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May 7, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update April 30, 2013

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Houston Environmental News Update April 30, 2013

CEC NOTES

  1. 2013 Resource Guide
  2. Mark Your Calendar: CEC’s Environmental Summit on February 13, 2014
  3. CEC website down; Too much information!
  4. Mark Your Calendar: Recycling Unconference, May 22, 2013

COALITION NOTES

  1. Urban Harvest Market – Now Open on Sundays
  2. Spring Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting
  3. Armand Bayou Water Quality Meetings
  4. Recycling Economic Impact Study Presentation
  5. Wildlife Response Training Workshop
  6. Anything That Floats 2013
  7. Basic Bird Watching for Beginners
  8. Launch of Houston History’s Spring Issue
  9. GCBO Birds and Bottomlands Blitz

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Gulf Coast Green Symposium and Expo
  2. Earth Church:  A Vision of Full World Spirituality
  3. Zumbathon, Green Expo & Health Fair
  4. Beautiful Birds! A Celebration of Bird Migration
  5. The City of Houston’s WaterWeek 2013
  6. RFP for Galveston County Parks to improve McAllis Point
  7. Mind on Water Symposium
  8. 16th Annual Texas Recycling and Sustainability Summit
  9. Brownfields Area-Wide (BF AWP) Planning Program
  10. 2013 Líder of the Year Nominations
  11. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  12. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Houston Neighborhoods Are Unique Study Case For Air Pollution (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News, 4/25/13)
  2. Houston’s Most Polluted Neighborhood Draws the Line at Alberta Tar Sands (Kristin Moe – YES! 4/22/13)
  3. What Some Students Did To Reduce The ‘Concrete Jungle’ On Earth Day (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News, 4/22/13)

GREEN JOBS

  1. NEW! The Galveston Bay Foundation seeks Wetland Permit Review Specialist
  2. NEW! Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Park Director
  3. NEW! Recipe for Success seeks Garden Educator Summer Interns
  4. Houston Wilderness seeks Event Planning Intern
  5. Houston Wilderness seeks Website and Social Media Intern
  6. Air Alliance Houston seeks Community Outreach Coordinator
  7. Texas Parks & Wildlife seeks Program Specialist I / Outdoor Diversity Specialist
  8. TWRC Wildlife Center seeks Wildlife Education Interns
  9. TWRC Wildlife Center seeks Junior Counselor Coordinator
  10. Bayou Preservation Association seeks Water Quality Investigator Interns (2 positions)
  11. Bayou Greenways 2020 seeks Grassroots and Digital Coordinator
  12. Nature Discovery Center Seeks Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator
  13. ExxonMobil CSJP seeks Hermann Park Centennial Exhibit Research Intern
  14. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks Summer Crew Leaders

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. 2103 Resource Guide. The CEC’s 2013 Environmental Resource Guide is now available online.This Environmental Resource Guide is designed as an environmental information resource for the citizens of the thirteen-county Houston region. People use the guide to find speakers for events, subject matter experts and media contacts, programs for teachers and children, environmental reporting hotlines, and much more.
  2. EarthShare Partners with H-E-B to Benefit CEC. CEC is pleased to announce that H-E-B, in recognition of Earth Day, has selected EarthShare of Texas to be the April beneficiary for its in-store coupon promotion. This means that customers can tear off and add check-out coupons worth $1, $3, or $5 to their total bill to support environmental work throughout the State of Texas for the entire month of April. Contributions made in the Houston area will be divided among EarthShare of Texas organizations with program work in the Houston region, including CEC and several of its member organizations. H-E-B supports many EarthShare of Texas organizations with corporate grants or in-kind contributions. The April tear-pad promotion is a bit different  as it enables H-E-B customers to bolster the diverse environmental program work of more than three dozen EarthShare of Texas’ organizations, including the CEC.  The customers’ dollars will go directly to these organizations, benefiting both the Texas environment and economy.  Throughout the month of April and into the first week of May, look for the EarthShare of Texas display and tear-off coupons at the check-out stands in any Texas H-E-B and Central Market stores.  Support EarthShare of Texas and the Texas environment!
  3. CEC website down; Too much information! Over the past week, our website (and email) has been periodically offline.  Because we have so much information we are sharing with folks, we’ve exceeded our bandwidth! Please bear with us as we resolve the problem with of hosting service.
  4. Mark Your Calendar: Recycling Unconference, May 22, 2013. Mark your calendars for the Recycling Unconference on May 22, 2013, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Geared towards property managers, attendees will learn how to improve or create a recycling program in your building, save money by managing waste streams, and move tenants to action and participation. Organized by the USGBC-Texas Gulf Coast, in partnership with the City of Houston, the Gulf Coast Recycling Council, and the CEC.

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COALITION NOTES

  1. Urban Harvest Market – Now Open on Sundays! Urban Harvest has opened a New Sunday Farmers Market at 3000 Richmond at Eastside Street (77098), the same venue for its Saturday market. The Sunday hours are noon to 4. Support Urban Harvest and find tasty, locally-produced fruits, vegetables, and farm products at their weekly Eastside Farmers Market.
  2. Spring Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting. The Spring Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting will take place on May 1, 2013, 4:30-6:30pm, at The Last Organic Outpost. Get a guided tour of the Last Organic Outpost, and meet people with similar interests! The last part of the meeting is the traditional EEE Round-table Forum where members and attendees introduce themselves, their programs, make announcements and discuss challenges and successes in environmental education. The refreshments are pot-luck….bring something to share with one another. But, don’t let the fact that it is pot-luck deter you from attending! The meeting will be held outdoors, so dress according to weather. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  3. Armand Bayou Water Quality Meetings. The Armand Bayou I-Plan Coordination Committee has been formed and has scheduled several workgroup meetings to discuss various aspects of water quality issues in the bayou. The public is encouraged to attend.  More information about the project is available at www.h-gac.com.
    1. Wildlife/Habitat/Agriculture/Feral Hogs. May 2 (1-2:30 pm) at EIH at the University of Houston Clear Lake.
    2. Wastewater Infrastructure/OSSF. May 2 (3-4:30 pm) at EIH at the University of Houston Clear Lake.
    3. Storm water/Industry/Land Development/MS4s. May 9 (1-2:30 pm) at EIH at the University of Houston Clear Lake.
    4. Education/Outreach/Recreation/Domestic Pets/Litter, Residential. May 9 (3-4:30 pm) at Clear Lake Forest Scout Hut, 10001 Baronridge Drive, 77586.
  4. Recycling Economic Impact Study Presentation. H-GAC’s Recycling Economic Impact Study Presentation of Results will happen on May 2, 2013, 9am-12pm, at Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A, 2nd floor. Did you know that the recycling industry is responsible for 10,259 jobs and over $3.4 billion in industrial output in the 13-county Houston-Galveston region? H-GAC recently commissioned a study to look at the economic impact of the recycling industry in the region, including the collection, processing, and end use of recycled materials; reuse and remanufacturing; and energy recovery/beneficial use. The study is now complete and results will be presented on Thursday, May 2, 2013. Join H-GAC to learn about the recycling industry as it is now, what it could be in the future for our region, and what this means to your community. This is a free event. Registration is required. For more information or to RSVP please contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525 or erin.livingston@h-gac.com.
  5. Wildlife Response Training Workshop. The Wildlife Center of Texas is conducting an oiled wildlife response training workshop on Friday, May 3, 2013 sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. The workshop takes place at The Wildlife Center of Texas and will certify and train personnel that are interested in assisting The Wildlife Center of Texas Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill. Certification and training are required for anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response. The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation’s role in the Incident Command System and an actual hands on cleaning of oiled feathers in which participants will practice by washing an unoiled white duck. There is no cost for the workshop but space is limited. Please register via email at WildlifeResponse@WildlifeCenterofTexas.org or by phone at 713-861-9453 x 170. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  6. Anything That Floats 2013. Rice Design Alliance is holding the Anything That Floats 2013 Competition on May 4, 2013 at 8am at Sesquicentennial Park along Buffalo Bayou. Anything That Floats challenges participants to build a device to float a short distance along Buffalo Bayou with discarded building materials provided the day-of by RDA. The competition is open to all! You don’t have to be a designer. This year will be derby-themed, so if you’re coming to watch wear your best derby gear. As a team member, you may also participate this year in a jockey costume contest for extra points! Learn more and register at http://ricedesignalliance.org/.
  7. Basic Bird Watching for Beginners. Basic Bird Watching for Beginners at Willow Waterhole will be held on Saturday May 4, 2013. It will be conducted by one of the Audubon Society’s best Willow Waterhole experts. The tour will begin at 8 AM from the parking lot of the Gathering Place 5310 South Willow 77035. Willow Waterhole has become one of Houston’s best bird watching venues because the three existing lakes with their islands provide extensive shorelines bordered by wetlands that contain habitat for shore, wading and diving birds. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  8. Launch of Houston History’s Spring Issue. Houston History invites you to the launch of its spring issue on May 6, 2013 at The Houston Garden Center, Hermann Park from 5:30-7:00pm. Houston History examines the region’s environmental activism, including the efforts of Terry Hershey and local organizations to conserve our natural habitats; the features of Galveston Bay that make it a life blood of our region; Spring Creek Greenway, the nation’s longest urban forested greenway; and TEJAS, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, that holds government and business accountable for a cleaner environment. RSVP to dzharwell@uh.edu or call 713-743-3123. Review spring issue articles at www.houstonhistorymagazine.org. More about the event at http://cechouston.org/.
  9. GCBO Birds and Bottomlands Blitz. Wildflowers of the Prairie and Bottomlands; leader is Flo Hannah Flo is a native plant expert, is the proprietor of Hannah Native Grasses and is a die-hard advocate protecting our native coastal prairies. She is also the Urban Sanctuaries Manager for Houston Audubon Society. Learn from the expert to identify native flowers that will still be in bloom, some lasting all summer and into fall. The importance of the plants and grasses in the Bottomlands ecosystem will become obvious. May 11, 2013, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the GCBO. More information is available at www.gcbo.org.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Gulf Coast Green Symposium and Expo. This year the symposium will again be a jam-packed single day focused on sustainable strategies for building reuse and renovations. GCG 2013 offers an intimate, fully integrated professional expo featuring certified green building products, materials and service providers. This collaborative effort will raise the bar for professional interaction leading to improving performance across all the metrics that matter in the region’s built environment. The conference will be held on May 2, 2013 at the Julia Ideson Building of the Houston Public Library. More at https://aiahouston.org/.
  2. Earth Church:  A Vision of Full World Spirituality. On Thursday, May 2, 2013, Jim Blackburn will be making a presentation at the Rothko Chapel at 7:00 p.m. titled “Earth Church:  A Vision of Full World Spirituality”.   You and your friends are invited and welcome. If you wish to come, it is recommended that you sign up and reserve a spot so that they get some idea of how many people may come, although you are welcome to drop in at the last minute.  To find out about the presentation and to RSVP, visit the Rothko Chapel: http://www.rothkochapel.org/.   There is an RSVP link to register for the program.
  3. Zumbathon, Green Expo & Health Fair. Lantrip Elementary, Jackson Middle School and Austin High School GreenSchools! in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas – Latino Legacy and many others, will host a Zumbathon to support area students in creating a more healthy Houston through campus and community greening projects. The “Let’s Zumba Outside for GreenSchools!” event will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013, from 9 am -1 pm at Stephen F. Austin High School, located at 1700 Dumble, Houston TX. Primary components of the event will center upon getting children and their families outside, campus and community greening, site planning for outdoor spaces, and promoting the important connections between health and nature. Bring a bag of clothes to enter into a CASH prize drawing. Tickets are $10 Adult and $5 student. More at http://www.friendsnfgt.org/.
  4. Beautiful Birds! A Celebration of Bird Migration. Celebrate bird migration with Kleb Woods Nature Center on May 4, 2013 (10am-4pm). There will be many presentations by bird experts throughout the day as well as bird walks and kids activities. Admission is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own refreshments as drinks and snacks will not be sold. For more information, call 281-357-5324 and view the flyer.
  5. The City of Houston’s WaterWeek 2013. The City of Houston’s Department of Public Works & Engineering is once again sponsoring a week-long celebration of water at the WaterWorks Education Center. Discover the wonders of water during five exciting, interactive and inspiring days. The City of Houston’s WaterWeek 2013 encourages our citizens–and especially our school-aged students–to take an active role to use water wisely and protect our water resources. WaterWeek 2013 will be held from April 29 – May 3, 2013 (9:30am-1:00pm) at the WaterWorks Education Center. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  6. RFP for Galveston County Parks to improve McAllis Point. Galveston County Parks Department is accepting proposals to develop a conservation plan for McAllis Point. A non-mandatory pre-proposal conference will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Galveston County Parks Administration Office, (Carbide Park), located at 4102Main Street (FM 519), LaMarque, Texas 77568. The property was conserved over the last decade in large part due to efforts of environmental groups such as the Trust for Public land and many other partners. More information about McAllis Point is availble at www.tpl.org. More information about the project is available at www.galvestondailynews.com. Conservation organizations are encouraged to apply.
  7. Mind on Water Symposium. St. Catherine’s Montessori is proud to present the 2013 Symposium “Mind On Water,” bringing our community a wealth of knowledge about water-related issues. Our Adolescent Community will be presenting topics that affect not just the local Houston area, but also locations all over the globe. This event has a lot to offer to families, students, and environmentalists of all ages, featuring a panel of experts discussing current issues, individual student presentations and interactive activities. More information about the May 15, 2013, event is available at http://www.stcathmonth2o.blogspot.com/.
  8. 16th Annual Texas Recycling and Sustainability Summit. 16th Annual Texas Recycling and Sustainability Summit will take place October 13-16, 2013 at the Houston Hyatt Regency. The theme is “Implementation Methods and Best Practices: Your People. Your Program. Your Story.” Registration for this year’s exhibit hall is now open – and is 25% full already, so get your registration form in quick! Contact the STAR office know if you have any questions by calling 512-828-6409 or emailing info@recyclingstar.org. More at http://www.recyclingstar.org/summit.
  9. Brownfields Area-Wide (BF AWP) Planning Program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award approximately $4 million in grants to 20 communities across the country to assist with planning for cleanup and reuse of Brownfields properties. This funding is part of the Brownfields Area-Wide (BF AWP) Planning program, which aims to promote community revitalization by using cleanups to stimulate local economies and protect people’s health and the environment. EPA’s Brownfields program encourages the redevelopment of abandoned and potentially contaminated waste sites across the country. Learn more at http://yosemite.epa.gov/.
  10. 2013 Líder of the Year Nominations. MillerCoors is calling for nominations of emerging Latino leaders, who are involved with 501c3 nonprofits, to become 2013 Líder of the Year. The nominee should be actively participating in initiatives that involve education, leadership development, environmental stewardship, economic development, alcohol responsibility or mentoring within their nonprofit. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Carmen Marsans at 703-807-0500. Please place your nomination by visiting www.MillerCoorsLideres.com and clicking on the “Nomination Form” link. The deadline for nominations is May 24, 2013.
  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:
    • The Gulf Wardens
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Wildland Fire Team
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Gibson Ranches
    • I Love a Mystery – Kids at Texas A&M’s SeaCamp
  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.
    • April 30: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • May 1: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • May 2: Green–Good. Moderate winds and decreasing background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.

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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 Neighborhoods Are Unique Study Case For Air Pollution (Laurie Johnson – KUHF News, 4/25/13) A team from Rice University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas Health Science Center will drive around in a mobile lab and measure particulate matter in neighborhoods all over Houston for the next two years. Particulate matter is really tiny — less than 2.5 millionths of a meter in diameter. The tiny bits of pollution can end up in your lungs and bloodstream and cause health issues, including asthma and heart problems.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/
  2. Houston’s Most Polluted Neighborhood Draws the Line at Alberta Tar Sands (Kristin Moe – YES! 4/22/13) If the Keystone XL pipeline is approved, 90 percent of the tar sands crude that flows through it will be processed near an embattled Houston neighborhood called Manchester. Manchester, one of Houston’s oldest neighborhoods, is surrounded by industry on all sides: a Rhodia chemical plant; a car crushing facility; a water treatment plant; a train yard for hazardous cargo; a Goodyear synthetic rubber plant; oil refineries belonging to Lyondell Basell, Valero, and Texas Petro-Chemicals; as well as one of the busiest highways in the city.
    http://www.yesmagazine.org/
  3. What Some Students Did To Reduce The ‘Concrete Jungle’ On Earth Day (Pat Hernandez – KUHF News, 4/22/13)
    In honor of Earth Day, Trees for Houston helps students plant trees on the campus of Texas Southern University. The ceremony not only reduces the campus’ concrete jungle, but helps to beautify the earth by cleaning the air and producing oxygen.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/

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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.New

  1. NEW! The Galveston Bay Foundation seeks Wetland Permit Review Specialist. The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) in Webster, TX, seeks a part-time (10-15 hrs/wk) Wetland Permit Review Specialist. The Wetland Permit Review Specialist works under the supervision of GBF’s Director of Advocacy and in coordination with GBF’s Wetland Permit Review (WPR) committee and state and federal agency staff to encourage the proper use, development, improvement, and protection of the Galveston Bay estuarine system and its tributaries by reviewing, evaluating, and developing comments on projects proposed through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ public notice system. For a full list of duties and qualifications, please see http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.html. To apply, please email resumes to sjones@galvbay.org by May 28, 2013.
  2. NEW! Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Park Director. Buffalo Bayou Park’s Park Director will report to the BBP President and will be responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and overseeing day-to-day maintenance, operations and limited programming. Additional responsibilities will include coordination with other BBP staff in the areas of accounting, public relations and events. The Park Director also will be responsible for administrative duties, including short and long-term planning, annual budgets, purchasing procedures, contract negotiations (with the President), and reporting procedures for park maintenance and operations functions. Besides reporting regularly to the BBP President, the Park Director will interact extensively with the BBP Board, HPARD and other city departments, Downtown TIRZ #3, park users, park advocacy groups, volunteers and outside vendors. A Park Standards Committee will meet regularly to review maintenance and operations activities and annual costs. The Park Director will be involved in annual budget negotiations with Downtown TIRZ #3. Buffalo Bayou Park and related BBP staff will be small and entrepreneurial. The Park Director will oversee the work of 12 or more full-time staff plus several more part-time and seasonal crews. The staff will build over time as improved areas of the park reopen. The park will be fully staffed by early 2015. More information is available at www.buffalobayou.org.
  3. NEW! Recipe for Success seeks Garden Educator Summer Interns. Recipe for Success is looking for two Garden Educator Summer Interns. The candidate will be knowledgeable and experienced in the various realms of urban agriculture, school and community garden programs, organic horticulture, food systems and youth education. For more information, visit http://recipe4success.org/get-involved/internships.html or contact Justin Myers at Justin@Recipe4Success.org.
  4. Houston Wilderness seeks Event Planning Intern. Houston Wilderness seeks an energetic and creative individual to assist with the planning and implementation of a Houston Wilderness summer environmental adventure challenge and fundraising event. The event will highlight the Wilderness Passport which features regional parks, preserves, and nature centers in the 10 major ecoregions surrounding Houston and provide an action event for interested donors and their families. The Event Planning Intern will be able to list development and completion of the project on their resume. The Event Planning Intern will assist in planning, implementing, and promoting the event. Responsibilities include: working within event timeline; assisting with designing digital invitations; managing multiple lists of donors, supporters, and invitees; working with proprietary information; interfacing with staff, Houston Wilderness board members and participants; promoting summer event through various written and social media outlets; and managing event set up and breakdown. To apply, email a resume, cover letter, writing sample (no longer than one page, double-spaced), and three references to holly@houstonwilderness.org.
  5. Houston Wilderness seeks Website and Social Media Intern. Houston Wilderness seeks an energetic, tech savvy, creative individual to coordinate website and social media to support regional conservation efforts. Houston Wilderness is embarking on two different website development projects – one involving its existing website and one involving a dynamic, multi-partner website with key environmental organizations around the Houston region. Working on these website projects will provide an intern with an opportunity to work on challenging web design and function as well as become involved at the ground floor with the new Get Outdoors Houston! Initiative. The intern will also have an opportunity to network with partner organizations, such as Texas Parks & Wildlife Service, Cornell lab of Ornithology, the Houston Zoo, Houston Audubon, Katy Prairie Conservancy, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Website and Social Media Intern will create and distribute digital media and content through a variety of channels to engage diverse audiences. To apply, email a resume, cover letter, writing sample (no longer than one page-double spaced), and three references to holly@houstonwilderness.org.
  6. Air Alliance Houston seeks Community Outreach Coordinator. Air Alliance Houston is the Houston region’s leading environmental health and air quality nonprofit. The Community Outreach Coordinator will work independently and in conjunction with Air Alliance staff on ongoing programs and new initiatives. The existing programs require skillful program management, attendance at stakeholder and community meetings, support of educational and outreach activities, leading community based participatory research initiatives such as community air monitoring, public speaking, written advocacy, and grassroots organizing. New initiatives will require the Community Outreach Coordinator to identify a community’s health and environmental issues, raise awareness about them within the community and beyond, and develop strategies to address them. The Community Outreach Coordinator will also be expected to assist Air Alliance staff with major program events and ably represent the organization at other public functions, events, and meetings. This position will encompass a broad range of issues including public health, quality of life, community relations, grassroots outreach, education, written and oral advocacy, organizing, public policy, and fundraising. An ideal candidate will have a record of success working with diverse stakeholders including community members, local business and industry, academic partners, regulatory agencies, government and elected officials, and the media. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Interested applicants should send complete resume and cover letter to hiring@airalliancehouston.org. View the full job posting here: http://airalliancehouston.org/.
  7. Texas Parks & Wildlife seeks Program Specialist I / Outdoor Diversity Specialist. Based at Sheldon Lake State Park, Houston, TX. Responsibilities include: Under the direction of the Outdoor Education and Outreach Coordinator for Texas State Parks, this position serves as lead instructor for overnight camping workshops, and outdoor activity program delivery to promote the use of State Parks to non-traditional visitors. Responsible for organizing, conducting and evaluating Texas Outdoor Family workshops within the Houston-area State Parks. Serves as a community liaison between State Parks and Houston-area organizations. Develops relationships with community partners who serve diverse audiences, conduct outdoor leadership trainings to prepare group leaders and volunteers to lead overnight camping and outdoor education experiences. View the full details of the position and learn how to apply at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/tpwd/.
  8. TWRC Wildlife Center seeks Wildlife Education Interns. The Wildlife Education interns will assist with Summer Wildlife Camp, conduct outreach and on-site education programming, assist in the Baby Bird Feeding Program and work with other TWRC Wildlife Center interns on a Summer Internship Action Team to develop and analyze education programming, complete individual service projects and address challenges presented by the Education Coordinator. Please go to http://twrcwildlifecenter.org/ to read the full description and find out how to apply.
  9. TWRC Wildlife Center seeks Junior Counselor Coordinator. TWRC Wildlife Center is seeking a Junior Counselor Coordinator for its Summer Wildlife Camp. The paid intern will recruit, train, schedule, and supervise teenage summer camp counselors in education animal care, wildlife summer camps, birthday parties, outreach programs, summer wildlife workshops, and in-center baby bird rehabilitation. The Junior Counselor Coordinator will implement, analyze and improve the Junior Counselor program while working hands-on with native and exotic wildlife. As a vital team member of an active non-profit, the Junior Counselor Coordinator will be called upon to develop and coordinate marketing, fundraising, or community awareness materials and events in relation to the new Junior Counselor Program. Please go to http://twrcwildlifecenter.org/ to read the full description and find out how to apply.
  10. Bayou Preservation Association seeks Water Quality Investigator Interns (2 positions). The interns will serve as a member of a team to conduct investigative water sampling in Houston-area bayous upstream of locations with identified high fecal indicator bacteria. For more information see: http://www.bayoupreservation.org/employment. Contact: Steve Hupp, Water Quality Director;  shupp@bayoupreservation.org;  713-529-6443.
  11. Bayou Greenways 2020 seeks Grassroots and Digital Coordinator. The Bayou Greenways 2020 (BG2020) project aims to create a united urban park system like no other in the nation. By developing linear parks and trails along all the major bayous that flow throughout Houston, BG2020 will add nearly 1,500 acres of additional park land to Houston’s inventory. The Grassroots and Digital Coordinator will be responsible for developing online and web strategies, creating and executing email campaigns, maintaining and managing multiple websites, and organizing and coordinating online and offline community outreach and grassroots outreach efforts. Responsibilities also include managing the organization’s relationship with online community influencers, including reaching out to external blogs and online communities. To Apply: Cover letter, resume and three references should be emailed to: Jen Powis, Advocacy Director at jen@houstonparksboard.org.
  12. Nature Discovery Center Seeks Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator. The Nature Discovery Center is seeking a part-time Volunteer Coordinator to manage all areas related to volunteer work at the Center. The ideal candidate will be adept at working with a variety of personalities and styles, technologically savvy, and goal-oriented. Additional requirements include sense of humor and love of nature. A background in science, education, or conservation is helpful though not required. Responsibilities include: recruit, interview and place applicants for volunteer work at the Nature Discovery Center; conduct and arrange volunteer orientation and training, including the Teen Volunteer Summer Program and most special events; create and maintain a volunteer database and a system for reporting volunteer statistics; and coordinate all volunteer activity with staff. For more information about the Volunteer Coordinator position, or to apply contact: Sarah Flournoy, Executive Director at sflournoy@naturediscoverycenter.org or 713.667.6550.
  13. ExxonMobil CSJP seeks Hermann Park Centennial Exhibit Research Intern. The intern will participate in research and administrative work in preparation for the upcoming exhibition to be held at the Julia Ideson Library related to Hermann Park’s centennial celebration in 2014. Primary responsibilities include carrying out research related to Hermann Park, including historical materials, publications, documents, photographs, master plan(s), sketches, artworks, etc.; archiving, cataloguing and chronology; correspondence and communications (writing letters, e-mails, phone contacts, etc.); organizing and filing of documents and research materials; maintaining database of objects and materials; preparing exhibition materials’ bibliography including materials, sources, references; and report writing. Mail, fax or email (no phone calls please) cover letter and resume to: Hermann Park Conservancy / Barbara Jo L. Harwell, Conservation Director / 6201-A Hermann Park Drive / Houston, Texas 77030. Fax: 713-524-5887. barbara_jo@hermannpark.org
  14. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks Summer Crew Leaders. SCA seeks two qualified applicants to lead, educate, and inspire high school students for the Houston Summer Crew program. Co-lead, mentor and coach a crew of 12 students, ages 14-19, while completing various conservation service projects designed to build an ethic of community and environmental stewardship. Projects include a range of activities such as trail and park maintenance, habitat restoration, revitalization of abandoned urban properties or to urban agriculture. In addition, leaders will facilitate pre- and post- program planning which includes crew training, environmental education and reporting. Training is June 3-12 and program start date is June 20. To Apply: Please visit the www.thesca.org/employment for a detailed description including information on how to apply. For questions contact SCA Houston staff at SCAHouston@theSCA.org or call: (713) 520-1835.

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Texas Capitol StarCEC is sharing information during the session about what bills our member groups and readers are tracking. More information is available at cechouston.org/category/texas-legislature/.

The last day to file most bills was March 8, 2013. April 15, 2013, was first day a Senator might place five bills or resolutions on the Intent Calendar. The last day of the regular session is Monday, May 27, 2013. Learn more at www.legis.state.tx.us.

Let us know what you think about the senate bills that have been filed! Take a quick survey to let us know which senate bills are important to you–and why! We’ll let you know what our readers think. Click here to take survey.

Other websites with updates on environmental legislation:

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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.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Friday, May 3, 2013

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Sunday, May 5, 2013

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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 coalition 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.

Rachel Powers, Executive Director
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
Rachel Tardiff, Calendar Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org

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