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December 10, 2012

Houston Environmental News Update December 11, 2012

CEC NOTES

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director
  2. Newsletter Holiday
  3. 82nd Legislature Regular Session–what are YOU following?

COALITION NOTES

  1. HANC Winter Native Plant Sale
  2. Art Benefit – Memorial Park Conservancy
  3. Special Program: Wildlife Diversity Program
  4. KPC Field Day
  5. Houston Audubon Owl Prowl
  6. 2012-2013 Texas Christmas Bird Counts
  7. 2012 Christmas Cruises Along Buffalo Bayou
  8. “Now What” Community Meeting About Houston’s Bayou Greenways
  9. Free Idling Reduction Bumper Stickers & Signs
  10. GPRC Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢
  11. Save the date: The 13th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Holiday Trees: Artistically Upcycled
  2. Whooper Help
  3. Film Screening: Eating Alabama
  4. Sugar Land Community Meeting: City Park
  5. Master Naturalist Program
  6. The Outdoor Experience
  7. Whooper Help
  8. America’s Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists
  9. Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Funding
  10. Save the Date: 2013 Tree Planting Competition
  11. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  12. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Galveston Coastline To Go Virtual Thanks To New Partnership (Jack Williams and Laurie Johnson – KUHF News, 12/5/2012)
  2. Water, jobs, infrastructure will be issues for legislators in coming session (Rusty Graham – Your Memorial News, 11/30/2012)
  3. Funding Awarded Towards Houston’s First Public Hydrogen Fueling Station (Guidry News, 12/5/2012)

GREEN JOBS

  1. CEC seeks Executive Director
  2. NEW! Urban Harvest seeks Executive Director
  3. NEW! The Woods Project seeks Club Program Directors
  4. NEW! Hermann Park Conservancy seeks Marketing Director
  5. NEW! Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership seeks Watershed Coordinator
  6. The Mercer Society seeks Executive Director
  7. Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks Administrative Assistant
  8. Texas Coastal Watershed Program (TCWP) seeks Graduate Student Intern
  9. Texas Coastal Watershed Program seeks Wetland Program Assistant
  10. The Mercer Society seeks a Grower
  11. 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. Newsletter Holiday. The Houston Environmental News Update will not be published on Tuesday, December 25, 2012, or on New Year’s Day. We will continue to update the calendar and website, and we will send an abbreviated newsletter towards the end of December.
  3. 82nd Legislature Regular Session–what are YOU following? Session begins at noon on Tuesday, January 8, 2012, and we’d like to share information during the session about what bills our member groups and readers are tracking. Let us know what legislation will be important to you, and we will highlight it in our first newsletter of 2013, on January 8. We’ll follow the status of the bills and provide information in our newsletter. If you provide insight into progress of any of the bills, we’ll share that, too.So far, 278 bills have been filed by the House and 127 bills have been filed by the Senate. Bills filed so far touch on issues including climate adaptation planning, eminent domain for recreation, community gardens, solid waste management, transportations, the sporting goods sales tax, emmissions inspections, muncicpal land development, TCEQ rules, water efficiency and water rates, and salvage yards, to name a few. Learn more at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Reports/General.aspx.

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COALITION NOTES

  1. HANC Winter Native Plant Sale. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center will be holding its Winter Native Plant Sale from December 8-16, 2012, from 9 am to 4pm at 4501 Woodway Dr. Over 90 species of native plants will be available, including Baldy Cypress, Beatyberry, Coral Honeysuckle, Gulf Coast Muhley, Indigo Bush, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Sassafras, Sweetbay Magnolia, and White Oak. Find a complete list here: http://www.houstonarboretum.org/.
  2. Art Benefit – Memorial Park Conservancy. The ArtFull Umbrella event on December 11, 2012, at Mixed Emotions Gallery (95 Tuam Street) will benefit Memorial Park Conservancy. Because of the 2011 drought, Memorial Park lost half of its canopy. Given the park’s popularity, so many people have been heartbroken by the loss of the park’s trees. The good news is that The Memorial Park Conservancy has a plan to replant, and this art benefit is perfectly timed to raise money to make sure the Conservancy has the necessary funds to get ready for the upcoming Arbor Day 2013 and planting season. At the benefit, you can expect great food, drinks, and entertainment. Learn more at http://theartfullumbrella.com/.
  3. Special Program: Wildlife Diversity Program. The Houston Sierra Club and the Houston Audubon Society are jointly hosting a special program on December 12, 2012, at 7 pm at the Hermann Park Garden Center (1500 Hermann Dr). John Davis, Wildlife Diversity Program Director, will speak about current wildlife diversity issues, how the Wildlife Diversity Program is funded, and most importantly, what is needed in the future to truly do a good job of stewarding wildlife diversity in Texas. Contact: Evelyn Merz at 713-644-8228 or elmerz@hal-pc.org. More at http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
  4. KPC Field Day. Join Katy Prairie Conservancy at the Indiangrass Preserve on December 13, 2012, 8 am-3 pm, to help restore the prairie! Typical activities include work in the Coastal Prairie Nursery and Garden, trail maintenance, invasive species control. Individuals and groups are welcome. For more information, contact Linda Langlitz at llanglitz@katyprairie.org, call 713-530-7147, or visit http://www.katyprairie.org/.
  5. Houston Audubon Owl Prowl. The next Owl Prowl at the Edith Moore Sanctuary log cabin will take place on December 14, 2012, 7-9 pm. The evening will begin with a lively program on owls including a rare opportunity to meet live, rehabilitated owls. Audubon docents then lead participants along the sanctuary’s wooded trails in search of resident screech owls. Learn more and make a reservation at http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
  6. 2012-2013 Texas Christmas Bird Counts. The 113th annual Christmas Bird Count is scheduled for December 14, 2012, to January 5, 2013. Organized by the National Audubon Society, this all-volunteer effort takes a snapshot of bird populations to monitor their status and distribution across the Western Hemisphere. Counts are open to birders of all skill levels. Novices are placed in groups with more experienced birders. New to CBCs? Join in the fun! Discover new areas to bird which may not be normally accessible and take advantage of this great opportunity to bird with some of our foremost birding experts. Be part of a long-standing holiday program that ultimately helps protect our extraordinary birds! As of 2012, there is NO FEE to participate in Christmas Bird Counts! The annual CBC report will be an online publication and Nation Audubon will rely on donations for funding. Check out the schedule at http://www.houstonaudubon.org/.
  7. 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 15, 2012, from 5-8 pm (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.
  8. “Now What” Community Meeting About Houston’s Bayou Greenways. ParksByYou and the Houston Parks Board will host a short, one-hour community meeting entitled: “Now What” at the United Way at 50 Waugh Drive Houston, TX 77007 on December 20, 2012, from 11am until noon. A short PowerPoint presentation will show where construction will begin on Houston’s Bayou Greenways during the first few months of 2013. ParksByYou still needs your help in fundraising and friendraising, so bring a friend and hear about the next steps in the most transformative project in Houston, and one of the largest trail projects in the nation. RSVP here: jen@houstonparksboard.org and check out www.houstonbayougreenways.org for more information on the trails and parks.
  9. Free Idling Reduction Bumper Stickers & Signs. Free idling reduction bumper stickers and signs are still available. Idling reduction bumper stickers can be posted inside or outside of vehicles as a daily reminder for drivers, passengers and pedestrians that engine idling wastes fuel, drains financial resources and pollutes our air. If you are interested in idling reduction bumper stickers and/or signs, simply complete the order form (available online at www.EngineOffHGAC.com) and email it to Melissa.Bain@H-GAC.com.
  10. GPRC Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢. Great Plains Restoration Council’s program Restoration Not Incarcerationâ„¢ is featured as a case study in the new book Environmental Social Work, published by Routledge Press 2013. With twin issues of trauma and crisis affecting both Earth and people — and society’s very sustainability at stake — GPRC is proud to be at the forefront of merging the health of both people and the Earth through the work and story of protecting America’s endangered grasslands. Chapter 9: Restoration Not Incarceration: An environmentally based pilot initiative for working with young offenders, by Dr. Christine Norton, of Texas State University, and Social Worker Barbara Holguin, is based on the first year developing Esteban Park in urban Houston as a coastal prairie refuge and Ecological Health demonstration site. The book is for sale on Amazon. You can check it out today and let GPRC know what you think.
  11. Save the date: The 13th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale. Mark your calendar for this once a year fruit-tree-fest. The 13th Annual Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until sold out, at Houston Community College, 5601 West Loop South, just south of Hwy 59. This sale brings together far more types and varieties of fruit trees than can be found anywhere else in the greater Houston area. Best fruit trees are available only during the winter at this sale.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Holiday Trees: Artistically Upcycled. Holiday trees decorated by local artists using recycled items will be on display during business hours until December 28, 2012, at the City of Houston’s offices at 611. Free and open to the public. More at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/.
  2. Whooper Help. Citizens can help the whoopers by reporting sightings and by preventing disturbance of cranes when they remain overnight at roosting and feeding locations. Sightings can be reported to whoopingcranes@tpwd.state.tx.us or 512-389-TXWW (8999). Observers are asked to note whether the cranes have colored leg bands. Volunteers interested in attending training sessions to become “Whooper Watchers” and helping to collect more detailed data should contact TPWD at whoopingcranes@tpwd.state.tx.us or 512-389-TXWW (8999). More info at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/whoopingcranes.
  3. Film Screening: Eating Alabama. In search of a simpler life, a young couple returns home to Alabama where they set out to eat the way their grandparents did – locally and seasonally. But as they navigate the agro-industrial gastronomical complex, they soon realize that nearly everything about the food system has changed since farmers once populated their family histories. The film will be shown at 14 Pews (800 Aurora St) on December 14, 2012, from 7-9 pm. A panel discussion will follow. Beverages from St. Arnolds and snacks from Whole Foods will be provided. Tickets are $11 and can be purchased at http://14pews.org/.
  4. Sugar Land Community Meeting: City Park. On Dec. 13, 2012, at 6:00 pm, come discuss proposals for a citywide park located on 63 acres south of U.S. Highway 90A and west of State Highway 6 near Easton Avenue and Chatham Avenue. The meeting will be held at Sugar Land City Hall, 2700 Town Center Blvd. North. The City is creating the concept plan for the community park in Telfair. The parkland also includes a two-acre historic cemetery. The project proposal includes passive and active elements such as cricket, lacrosse, tennis, adult soccer, water features, playgrounds and more. The information meeting on Dec. 13 builds on a public feedback period that resulted in suggestions from more than 1,200 people. More at http://guidrynews.com/.
  5. Master Naturalist Program. Twelve chapters of the Texas Master Naturalist program, including three in the region, are conducting 2013 winter/spring training classes for volunteers wanting to learn about natural resource and conservation management. Training topics include interpretation and management of natural resources, ecological concepts, eco-regions in Texas and natural systems management. Volunteers are expected to give 40 hours of service a year in community education, demonstration and habitat enhancement projects. Local chapters with sessions this spring include the Galveston Bay Area, Houston, and The Woodlands chapters. Learn more at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.
  6. The Outdoor Experience. Volunteers are needed for The Outdoor Experience. Sessions take place each day, May 6-10. The Outdoor Experience was created as a Community Outreach Annual Event for the youth in our area to get them “outdoors”. The education activities and hands on learning to provide the students a fun filled day that not only teaches them about “their outdoors” but also provides an opportunity to spark a personal interest in the environment. All conservation areas are covered from water, energy, animal, and environment, along with personal awareness, safety, citizenship and self confidence. Experts in the field are currently needed as well as volunteers to help out in a session. Contact: Dionicio (Dio) Gonzalez, Scout Reach Coordinator, (409) 392-3085 with any questions or to confirm attendance for the 2013 Outdoor Experience.
  7. Whooper Help. Citizens can help the whoopers by reporting sightings and by preventing disturbance of cranes when they remain overnight at roosting and feeding locations. Sightings can be reported to whoopingcranes@tpwd.state.tx.us or 512-389-TXWW (8999). Observers are asked to note whether the cranes have colored leg bands. Volunteers interested in attending training sessions to become “Whooper Watchers” and helping to collect more detailed data should contact TPWD at whoopingcranes@tpwd.state.tx.us or 512-389-TXWW (8999).
  8. America’s Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation , in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation, has announced a Request for Proposals for America’s Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists, an initiative to connect youth to the outdoors by providing financial support for conservation job-training programs. The initiative brings together public and private partners to support organizations that are developing conservation job opportunities on public lands which expose young people, particularly urban and minority youth, to the natural world and career opportunities available in conservation. Proposals are due January 21, 2013. More at http://www.nfwf.org/.
  9. Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Project Funding. The NOAA’s Restoration Center is currently soliciting applications for restoration projects that use a habitat-based approach to foster species recovery and increase fish production. The funding opportunity will focus on projects that will aid in recovering listed species and rebuilding sustainable fish populations or their prey. These projects should recover or sustain threatened and endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act and their prey or fish stocks managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and their prey. Applications are due by February 19, 2012. More at http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/.
  10. Save the Date: 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/.
  11. 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:
    • Garden of the Gulf
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Chris Holmes
    • Abilene State Park
    • Fishing With Your Piers
  12. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • December 11: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cold temperatures, and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • December 12: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone. Winds may be light enough for PM2.5 to reach “Moderate” levels in the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the morning and evening.
    • December 13: Green–Good. Moderate winds, cold temperatures, and low incoming background levels 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. Galveston Coastline To Go Virtual Thanks To New Partnership (Jack Williams and Laurie Johnson – KUHF News, 12/5/2012)
    Because Galveston Island is actually a barrier reef, it shifts over time. That shifting leads to both erosion and beach growth. That creates a big challenge when it comes to knowing how beaches will react to man-made changes along the coastline. The Galveston Park Board of Trustees is now partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create a virtual model of the coastline and a strategy that will help predict how the beaches will move in the future.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/
  2. Water, jobs, infrastructure will be issues for legislators in coming session (Rusty Graham – Your Memorial News, 11/30/2012)
    State Representatives, Bill Callegari (R-132) and Jim Murphy (R-133), talked about what area residents might expect from the 83rd Legislature, from water and government waste to manufacturing and tax reform. Water will likely be the state’s critical issue for years to come, as more reservoirs but federal regulations and requirements make them hard to build. Other ways of increasing a usable water supply include increasing the reuse of wastewater, and desalination of both seawater and brackish water.
    http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/
  3. Funding Awarded Towards Houston’s First Public Hydrogen Fueling Station (Guidry News, 12/5/2012)
    Vision Industries Corporation (OTCBB: VIIC), Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Air Products and project partners were recently awarded $500,000 from the Texas Emission Reduction Program (TERP) to partially fund the building of the first public hydrogen fueling station in the state. The station, which is proposed to be fed from an existing hydrogen pipeline, will fuel port trucks and be publicly available for personal vehicles at the Port of Houston.
    http://www.guidrynews.com/

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GREEN JOBS

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

  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. NEW! Urban Harvest seeks Executive Director. Urban Harvest is searching for an outstanding individual with strong leadership, management, and fundraising skills to become its next Executive Director. The Executive Director of Urban Harvest will work with the Board, staff, administration, and partners to promote the organization’s mission and accomplishments, position the organization to grow and thrive, and set priorities for achieving optimal community impact. He or she will provide strong leadership for the organization, including management of programs, staff, operating budget, strategic plan, donor and community relations, marketing, and development efforts. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of business experience, preferably in the nonprofit field with time as an executive director or in senior management; management experience leading an organization, with measurable results in hiring, mentoring, developing, and retaining staff; proven experience with financial management, fund accounting, and budgeting; demonstrated track record of generating revenue through major donors, corporations, and foundations for an organization, as a volunteer, consultant, or professional; proven success engaging, building, and supporting a nonprofit governing board at the national, regional, or local level; and a college degree (required). Applications and nominations will be accepted until Friday, January 18, 2013. Please email applications to Pat Lawson at plawson@sterlingandassociates.com.
  3. NEW! The Woods Project seeks Club Program Directors. The Woods Project is seeking part-time (approximately 6 hrs/wk) Club Program Instructors to teach one or more of our weekly afterschool club programs for the 2013 spring semester. The right candidate will be an outdoorsperson with experience working with high school youth, preferably some experience with at-risk youth. Some additional requirements are flexible weekly schedule, access to personal transportation, must be comfortable with camping/backpacking gear, enjoy being in a mentor/leadership role. Duties will include travelling to schools to teach an hour club, working with existing curriculum as well as developing new research-based lessons. Instructors must commit to the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year, attend one spring semester camping trip, and are highly encouraged to participate in the 2013 summer trip to places in Northern California or Montana. Ability to work independently and with confidence is a requirement of the job, as is the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. For more information about The Woods Project and the Club Program Instructor position, please visit www.thewoodsproject.org. Interested candidates should contact Brittany White, Director of Programs, at brittany@thewoodsproject.org.
  4. NEW! Hermann Park Conservancy seeks Marketing Manager. Hermann Park Conservancy is currently seeking a full-time marketing manager. The marketing manager will have primary responsibility for all external communications, marketing initiatives, the membership program, PR, and media and donor relations. The marketing manager will work closely with the executive director and staff, particularly in the development department. Hermann Park will reach its 100th birthday in 2014. In preparation for this milestone, the marketing manager will oversee a multifaceted marketing program, to include media and sponsorship initiatives, expansion of the membership program, the use of new web technologies, and promotion of happenings among various constituencies, including community partners, corporate sponsors, donors, members, and public officials. To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to info@hermannpark.org. Click here for more information.
  5. The Mercer Society seeks Executive Director. The Executive Director (ED) of The Mercer Society (TMS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is responsible for the operation and administration of the organization. The main mission of TMS is to raise funds for Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens. The ED’s main duties include ensuring that TMS is run in an efficient manner that meets the fiscal goals and overall objectives of the Board of Directors; processing all payments through fundraisers, events, and daily operations including the gift shop; updating TMS website and creating e-newsletters; facilitating fund-raising both independently and with others; managing the TMS staff in accordance with the TMS Employee Handbook; insuring compliance with all state and federal reporting obligations; being responsible for insuring TMS Bylaws, the Contract with Harris County and all policies and procedures are adhered to; serving as a spokesperson for TMS; and serving as liaison to the staff of Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens (MABG). To apply, send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to: The Mercer Society/Alan Raymond/msociety@hcp4.net.
  6. NEW! Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks Administrative Assistant. The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF), located in Webster, Texas, seeks a full-time Administrative and Database Assistant. The primary duties of this position include providing administrative assistance to GBF’s President; providing assistance to the development team, as needed, in the areas of membership, marketing, and general development; entering data into GBF’s database; and providing general administrative duties including greeting visitors to the GBF office, answering phone calls and transferring accordingly, ordering office supplies, and operating basic office equipment. Candidates should possess an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree or be currently enrolled in a college or university undergraduate or graduate program; have previous experience with data entry and/or database management; be proficient in use of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook and have proficient typing skills; and possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. This is a full-time position with benefits. For a full job description, please see http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.html. To apply, email resume to csmith@galvbay.org by Friday, January 11, 2013.
  7. NEW! Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership seeks Watershed Coordinator.
    The mission of the Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership is to “improve the quality of life in our communities by protecting, enhancing, and restoring the ecological integrity and natural benefits of the Armand Bayou watershed.”  The Watershed Coordinator is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Armand Bayou Watershed Partnership, including fundraising/grantwriting and business operations.  Areas of responsibility include planning and evaluation, policy and program development and administration, personnel and fiscal management, and public relations.  This is a full-time position, hired by and directly accountable to the Armand Bayou Watershed Council, communicating regularly with its elected Council chair. The Watershed Coordinator implements policies approved by the Council, manages the organization’s programs and operations (including implementation of its Strategic Plan), and represents the organization in the community. Click here for a full job description.
  8. 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
  9. 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.
  10. 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/.
  11. 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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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

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