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Houston Environmental News Update April 3, 2019

Houston Environmental News Update April 3, 2019

Earth Month, Climate Action Plan Community Meetings, Earth Day Houston, lots of jobs, and more

Happy Earth Month!

With the approach of Earth Day, have you considered giving back? Well here’s a great opportunity to do just that: give back!

We hope you’ll consider donating to the CEC and help us continue our efforts to support the Houston environmental community in 2019. Your donation will enable us to:

Help make it Earth Day every day by supporting the CEC and become a member by simply clicking cechouston.org. Please consider setting up recurring donations and become a Sustaining Member.


CEC NOTES

Earth Day returns to Discovery Green in 2019 on April 14, 2019.

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 Sunday, April 14, from 12 to 5 p.m.

Volunteer! Opportunities are available for individuals, families, and groups. Sign up at earthdayhouston.org/volunteer.

The Earth Day celebration at Discovery Green isn’t the only game in town. If you know of an observance in the greater Houston region, please let us know at news@cechouston.org.


Summer Internships with CEC

CEC anticipates hiring several volunteer and paid summer interns in 2019.

Typical internships involve Communications and Marketing, Policy & Government Relations, Publications/Journalism, Digital Media, Development, Event Coordination, Business Development and Bookkeeping, and Environmental Education; we are also open to customized internships to meet professional and academic goals. Internships include mentorship and networking opportunities, field trips, camaraderie, and chocolate. To be considered for summer internship opportunities, please submit a cover letter and resume to internships@cechouston.org.

With much gratitude for the generosity of the City of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth program, CEC has the opportunity to offer a limited number of paid internships, for which youth ages 16-24 may apply through hirehoustonyouth.org by APRIL 6, 2019. (New date!)


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.

Petrochemical fires continue

For the second time in a period of a few weeks, the greater Houston region experienced a major fire at one of its many petrochemical facilities. This one, at the KMCO plant in Crosby on Tuesday, April 2, resulted in the death of one worker and severely injured two others. This followed the March 17 fire at the ITC plant in Deer Park, which resulted in a huge plume of smoke that wafted over the region for several days.

Air Alliance Houston, our local champion working to make sure everyone has a right to breathe clean air, has published an excellent letter with more information about the ITC fire. You might also be interested in their State of the Air gala the evening of Thursday, April 4, 2019.

In response to that disaster, the One Breath Partnership, a consortium of local environmental groups and academic institutions, sent out a reminder that these are not isolated incidents, and asked members of the public to sign a petition asking the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for stricter enforcement and transparency. You can learn more and find the petition onebreathhous.org.

Meanwhile, the Galveston Bay Foundation has been conducting independent water testing in the aftermath of the ITC event. You can read more and see an interactive map of their results galvbay.org.

Judge Lina Hidalgo plans to place an item on the agenda for the next meeting of Harris County Commissioners Court, 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. This item provides the community with the opportunity to provide comments concerning the recent fire at the KMCO facility in Crosby, and you are invited to attend and comment (if you register in advance).


Air Alliance Houston’s State of the Air Gala

On April 4, 2019, from 6-9 p.m., Air Alliance Houston will hold its Second Annual State of the Air Gala at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, 3816 Caroline. Keynote spekaer Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will discuss the Houston region’s air quality concerns and initiatives, and executive director Dr. Bakeyah Nelson will discuss Air Alliance Houston’s current projects and priorities to advance clean air and environmental justice in Texas. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit 2019stateoftheair.ezregister.com.


Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Alfresco Gala

On April 5, 2019, from 7-11 p.m., the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will hold its Alfresco Gala, with the theme “Magnolias Under the Moon,” at The Bayou Club. The event will honor Ruth Flournoy, champion for conservation and nature education. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit houstonarboretum.org.


City of Houston Climate Action Plan Community Meetings

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Sources Houston 2014: Buildings 49%, Transportation 47%, Waste 4%

The City of Houston’s Office of Sustainability, has begun drafting a Climate Action Plan. The goal is to create ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish a pathway to meet the Paris Agreement goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050, while also decreasing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and reducing costs through energy efficiency and renewable energy. The target completion date for the Plan is December 2019, with implementation by the City to start in 2020. HARC, the Houston Advanced Research Center, is providing technical assistance.

The City has scheduled a set of Community Meetings to give members of the public information about the Plan, as well as receive input: The remaining meeting will be held from 6-8 p.m. on the following dates (see details here):

  • April 6, 2019 — Southwest Multiservice Center
  • April 16, 2019 — Denver Harbor Multiservice Center
  • May 2, 2019 — Northeast Multiservice Center

GCBO Spring Fling

Gulf Coast Bird Observatory’s Spring Fling is an opportunity to see and celebrate millions of migratory songbirds as they arrive at stopover habitat along the coast. This is great time to enjoy the wide variety of species that migrate through Texas dressed in their spring finery and to see colorful birds like orioles, grosbeaks, tanagers, and numerous warbler species. Spring Fling takes place at the Quintana Neotropic Bird Sanctuary and runs from April 6 to May 5, 2019, from 9 am – 4 pm daily. The Sanctuary is located on Lamar Street across from the Quintana town hall building. http://www.gcbo.org/spring-fling/


4th Annual Pearland Clean and Green

On April 6, 2019, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Keep Pearland Beautiful and its partner organizations will host the 4th Annual Pearland Clean and Green, a grassroots event where the residents of participate in the city’s biggest cleanup. The event includes electronics recycling, document shredding, and more. For more information, visit the Facebook event.


2019 Fight for Air Climb

On April 6, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m., the American Lung Association’s Houston chapter will host the 2019 Fight for Air Climb at the 1001 Fannin Building in downtown. Participants can climb the building’s stairs alone or with friends and family to raise funds to support the American Lung Association’s mission. For more information and to register, visit action.lung.org.


Bayou Greenway Day 2019

On April 6, 2019, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the Houston Parks Board will hold Bayou Greenway Day 2019, a free outdoor festival at Mason Park, 541 South 75th Street. The event will feature a 5k Run/Walk, followed by fun activities for the whole family, including live music, an Easter egg hunt, football and cheer activities with the Houston Texans and The Wade Smith Foundation soccer games with Houston Dynamo staff, and more. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Interfaith Environmental Stewardship Event

On April 7, 2019, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church and the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will host a stewardship event at the Willow Waterhole Greenspace. People of all faiths (or no faith at all) are invited to engage in hands-on environmental stewardship by mulching around plantings, planting native plants and removing trash at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve. This is family-friendly event. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Galveston FeatherFest 2019

From April 11-14, the 17th Annual Galveston FeatherFest will be held on the island and environs. Some of the new offerings in store for birders and photographers include: Ebike Birding, Armand Bayou Photography Pontoon Boat Trip, Armand Bayou Rookery Birding Field Trip, Moody Gardens Up Close Photography Trip and Greet the Dawn at Virginia Point Birding Field Trip. For more information, visit galvestonfeatherfest.com.

Future of Leadership Luncheon

On April 11, 2019, the Center for Houston’ Future will hold its annual “Future of Leadership” luncheon, which celebrates the important role of philanthropy in the region, at the Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar Street. The event will feature a conversation between Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, and Laura Arnold, co-chair of Arnold Ventures, on the future of philanthropy. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

2019 Annual Meeting of the Upper Oyster Creek TMDL Implementation Plan Group

On April 11, 2019, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will hold the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Upper Creek Oyster Creek TDML Implementation Plan in the Cane Room of the City of Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. The meeting is part of an ongoing effort to address water quality issues in Upper Oyster Creek. To review the Implementation Plan for bacteria and DO in Upper Oyster Creek, visit upperoystercreek.com.

The Future of Urban Mobility

On April 11, 2019, from 7-8:30 p.m, the Kinder Institute for Urban Research
and the Rice Initiative in Technology, Culture and Society will present a panel discussion on how technology, policy and transportation interact, and how they can be used to develop a city that functions better for all communities. The event will be held at the Bioscience Research Collaborative, 6500 Main Street. For more information and to RSVP, visit kinder.rice.edu.

25th Annual Attwater Prairie Chicken Festival

On April 13, 2019, from 7 a.m.-4 p.m., the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge will host the 25th Annual Prairie Chicken Festival, a celebration of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken and the native coastal prairie that the iconic bird calls home. Early-morning van tours will take participants up to one of the booming grounds to watch the male prairie chicken’s famous courtship dance. Other events include wildflower and native plant guided tours, bird walks and birding van tours with experienced birders, refuge management tours and a merchandise booth. For more information, visit fws.gov.

J.B. Harrison Foundation Spring Bird Count

On April 13, 2019, from 8 a.m.-noon, the J.B. Harrison Foundation will host its first Spring Bird Count at JBH Long Point Ranch, 8200 Whaley-Long Point Road, Richmond. Please RSVP is required by April 6 by sending an email tp hannah@jbhfound.org. For more information, visit jbhfound.org.

Adopt-A-Beach Spring Coastal Cleanup

On April 13, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Texas General Land Office is hosting the annual Spring Coastal Cleanup at beaches along the Texas Gulf Coast, including several in the greater Houston-Galveston region. For more information and to register, visit glo.texas.gov.

Galveston Bay Foundation’s Marsh Mania

On April 13, 2019, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation is hosting the annual Marsh Mania, a community-driven restoration event in which volunteers plant marsh grass along eroding shorelines of Galveston Bay. This year, it will be held at Virgina Point (near the Galveston causeway) and Moses Lake in Texas City Families and kids are welcome. For more information and to register, visit galvbay.org.

Neches River National Wildlife Refuge Grand Opening

On April 13, 2019, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge, a 7,000-acres wildlife habitat – forests, wetlands, and trails — along the iconic Neches River located in East Texas on US Highway 79 between Palestine and Jacksonville, will hold its Grand Opening. The event will include: guided nature walks, van tours of the refuge, kids activities, exhibits, and nationally-known conservation consultant Chuck Rocha. For more information, visit tcatexas.org.

Baytown Nature Center’s Nurture Nature Festival

On April 13, 2019, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and the Baytown Nature Center, 6213 Bayway Drive, will host its annual Nuture Nature Festival. Learn some outdoor skills, see and touch wildlife, listen to music and more. Hands-on youth activities include camping skills, reptiles, fishing, archery and more. TPWD will also have a drawing for a Camping Package for youth who enter the Outdoor Kid’s Challenge. For more information, visit tpwd.texas.gov or baytown.org.

HackHouston 2019

On April 13-14, 2019, HackHouston 2019, a 24 hour event where hundreds of technology and non-technology students will come together to brainstorm ideas, build software/hardware projects, and most of all, have fun, will be held at the Texas Southern University Science Building. For more information and to register, visit
hackhouston.io.

Willow Waterhole MusicFEST 2019

On April 13-14, 2019, the Willow Waterhole Conservancy will host MusicFEST 2019, featuring a variety of musical styles and tempos will be represented with two days of vibrant, live music in a festive atmosphere. For more information, visit willowwaterhole.org.


Public Comment Period for revised definition of “Waters of the United States” deadline April 15

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army have published for public comment a proposed rule defining the scope of waters federally regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This proposed rule is intended to increase CWA program predictability and consistency by increasing clarity as to the scope of “waters of the United States” federally regulated under the Act. The public comment period for the revised definition is April 15, 2019. For more information and to submit comments, visit federalregister.gov.


Houston Wilderness’s Great Green Quest scholarship opportunity

Applications for Houston Wilderness‘s 2019 Great Green Quest – Careers in Conservation scholarship opportunity are open through April 29, 2019. This program is open to undergraduate and graduate interns or staff who currently work at one of HW’s 100+ Network Partner organizations in the 13-county region and are currently seeking an undergraduate or master’s level degree in environmental science and/or ecology-related careers. With the projected population increases in our region and continued development of built and nature-based infrastructure to accommodate that growth, we appreciate the need to invest in the future stewards of this region’s important natural landscapes.  Houston Wilderness is offering up to five $1,000.00 scholarships to help support deserving students in our region. For more information about the “Careers in Conservation” Scholarship program and to submit applications, please contact Torey Brown at torey@houstonwilderness.org. 


Scenic City Application Deadline Extended to April 30

The Houston-Galveston Area Council and Scenic Texas support vibrant, healthy communities across the state. Partnering with Scenic Texas and other agencies to form the Scenic City Certification Program has been a natural fit for H-GAC. See the full roster of certified Scenic Cities and review program requirements at sceniccitycertification.org. Due to a high volume of interest, the deadline to apply has been extended to April 30, 2019.


Funding opportunity: Understanding Gulf Coastal Ecosystems

The Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine is offering up to $5 million in grants to improve understanding of how coastal ecosystems in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region are affected by or interact with natural processes and human activities for the purpose of informing natural resource decision-making and management practices. This opportunity is based on a recent report, Understanding the Long-Term Evolution of the Coupled Natural-Human Coastal System: The Future of the U.S. Gulf Coast, which highlights the deep interconnections between natural processes and human activities along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Coastal ecosystems are constantly responding to external changes, from high concentrations of human activity to powerful natural processes such as hurricanes, sea level rise, and land subsidence. Projects are expected to be directly applicable to natural resource decision-making and management practices in the Gulf region. A letter of intent is required. Submit your letter of intent by 5 p.m. ET on May 22, 2019.


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.

  • A husband and wife work to save the Chimney Swift
  • Progress for paddlefish in Caddo Lake
  • At Eisenhower Park, it’s all about the water

Additional Upcoming Events