street Projects is presenting an immersive new art exhibition, “Like There Is No Tomorrow” — an interactive installation and complimentary exhibition byLina Dibin collaboration with Taylor Knapps. The installation is a large-scale interactive video installation that examines species decline in the Anthropocene. Footage of the Gulf of Mexico’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is brought to the surface on Houston’s Main Street.
  3. 2018 Prairies & Pollinators: A Regional Celebration
    Through early November, the Coastal Prairie Partnership is sponsoring “2018 Prairies & Pollinators: A Regional Celebration,” a set of events allowing attendees to learn about and help plant pollinating plants in prairies across the region. For a full listing of planned events, visit prairiepartner.org. Some upcoming events include:

    • 10/13/18: Second Saturday Bird Walk at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
    • 10/16/18: Seed Collecting Trip to Nash Prairie Preserve with Katy Prairie Conservancy
    • 10/19/18: Prairie Restoration Roundup at Texas City Prairie Preserve
    • 10/20/18: Prairie Pandemonium at Armand Bayou Nature Center
    • 10/20/18: Clinton Park Prairie Planting
  4. Texas Energy Summit
    On Oct. 11, 2018, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of the U.S. Green Building Conference will host the Texas Energy Summit at the Norris Conference Center at City Centre. The summit is focused on energy reduction and smarter technology solutions for buildings. For more information and to register, visit usgbctexas.org.
  5. “Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢” panel discussion at TSU
    On Oct. 11, 2018, from 6:30-8 p.m.,Texas Southern University’s Department of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy will host a panel discussion on how the intersectional program “Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢” can be offered
    for replication through innovative planning and public policy to Houston and other municipalities. The event will be held at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. For more information, visit constantcontact.com.
  6. Houston Zoo Wildlife Conservation Gala
    On Oct. 11, 2018, from 6-11 p.m., Houston Zoo will hold the 11th Annual Wildlife Conservation Gala, shining a spotlight on the species and habitats of the Lone Star State. Guest speaker Carter Smith, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, will share stories from his years as a leader in Texas conservation, followed by a special performance by country artist Dan Green. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit houstonzoo.org.
  7. White Oak Parkway Habitat Restoration
    On Oct. 13, 2018, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks & Recreation Department’s Natural Resources Management Program will hold a volunteer event to help restore urban prairie habitat at White Oak Parkway. Meet at 700 White Oak Drive. Shovels will be provided. Be sure to bring plenty of water, along with shoes and clothes that can get muddy. To RSVP, please call 832-395-7090 or email Naturalresources@houstontx.gov.
  8. Greens Bayou Regatta
    On Oct. 13, 2018, beginning at 9 a.m., the Greens Bayou Coalition will host the 3rd Annual Greens Bayou Regatta, a 7.5-mile kayak race, supporting the development of the proposed 27.5-mile Greens Bayou Paddle Trail. Volunteers for the event are still being sought. For more information, visit greensbayouregatta.com.
  9. 2018 KBR Kids Day
    On Oct. 13, 2018, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host the 2018 KBR Kids Day at Guadalupe Park Plaza, 2311 Runnels Street. Activity stations will include numerous hands-on activities from over 20 Houston partners, local entertainment and performers, Dia de los Muertos face painters, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall, a birds of prey show and a Halloween Costume Parade. For more information, visit buffalobayou.org.
  10. Houston Audubon Birding Class: Nature at Night
    On Oct. 13, 2018, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Glenn Olson will teach Nature at Night at the Houston Audubon’s Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Adults and accompanied youth (age 10+) can discover the joys of urban wildlife — mammals, rodents, birds, frogs, and crawling creatures. Bring your flashlight to help search for the animals and insects whose eyes sparkle like diamonds in the night. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.
  11. Gulf Spill Restoration Texas Trustee Implementation Group meeting
    On Oct. 15, 2018, from 6:30-9 p.m., the Deepwater Horizon NRDA Texas Trustee Implementation Group will hold the 2018 annual public meeting at Texas A&M University, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston. The meeting will provide an update work accomplished since the historic settlement with BP and highlight ongoing restoration projects and plans for future efforts. There will be a pre-meeting Open House beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, visit gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.
  12. Recycle Bowl begins Oct. 15
    Keep America Beautiful presents Recycle Bowl, a national K-12 competition between schools to invigorate student participation in recycling efforts. The competition runs from October 15 to November 15. The Recycle-Bowl competition has three division categories (School, Community, and District Divisions) allowing schools to compete where they fit best. The Recycle-Bowl also features a non-competitive, “Open Division” that is less formal and accommodates schools that register late. For more information, visit kab.org.
  13. Our Great Region Awards applications open Oct. 15
    The Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Our Great Region Awards recognize outstanding projects in the region that advance the goals and strategies identified in the Our Great Region 2040 plan. The application periods opens Oct, 15 and closes Nov. 16, 2018. Any plans, programs, projects or policies that have implemented a strategy of the Our Great Region 2040 plan within the 13-county region in the past four years are eligible. For more information, visit ograwards.org.
  14. “USGS Annual Groundwater Table Data: How Are We Doing?”
    On Oct. 18, 2018, beginning at 7 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will present  a Going Green Sustainability Lecture titled “USGS Annual Groundwater Table Data: How Are We Doing?” by Christopher Braun of the U.S. Geological Survey. The event will be held at the at the offices of the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC),  8801 Gosling Road, The Woodlands. Registration is not requird. For more information, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org.
  15. Harris County Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee Meeting
    On Oct. 18, 2018, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Harris County Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee, which is working to update the Harris County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, will hold a meeting at the Houston TranStar building, 6922 Katy Road. The Steering Committee meetings are open to the public, and residents, community groups and stakeholders are invited to participate and make comments. For more information, visit readyharris.org.
  16. Bay Area Sierra Club presents Climate Change Awareness Round Trip
    On Oct. 17, 2018, from 6:30-9 p.m., the Bay Area Sierra Club will present the “Climate Change Awareness Road Trip,” featuring Sharir Masri, Ph.D., an air pollution scientist at University of California at Irving and author of “Beyond Debate: Answers to 50 Misconceptions on Climate Change.” The event will be held at the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park, 5002 NASA Parkway.
  17. Houston Audubon 2018 Gala: Birds, Bugs & Blooms
    On Oct. 18, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., Houston Audubon will hold its 2018 Gala, themed “Bird, Bugs & Blooms,” at The Briar Club, 2603 Timmons. The gala will benefit Houston Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Communities program, which aims to transform the greater Houston area into a thriving community that supports birds, butterflies and other pollinators while providing more accessible opportunities for people to experience the wonder and joy of birds. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit houstonaudubon.org.
  18. 15th Annual Plant Thyme Fall Luncheon
    On Oct. 19, 2018, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Keep Pearland Beautiful will host the 15th Annual Plant Thyme Fall Luncheon and plant sale, benefiting KPB environmental programs and the Stella Roberts Recycling Center, at Pearland First United Church. The keynote speaker is Randy Lemmon, host of KTRH-AM’s “GardenLine” program. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit keeppearlandbeautiful.org.
  19. Picnic for the Park
    On Oct. 19, 2018, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital will present “Picnic for the Park,” benefiting Cullinan Park Conservancy, at the River Pointe Church auditorium, 5000 Ransom Road, Richmond. Guinness Book Atlantic Ocean rowboat record-holder will share stories of his adventures, and Ann Hamilton will be honored with the Nina Cullinan Award. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit cullinanparkconservancy.org.
  20. Energy Day Festival
    On Oct. 20, 2018, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the 8th annual Energy Day Festival will be held at downtown’s Sam Houston Park. Energy Day is a free family festival showcasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Energy Day includes nearly 70 interactive demonstrations and exhibits that teach students and their families about various forms of energy through STEM fields, along with efficiency, conservation, and other STEM-related industries. For more information, visit energydayfestival.org.
  21. Pumpkin Patch Festival at Nature Discovery Center
    On Oct. 20-21, 2018, the Nature Discovery Center will hold its annual Pumpkin Patch Festival in Bellaire’s Russ Pitttman Park.  Proceeds from the festival  support the Center‘s science and nature based programs for schools, children, adults and families. Admission to the festival is free. Tickets sold from ticket tents located at both ends of the park are required for food, games and activities. Pumpkins will be sold for cash or tickets. For more information, visit naturediscoverycenter.org.
  22. “Canoe, Creek and Commissioner” at Spring Creek Greenway
    On Oct. 20, 2018, from 4 p.m.-sunset, the Bayou Land Conservancy and Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle will host the annual “Canoe, Creek and Commissioner” paddle event down the Spring Creek Greenway. Canoes and tandem kayaks are available to rent. Meeting point at Jesse Jones Nature Center. Pre-registration will close on Oct. 20 at noon. Walk-up registrations will be accepted if spots are available.For more information, visit bayoulandconservancy.secure.force.com.
  23. 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.

    • All in a day’s work for K-9 commissioned Texas game wardens
    • A photographer documents Texas parks with his “trailer camera”
    • Enjoying the sunset at Rita Blanca National Grasslands
  24. Additional Upcoming Events

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