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Houston Environmental News Update March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019

Houston Environmental News Update March 6, 2019

Spring Break rundown, Earth Day Houston, A Fierce Green Fire, and more

Ah, Spring Break is just around the corner! For kids attending school, next week will be welcome respite from the daily ground. For their parents or guardians, the respite might involve working a bit harder to find ways to keep them occupied.

Thankfully, there are a wealth of opportunities in our region to get outdoors and learn about nature. Here are just a few organizations that have activities just for spring break:

If you’d really like to help the environment in your travels during the week, consider planning your trip on METRO or the region’s other public transportation options, including Harris County Transit.

CEC NOTES

Earth Day returns to Discovery Green in 2019! Exhibitor Deadline March 18

Presented by Green Mountain Energy in partnership with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green’s citywide Earth Day celebration is designed to educate, inspire and encourage action. The event features displays, exhibits and booths on topics ranging from alternative energy to recycling methods, a foodie farmers market, unplugged – a live music acoustic mini-festival, EarthTalks and more, all in a zero-waste footprint. This year’s event will be held on April 14 from 12 to 5 p.m.

How can you be involved?

  • Exhibit! Register by March 14 to be an exhibitor at earthdayhouston.org/exhibit/. Opportunities are available for nonprofits and government agencies; small, local businesses; and corporations with a commitment to the environment. Early registration discounts through February 14, 2019.
  • Sponsor! Our sponsors range value the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and our community.Benefits include unique access to the green family market, exposure of you organization to over 10,000 festival attendees, and community stewardship and volunteer opportunities.
  • Volunteer! Opportunities are available for both individuals and groups. Sign up at earthdayhouston.org/volunteer.
  • Plan to Attend! Save the date on Sunday, April 14, 2019.
Image result for a fierce green fire

Houston Green Film Series: A Fierce Green Fire

Please join CEC, the Houston Green Film Series, the Rice Media Center, and additional partners on March 20, 2019, for A Fierce Green Fire: The Battle for a Living Planet,
the first big-picture exploration of the environmental movement – grassroots and global activism spanning fifty years from conservation to climate change. Inspired by the book of the same name, the film chronicles the largest movement of the 20th century and one of the keys to the 21st. It focuses on activism, people fighting to save their homes, their lives, the future – and succeeding against all odds. (See the trailer.)
6:30 p.m. conversation, networking, and a light meal, followed by the screening at 7 p.m.. 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.

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

Early Bird registration for Gulf Coast Green 2019 open through April 19

Early bird registration for the Gulf Coast Green 2019 Conference and GREEN Expo is now open through April 19, 2019. This year’s conference, “CROSSROADS: Inclusive Exchange”, will take place at the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University on May 17th, 2019. National experts will present the latest research on sustainable design and construction, and the Green Product Expo will showcase the top cutting-edge products and exhibitions of 2019. For more information and to register, visit aiahouston.org.

Global Warming: An Engineering Perspective 

On March 7, 2019, from 5:30 -9 p.m., the South Texas Local chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers will hold its monthly dinner meeting at The Bougainvilleas, 12126 Westheimer Rd. The featured speaker will be Mark Holtzappl, professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University, who will discuss how chemical engineers can address the problems associated with climate change. A live webcast of the meeting will be shown via the chapter’s YouTube channel. For more information, visit aiche.org.

Bay Area Storm Surge Food Forum

On March 7, 2019, from 7-8 p.m., a Bay Area Storm Surge Flood Forum will be held at the Bay Area Community Center in Clear Lake Park, 5002 NASA Parkway. The forum will discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers $32 billion coastal dike and gate plans, schedules, issues and alternatives. Speakers will include include a Corps of Engineers representative, Jim Blackburn of Rice University’s SSPEED Center, Galveston Bay Foundation executive director Bob Stokes and other organizations making presentations and answering questions. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act information session

On March 8, 2019, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., Texas Alliance for America’s Fish & Wildlife and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host an information session on the proposed
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act at the United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive. The session will cover the need for, and benefits of this bipartisan legislation, specific benefits to the Greater Houston area, 2018 Texas successes, and ways the public can get involved. Space is limited, so please RSVP by sending an email to info@txwildlifealliance.org.

47th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta

On March 9, 2019, from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., the 47th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta will be held. starting at 7700 San Felipe (west of Voss Road) and ending up at downtown’s Allen’s Landing. The awards ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. For more information, visit buffalobayou.org.

High Island Volunteering with Houston Audubon

On March 9, 2019, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Houston Audubon will host a volunteer coastal restoration workday at High Island in Chambers County. A lunch will be provided. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Delores Fenwick Nature Center Grand Opening

On March 9, 2019, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the City of Pearland Parks & Recreation Department and Keep Pearland Beautiful will hold the Grand Opening of the Delores Fenwick Nature Center, a hands-on setting for environmental education and training programs. The event will feature the Jamison Middle School Nature Art Show, “Birds of Prey” presented by Wild Bird Unlimited, and more. For more information, visit the Facebook event. There will also be a paid “Sneak Peek” on Friday, March 9, 7-9 p.m. For more information, visit constantcontact.com.

Reinventing Cities Open House

On March 9, 2019, from 3-4 p.m., the City of Houston’s Sustainability Office will host an open house to inform the public about the two sites – Sunnyside’s Holmes Road Landfill and East Buffalo Bayou’s Velasco Street Incinerator Site – chosen for C40’s Reinventing Cities competition. The event will be held in the Legacy Room of Houston City Hall, 901 Bagby Street. For more information and to RSVP, visit greenhoustontx.gov.

Houston Audubon Birdathon 2019 registration continues

Houston Audubon’s Birdathon 2019, which combines a fundraiser with a great opportunity to enjoy the spring migration, will be held March 22 through May 13, with a free Kickoff Workshop on March 10. Teams of two or more (typically 4-5) compete to count as many bird species as possible in a consecutive 24-hour period. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable

On March 11, 2019, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable at its offices, 3555 Timmons Lane.  Dominic Cashiola will provide information on automation to conserve water and save time and money. Mike McMahan with Harris County Precinct Three will share information about PNA Award-winning John Paul Landing Park. For more information and to register, visit hgac.com.

Coastal Basin Bacteria Reduction Meeting

On March 12, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m, the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality invite area stakeholders to a meeting to discuss creating a plan to reduce high concentrations of bacteria found in Oyster Creek. The meeting will be held at the Brazoria County Library-Lake Jackson, 250 Circle Way, Lake Jackson. For more information, visit h-gac.com or contact Steven Johnston at 832-681-2579.

Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District board meeting

On March 12, 2019, beginning at 6 p.m., the The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District  Board of Directors will hold a hearing open to the public in the James B. “Jim” Wesley Board Room of the District’s offices, 655 Conroe Park North Drive, Conroe. A summary presentation of the draft Groundwater Management Plan will be offered, and public comment will be taken. For more information, visit lonestargcd.org.

Native Plants Gardening Toolkit for Non-Gardeners workshops

The Galveston Bay Foundation is hosting a series of workshops to gather input on an acceptable list of plants based on different ecological regions in the greater Houston area with the goal of developing a “Native Plants Gardening Toolkit for Non-Gardeners.” The toolkit will provide information about natural landscaping using the most ecologically significant, environmentally friendly, and widely available native-plants (and/or plants adapted to the climate) in the region. The first workshop will be held March 14, 2019 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the offices of the Houston-Galveston Area Council. There is no cost to attend, parking is available, and snacks and coffee will be provided. Please RSVP to tdriscoll@galvbay.org by March 7.

Plastic Pollution talk with Houston Audubon

On March 14, 2019, Houston Audubon will host a talk by conservation specialist Anna Vallery titled “Midway Atoll: The Effect of Plastic Pollution on Birds.” Vallery spent six months on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in 2015 as a biological science intern. The event will be at the United Way Community Resource Center, 500 Waugh Drive. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Nature Heritage Society Hill Hike

On March 16, 2019, beginning at 8:45 a.m., the Nature Heritage Society will host a nature hike and celebration of National Ag Week at the Sims Bayou Greenway, beginning at the Bessie Swindle Community Center, 11800 Scott Street. After the hike, there will be a discussion of horticulture and animal science from Janice Brown of Girl on the Grow and Nathan Hawthorne of Seeds of the Soil. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Called to Conversation: Laudato Si & Catholic Ecological Awakening

On March 16, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word will host a series of talks on the responsibility of individual Christians and the role of the local Church to “Care for our Common Home.” The event will be held at the Villa De Matel Convent, 6510 Lawndale St. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Bolivar Beach Cleanup with Houston Audubon

On March 16, 2018, from 9 am.-noon, Houston Audubon will host a volunteer cleanup of Bolivar Beach. This is a great opportunity to witness the wildlife of Bolivar, the activity on the ship channel, and experience hands-on conservation by keeping our beaches clean. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

“Invaders of Texas” citizen scientists workshop

On March 16, 2019, from 9:30 a.m..-4:30 p.m.,Texas Invaders is offering a free workshop covering the Invaders of Texas citizen scientist program, focusing on training citizen scientists to identify and report invasive plants.The workshop will present general information on invasive species, managing the spread of invasives, invasive pests of regulatory concern and the Sentinel Pest Network, and best management practices for control and eradication of selected species. The workshop will be held at Camp Kubena  in Round Top/Ledbetter, Texas. For more information and to register, visit texasinvasives.org.

Unplugged Adventures: Native Snakes

On March 16, 2019, from 10-11 a.m., the Katy Prairie Conservancy will host Texas Venom Experience at the Indiangrass Preserve, 31975 Hebert Road, Waller, for a live native snake presentation. During this live snake presentation, attendees will learn about the snakes that live on the Katy Prairie and in their own backyards, including how to identify native snakes. For more information and to register, visit katyprairie.org. 

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.

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Additional Upcoming Events