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Houston Environmental News Update December 12, 2018

Houston Environmental News Update December 12, 2018

As we approach the end of 2018, we’d again like to ask you, our readers, for some feedback. What do you believe have been the most significant environmental accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events over the past year in the greater Houston region?
Some that come to mind: Mayor Turner’s announcement of a Climate Action Plan;  the decline (and potentially promising fall migration) of the population of monarch butterflies; the rise in the population of the lesser prairie-chicken; the Galveston Bay Record Card overall score of C; and President Trump’s proposed border wall which would run through the National Butterfly Center along the Rio Grande.
Of course, these are just a few. Please share the ones most important to you at our “2018 Houston Environment in Review” survey. We’ll report back to you soon.
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.

CEC NOTES

Tickets now available! Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour
January 30 & 31, 2019

Join us on January 30 & 31, 2019, for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour.

Hosted for the fifth year by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, this ever-popular event, one of the largest environmental film festivals in North America, will be screened once again at the historic River Oaks Theatre, where up to 450 patrons each night will enjoy about ten short films each night highlighting the latest environmental issues. The films showcase the links between beauty, environment, adventure, quality of life, and action. Find more details and purchase tickets by visiting cechouston.org.

Sign up for information about this event and other green film news at constantcontact.com.


Supporting CEC

Did you know your purchases can make a  difference?  AmazonSmile donates to Citizens’ Environmental Coalition when you do your holiday shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/74-1692204.


COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the events listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

  1. Public Meetings on Coastal Barrier Project

    On Oct. 26, 2018, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Coastal Barrier Project (popularly known as the “Ike Dike”) as its preferred choice for protecting the Texas coastline from future storm surges (see coverage in the Houston Chronicle and the Texas Tribune). The Corps is hosting a series of public meetings in which community members are invited to review the plan and make comments. There are three remaining in the Houston-Galveston region:
    Public comments can also be mailed to USACE, Galveston District, Attn: Ms. Jennifer Morgan, Environmental Compliance Branch, Regional Planning and Environmental Center, P.O. Box 1229, Galveston, TX 77553-1229; or emailed to CoastalTexas@usace.army.mil. Comments must be postmarked by January 9, 2019. For more details on the meetings, visit coastalstudy.texas.gov.
  2. Audubon Christmas Bird Count
    The Audubon Christmas Bird Count continues through Jan. 5, 2019. Organized each year by the National Audubon Society, this global, all-volunteer effort collects data on local bird populations. Individual counts are open to birders of all levels, and there is no fee to participate. Several events are scheduled across the region. For details and dates for each count, visit houstonaudubon.org.

  3. Air Alliance Houston backs legislation, holds open house
    In the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature, Air Alliance Houston is backing SB 180, filed by State Sen. Boris Miles, which aims to protect neighborhoods disproportionately affected by environmental quality issues. Read more about the bill at airalliancehouston.org. On Dec. 12, 2018, Air Alliance Houston will hold its year-end open house to celebrate its collective accomplishments and discuss upcoming campaigns at its offices at 3914 Leeland St. For more information, visit airalliancehouston.org.
  4. “Unsilent Night” at Buffalo Bayou Park
    On Dec. 12, 2018, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and University of Houston-Downtown will host “Unsilent Night,” a procession and sound sculpture created when many individuals simultaneously play one of four music tracks by composer Phil Kline. Prior to the procession, enjoy hot chocolate and Bayou Blend coffee from Katz Coffee, local brew from Saint Arnold Brewing Company and holiday cookies. An after-party will be held on the rooftop of the Sunset Coffee Building. For more information and to RSVP, visit eventbrite.com.
  5. AIA Houston Holiday Party Honoring Barry Moore
    On Dec. 12, 2018, AIA Houston will present Barry Moore, FAIA, with the Award for Career Distinction.at its Holiday Party at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. For more information, visit aiahouston.org.
  6. Texas Association of Environmental Professionals Holiday Social
    On Dec. 13, 2018, the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals and its partnering organizations will hold a Holiday Social at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Ave. The event will include alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and a barbecue dinner. For more information and to RSVP, visit taep.org.
  7. Bird Banding at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
    On Dec. 15, 2018, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson will hold its monthly bird banding event. The purpose of the project is to establish baseline data for the GCBO property on both resident and migratory bird populations. For more information, visit gcbo.org.
  8. Nature Heritage Society Hill Hike
    On Dec. 15, 2018, beginning at 8?:45 a.m., the Nature Heritage Society will host a “Holidays on the Hill” hike at Sims Greenway, 11800 Scott Street. Join forces with NHS and Scott’s Community Care to gift boys and girls in the community. For more information, see the Facebook event.
  9. Sheldon Lake Park Volunteer Orientation
    On Dec. 15, 2018, from 9-11 a.m., Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center will hold an orientation for prospective volunteers interested in habitat restoration and teaching people about the outdoors. For more information and to register, visit tpwd.texas.gov.
  10. Call for Abstracts for CNREP 2019 deadline on Dec. 15
    The Center for Natural Resource Economics & Policy will hold the 6th National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal Systems from May 19-21, 2019 in New Orleans. This triennial forum focuses on the opportunities and challenges of socioeconomic research in the development and evaluation of coastal resource restoration and management. The deadline for abstracts for oral and poster presentations and dedicated sessions and panels is December 15. For more information, visit cnrep.lsu.edu.
  11. 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.

    • Keeping the Texas Kangaroo Rat on the map
    • Houston Chronicle outdoors writer Shannon Tompkins *
    • Preventing White Nose Syndrome in Texas bats.
  12. Additional Upcoming Events

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