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November 26, 2012

Houston Environmental News Update November 27, 2012

CEC NOTES

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director
  2. Shell Center presents Houston Sustainability Indicators Project Report
  3. New Website & Calendar

COALITION NOTES

  1. EVs for Trees Program
  2. Houston Green Film Series: The Last Mountain
  3. Sierra Club Workshop: Meeting With Decision Makers 101
  4. Countdown to Christmas Bird Counts
  5. TWRC Wildlife Center: Intensive Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course
  6. 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference
  7. Air Alliance Houston – Earth Day Contest
  8. 2012 Christmas Cruises Along Buffalo Bayou

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. “The True Cost of Environmental Injustice:” A Texas Observer Public Forum
  2. Green Drinks Houston
  3. 2013 Congress & Exposition Education Session Proposals
  4. The Wild Mural Project, Unveiled
  5. Electronic Waste Recycling
  6. Webinar – The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom
  7. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes
  8. 2013 Tree Planting Competition
  9. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  10. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Houston Vies For Bloomberg’s $5 Million To Help Create ‘One Bin For All’ (KUHF News, 11/21/12)
  2. Dead fish symptom of ailing bayous (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle, 11/18/12)
  3. Drought drives rainwater collection across Texas (David Barer – The Statesman, 11/23/12)

GREEN JOBS

  1. NEW! Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) seeks Graduate Student Intern
  2. NEW! Texas Coastal Watershed Program seeks Wetland Program Assistant
  3. The Mercer Society seeks a Grower
  4. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens seeks Conservation Botany Intern

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director. The Citizens Environmental Coalition is seeking an Executive Director with a passion for environmental issues and strong community involvement and fundraising talents.  CEC works with organizations serving all facets of the environmental community with the mission of fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston/Gulf Coast region.  We are seeking a person with strong independent work habits and the ability to connect with the breadth of the environmental community.  For more information visit cechouston.org or contact our interim ED, Shawn McFarland, at shawn@cechouston.org. Please send a cover letter and resume to helen.oconnor@live.com, Board President, by January 1, 2013.
  2. Shell Center presents Houston Sustainability Indicators Project Report. A free public presentation of the Houston Sustainability Indicators (HSI) Project Report will take place November 28, 2012, from 2-4 pm at Kelly International Conference Facility, Baker Hall, Rice University. The HSI Project was designed to generate facts and measure how well Houston is doing in terms of development, and to agree on the things that matter most as Houston pursues sustainable development. It is a comprehensive overview of sustainable development in Houston and we are inviting everyone to participate in this project. Participants will gain access to resources on sustainability and will directly contribute to the development of the project through interpretation and feedback on the indicators. Learn more at https://shellcenter.rice.edu/.
  3. New Website & Calendar. The CEC has a new website! Well, it has a great new look with all of the same great content it has always had. The calendar has much more functionality–help us fill it up!  cechouston.org.

COALITION NOTES

  1. EVs for Trees Program. Deadline: December 1, 2012. The EVs for Trees Program provides drivers with an added incentive to test drive an electric vehicle (EV). When Houstonians test drive a 100% electric Mitsubishi “i” or Nissan LEAF between now and December 1st at a participating EVs for Trees dealership, the dealer will donate $25 to Trees for Houston. Additionally, if the driver is a Green Mountain Energy or Reliant customer, these companies will donate an extra $25. Throughout the program, EVs for Trees test drive vouchers will be available for download online at http://www.evsfortrees.com/. No purchase is necessary; drivers can simply take the voucher to a participating dealer and test drive an electric car to generate a donation to Trees for Houston, which will provide funding to care for distressed trees and plant new trees. To find participating dealerships and for more information on the EVs for Trees program, visit www.greenhoustontx.gov/, http://www.evsfortrees.com/ or contact Lisa Lin at lisa.lin@houstontx.gov or 832.393.0850. You can also watch the EVs for Trees Video featuring special guest appearances from Mayor Annise Parker and organizations in Houston at http://www.youtube.com/.
  2. Houston Green Film Series: The Last Mountain. The Houston Green Film Series will continue on November 28th, 6:30-9pm, at the Rice University Media Center (2030 Entrance 2 Dr). The film, The Last Mountain, documents the battle over protecting our health and environment from the destructive power of Big Coal. The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America’s struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns. Nowhere is that concern greater than in Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like Massey Energy, from continuing the devastating practice of Mountain Top Removal. The event starts with a meet-and-greet, followed by the film. A expert panel discussion will be held after the showing. Light dinner kindly donated by Dr. Pat Speck and Dry Bones Cafe. A $5 donation is suggested and greatly appreciated. More at https://www.facebook.com/.
  3. Sierra Club Workshop: Meeting With Decision Makers 101. Join Sierra Club Lonestar Chapter for lunch and a workshop on December 1st, 11am-1:30pm, at The Chatham Center at St. Stephen’s (1800 Sul Ross Street). Participants will learn how to effectively speak with decision makers to drive your cause forward! The workshop is open to all who are interested in learning how to create change in their communities. It’s a great way to get involved in Houston. There will be opportunities in the week following the workshop to meet with actual Houston decision makers and implement what you learn. To RSVP, please click here. Join the event on Facebook! Please direct all questions to Tansy Stobart at tansystobartsc@gmail.com.
  4. Countdown to Christmas Bird Counts. Experience the magic of birding and Christmas Bird Counts with Houston Audubon in this fun event for the entire family. There will be a showing of the HBO movie, Birders: The Central Park Effect, which looks at the wide array of wild birds that come in and out of Central Park throughout the year, as well as the New Yorkers who track and observe them. No need to bring binoculars! We’ll supply checklists for those who wish to test their ID skills. After the movie, there will be a discussion about Christmas Bird Counts – a time to ask questions about CBCs and share war stories. In the movie one of the birders recites his seven reasons why he loves birding. Make your own list and compare! http://www.houstonaudubon.org/
  5. TWRC Wildlife Center: Intensive Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course. The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council will offer a Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Course in Houston this December for those looking to add to their formal wildlife rehab education. The IWRC is a non-profit organization that offers training and support to professional wildlife rehabilitators from large non-profit organizations to individual home rehabilitators. This is an introductory course with lecture topics that include: intro to wildlife rehab, basic anatomy and physiology, calculating drug dosages, handling and physical restraint, thermoregulation, stress, basic shock cycle, initial care and physical examination, nutrition and associated diseases, standards for housing, zoonoses, euthanasia criteria and release criteria. It includes a half-day lab to practice techniques in: gavage (tube-feeding), physical restraint, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, physical exams, limb immobilization and weighing. Full course earns 15 Continuing Education Credits. The class will be held at the TWRC Wildlife Center Houston, TX on December 1st and 2nd. Cost: IWRC Members $125 Non-members $159. REGISTER ONLINE TODAY TO HOLD YOUR SPOT: www.theiwrc.org. Want to register by phone? Call 866-871-1869 or email office@theiwrc.org. More at http://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org./
  6. 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference. Coastal Prairie Partnership and Native Prairie Association of Texas are proud to invite you to the 4th Annual State of the Prairie Conference to be held in Kingsville, TX from Dec. 6-9, 2012 at the both the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center and Texas A&M Kingsville. This year’s conference includes two of days of highly informative field trips to prairie remnants in the greater Corpus/Kingsville area and prairie plant grow out centers. There will be presentations and field experiences that focus on the economics of prairies and prairie restoration, cattle production, restoration after oil/gas drilling and landowner rights, biodiversity, prairie wetlands and more. So whether you are a private landowner, rancher, conservationist, landscape architect, educator, naturalist, or just curious about building prairies, this event is for you! $125 for indoor presentations on Dec. 7 and 8 (student rate available), includes lunch and dinner, $30 for Field Experience on Dec. 6 or 9. Single-day rates available. Full details and registration available at www.prairiepartner.org.
  7. Air Alliance Houston – Earth Day Contest. After five years in elementary and middle schools, this year Air Alliance Houston’s Earth Day Art Contest will include works by high-school students. Students in the third through twelfth grades in the Houston area should enter their artwork by Thursday, January 31, 2013. Earth Day celebrates our planet’s wonders. Show what you see when you think of clean air, water, and land. Show your vision of how we can honor, celebrate and protect our environment.
    • Works must be two dimensional on an 11” x 14” sheet of paper.
    • Acceptable media are acrylics, oils, water colors, pastels, chalk, charcoal, pencils, ink, crayon, collages, and computer-generated art. Chalk, pastels, and charcoal must be affixed.
    • Put your name, grade, school, and teacher’s name on the back.
    • Mail or deliver the art to: Art Contest – Skyline Art Services/6955 Portwest Drive, Suite 160/Houston, Texas 77024.
  8. 2012 Christmas Cruises Along Buffalo Bayou. Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership in celebrating the holiday season with 30-minute pontoon boat rides along Buffalo Bayou served up with plenty of decorations, brightly colored lights, song and cheer! The cruises will be held on December 1, 8, and 15 from 5-8pm (weather permitting). Boat landing and pick up location is at downtown’s Allen’s Landing (Commerce and Main Street) on the other side of Main Street Bridge from the Spaghetti Warehouse. No reservations are taken, and tours are on a first come – first serve basis. Limited capacity of 21 persons per trip. The cruises are $7 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4 -12) no strollers please (cash only). Check the website at www.buffalobayou.org for cancellations due to weather. Private tours are also available – call 713.752.0314 ext. 4 for reservations.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. “The True Cost of Environmental Injustice:” A Texas Observer Public Forum. The Texas Observer is hosting a panel entitled, “The True Cost of Environmental Injustice” at Rice University (McMurtry Auditorium, Duncan Hall) on November 28th at 7pm. Texans will greatly benefit from this in-depth and open panel discussion about the role that big chemical and oil refineries play in the health and environment of fenceline communities. Please RSVP to nelson@texasobserver.org. More details on Facebook!
  2. Green Drinks Houston. Green Drinks Houston will officially launch in January 2013, but there will be an informal happy hour this month. Green Drinks is an international organization that brings together individuals, business owners, organizations and all kinds of people that like to talk green. The happy hour will take place on Thursday, November 29th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Whole Foods, 701 Waugh Drive, Houston 77019. Learn more at http://www.greendrinks.org/ and on Facebook.
  3. 2013 Congress & Exposition Education Session Proposals. NRPA and the 2013 NRPA Congress Program Committee are seeking energetic and engaging speakers to submit education session proposals for the 2013 Congress & Exposition, October 8-10, 2013 in Houston, TX. Sessions should focus on: Changing the Way We Do Business: Collaborations, Privatization, and Partnerships; Parks and Recreation’s Role in Public Health Initiatives; Telling Our Story Better: Cultivating Community and Elected Support; Providing Services and Programs for Diverse Populations. Proposal deadline has been extended to Friday, November 30, 2012. More at http://www.nrpa.org/proposals/.
  4. The Wild Mural Project, Unveiled. A 15ft by 75ft Wild mural will be unveiled on November 30, 2012, at M Squared Gallery during their Madmen on 19th Party (in conjunction with the Heights Holiday on 19th street event). The mural is dedicated to endangered and extinct Texas Wildlife created by Houston artist Stephanie Darling. Animals from ocean to sky, the daytime and evening dwellers, and the gentle and fierce will be represented. The Houston toad, Ocelot, Manatee, Whooping Crane, and Mexican Spotted Owl just to name a few, are included in the Mural. Come by and have a drink at M Squared Gallery, enjoy the festivities on 19th street, and celebrate the new Wild Mural for the Heights. More at http://www.kickstarter.com/.
  5. Electronic Waste Recycling. The City of Houston Solid Waste Department and CompuCycle are providing monthly one day E-Recyclable collection events on the first Saturday of the month (next one: December 1st) at the Kingwood Metro Park & Ride lot. This is primarily for City of Houston residents, but CompuCycle says no one will be turned away. CompuCycle – Houston’s first R2 certified electronic solutions provider – guarantees that all data will be permanently destroyed and that electronic items will not end up in our landfills. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  6. Webinar – The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom. Texas Children in Nature is partnering with REAL Schools Gardens in Dallas/Ft. Worth and National Wildlife Federation to host a state-wide webinar on December 6th for Texas educators. The webinar, The Path to Healthier, Happier, Smarter Kids: The Schoolyard Classroom, will include the research supporting outdoor education, the importance of a team approach, outdoor classroom possibilities, instruction, professional development considerations and the components for long term success. Featured speakers include Irene Pickhardt of Texas Education Agency, Lisa Webber of STEMscopes at Rice University as well as educators from successful ISD programs across the state. The webinar is on December 6th, 4:00 p.m – 5:15 p.m. Central. Free! RSVP. More at http://txcinc.wordpress.com/.
  7. Breakfast with the Sandhill Cranes. Nature lovers throughout the region await the arrival of Sandhill Cranes every year. A number of these large, majestic birds have already been spotted on the west end, and many more will be on hand for the annual Breakfast with the Cranes on Dec. 8. Enjoy a light breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Galveston Country Club, 14228 Stewart Road, and meet Joan Garland of the International Crane Foundation, who will talk about cranes in Texas, the organization’s worldwide crane studies and conservation efforts. Then off to the pastures and sloughs that are hot spots for a bird’s eye view of the visiting Sandhill Cranes. Cars will leave for birding sites immediately after the presentation and return to the County Club around noon. Some 145 cranes were sighted during last year’s event. Breakfast with the Cranes event ticket prices are $20 for GINTC members and $25 for non-members. More at http://guidrynews.com/.
  8. 2013 Tree Planting Competition. The 2013 Tree Planting Competition will be held on February 9th, 2013. The planting competition once again will be held in partnership with Harris County Flood Control District, and will take place at the 11,500 blk of Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77067. As in years past there will be Professional, Amateur and Youth Divisions, and HCFCD will till the site beforehand. Register for the event by downloading the form at http://cechouston.org/.
  9. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Seabrook, and on HCC. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area). This week’s broadcast will include:
    • Hunting Dogs 101
    • Davis Mountains State Park
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Double H Ranch
    • Crazy About Birds
  10. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • November 27: Green–Good. Moderate winds, low incoming background levels, and cool temperatures should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • November 28: Green–Good. Moderate winds, low incoming background levels, and cool temperatures should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • Novmeber 29: Green–Good. Moderate winds, low incoming background levels, and cool temperatures should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

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ECONOTES

Featured News Articles–For dozens of additional headlines, visit the CEC website. (You can let us know about articles, too. E-mail news@cechouston.org).

  1. Houston Vies For Bloomberg’s $5 Million To Help Create ‘One Bin For All’ (KUHF News, 11/21/12) Houston was selected out of 300 U.S. cities to be named as one of 20 finalists for Mayor Bloomberg’s Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge for the “Total Reuse: One Bin for All”. The idea is there will be one bin where you throw everything: food waste, recyclables, trash and glass. This could improve the rate of recycling from 15% to somewhere between 55% and 75%. http://app1.kuhf.org/
  2. Dead fish symptom of ailing bayous (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle, 11/18/12) Fish kills, where thousands of fish die for lack of oxygen in the water, are a symptom of urban encroachment on bayous like Dickinson that lace the Houston region. The urbanized area in the Dickinson Bayou watershed more than doubled between 2002 and 2008. The 27 miles of Dickinson Bayou that snake through Galveston and Brazoria counties are plagued with low oxygen levels that occasionally kill fish. The bayou is filled with bacteria that can cause illness to swimmers and pollutants such as oil, pesticides, human waste from septic tanks and animal waste washed into the bayou through storm drains. http://www.chron.com/
  3. Drought drives rainwater collection across Texas (David Barer – The Statesman, 11/23/12) The recent drought has increased the sales of rainwater collection systems. A system can be anything from a 55-gallon barrel stuck beneath a gutter to a full-roof system with pumps and filtration. Harvesting rainwater is more sustainable than well drilling, although well drilling relieves strain on municipal reservoirs. http://www.statesman.com/

GREEN JOBS

Tell them you heard about it from us! Job listings can be found at CEC’s Green Jobs page.

  1. NEW! Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) seeks Graduate Student Intern. This fall the Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) will be hiring a graduate student intern. TCWP is a program of Texas A&M University that works on projects concerning wetland restoration and wetland education. The program is located in Houston, TX. Graduate students in wetland ecology, wetland restoration and wetland education are encouraged to apply. Interns will assist with several ongoing projects, focusing on the development of an Operations and Maintenance plan for restored wetland habitat at Sheldon Lake State Park. This task is to be completed in cooperation with Texas Park and Wildlife staff. This primary task will involve technical writing, research, numerical analysis, and some field work, and will require solid organization and writing skills. Internship will begin in early January and will conclude by the end of summer term 2013. Compensation is hourly, and the position is 20 hours per week. Employment will be at our office in Houston. Applicants should submit a resume, a 1-page cover letter, and a 2-page (max) writing sample. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate studies program at the time of hire. Application packets or questions about the positions can be sent to m-sipocz@tamu.edu, subject line: tcwp internship. Visit agrilife.urbannature.org; wetlandteam.ning.com
  2. NEW! Texas Coastal Watershed Program seeks Wetland Program Assistant. The Texas Coastal Watershed Program (Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University) is seeking applications for a Wetland Program Assistant to work directly on existing restoration projects at Sheldon Lake State Park. Responsibilities include working collaboratively with the Wetland Restoration Team during Team workdays, completing other potential wetland restoration sites, and conducting wetland restoration monitoring (e.g. weekly water level monitoring and quarterly vegetation and photopoint collection). The Wetland Program Assistant must be a self-starter with a positive attitude and be able to work comfortably with volunteers and other staff. The ability to speak in public is a must, as well as, good writing and editing skills. A Bachelors of Science in Ecology or natural resource science is preferred, as well as knowledge and experience working in wetland education or restoration. Extensive experience may substitute for a degree. For more information contact Marissa Sipocz at: m-sipocz@tamu.edu. Send letter of interest and resume by e-mail only.
  3. The Mercer Society seeks a Grower. The Mercer Society is seeking a Grower. The Grower of The Mercer Society (TMS) is responsible for all routine aspects of maintaining the greenhouses used by volunteers, currently primarily the Northside Greenhouse Compound (NGC). This person propagates and grows plant material to be used for TMS fundraising plant sales, monitors facility maintenance, and supervises volunteers. The Grower needs to be able to work independently and manage their time effectively. The grower reports to The Mercer Society office staff and works with Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens’ (MABG) Horticultural Operations Coordinator. As a TMS employee, the Grower is expected to assist the organization and attend their other major events. More information at http://www.getnurserygreenhousejobs.com/.
  4. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens seeks Conservation Botany Intern. Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens is advertising a full time (possible part time) paid internship through the Student Conservation Association (SCA). This internship will focus on plant conservation efforts at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens and restoring wild populations of endangered native plants in the Houston metro area. The intern will assist with formulating a restoration and management plan for a rare native plant preserve in the Houston metro area. The intern will assess the viability of Mercer’s frozen seed bank for three of the major rare prairie plant species in Houston metro area as well as assist collections of other rare species for the Center for Plant Conservation National Collection of Endangered Plants. Interested persons should contact the SCA directly at http://mysca.force.com/ and search for the position: 00192580. More about the SCA at http://www.thesca.org/.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

If you attend one of these events, please let them know you heard about it here! Visit the new calendar at cechouston.org.

ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

This weekly update is brought to you by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, established as a 501(c)3 in 1971. CEC is a coaltion of over 100 environmental organizations dedicated to fostering dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston / Gulf Coast region. Visit the CEC on line at cechouston.org.

Do you know of something great going on? News? Events? Accomplishments? Jobs? Let us know! Send submittals to news@cechouston.org. If possible, send information by Friday for inclusion the following Tuesday. We especially like short paragraphs, catchy titles, third person, and links to more information, but we will work with whatever you send us. Calendar items can be submitted up to two years in advance. We are always looking for volunteers to help keep our calendar up to date.

Donate Now!

CEC and other leading environmental organizations participate in payroll contribution plans at many Texas workplaces through Earth Share of Texas. Find out how you can support CEC at 800-GREENTX or www.earthshare-texas.org.

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CEC agencies receive donations when you choose Green Bank. Visit www.greenbank.com for more information about the program.

Shawn McFarland, Interim Executive Director
Rachel Powers, Volunteer Editor-in-Chief
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
Rachel Tardiff, Calendar Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org