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May 28, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update May 28, 2013

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Houston Environmental News Update May 28, 2013

CEC NOTES

  1. No newsletter June 12, 2013
  2. Share the CEC Newsletter

COALITION NOTES

  1. GBF Bay Day Festival
  2. National Trails Day
    • Bayou Land Conservancy Celebration
    • Jones Park National Trails Day Creek Bash
    • Nurture Nature Series: “TreadLightly!”
  3. HPB Bayou Bike Tour
  4. ‘Respecting and Restoring our Bayous’ with Dave Rosgen
  5. Clean Fleet Technologies Conference
  6. Wildlife Center of Texas Volunteer Training
  7. KPC Wild West Tour: Breeding Birds
  8. March of the Penguins: Willow Water Hole Greenspace Conservancy Dinner and Movie Event
  9. 2013 Original Classroom Series: Headwaters to Baywaters
  10. RDA’s Anything that Floats Rescheduled to June 22
  11. Texas Master Naturalist Fall 2013 Training Session
  12. Urban Harvest Welcomes New Executive Director
  13. 2013 AIChE Southwest Process Technology Conference

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Free Family Fishing Day Event at Trinity River Refuge
  2. Electronics Recycling
  3. Public Input Session: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Econom
  4. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  5. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Sketching the Growth of the Hermann Park Garden Center (Swamplot, 5/14/2013)
  2. Motorists to share pollution bill with industry (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 5/23/2013)
  3. Nature to keep green school running (Nancy Sarnoff – Houston Chronicle, 5/23/2013)

GREEN JOBS

  1. NEW! Sierra Club seeks Community Organizer
  2. NEW! Matagorda County seeks Extension Agent – Coastal and Marine Resources
  3. NEW! H-GAC seeks Senior Environmental Planner, Water Quality
  4. NEW! H-GAC seeks Environmental Planner, Water Quality
  5. NEW!  H-GAC seeks Environmental Planner, Water Quality Monitoring
  6. NEW! H-GAC seeks Senior Air Quality Planner
  7. NEW! The City of Houston seeks Administration Manager (Environmental)
  8. Galveston Bay Foundation seeks Volunteer Water Quality Summer Intern
  9. HARC seeks Intern for Website Content Development and Social Media Integration
  10. Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator
  11. Hermann Park Conservancy is currently seeking a full-time office manager/bookkeeper
  12. Recipe for Success seeks Garden Educator Summer Interns
  13. Houston Wilderness seeks Event Planning Intern
  14. Houston Wilderness seeks Website and Social Media Intern
  15. Texas Parks & Wildlife seeks Program Specialist I / Outdoor Diversity Specialist
  16. TWRC Wildlife Center seeks Wildlife Education Interns
  17. TWRC Wildlife Center seeks Junior Counselor Coordinator
  18. Bayou Greenways 2020 seeks Grassroots and Digital Coordinator
  19. Nature Discovery Center Seeks Part-Time Volunteer Coordinator
  20. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) seeks Summer Crew Leaders

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. No newsletter June 12, 2013. Each year, the newsletter takes a short break for one week in June. This year, we plan to be out enjoying our environment instead of sending out the newsletter on June 11, 2013.
  2. Share the CEC Newsletter. When was the last time you checked with your friends or co-workers to see if they know about the CEC’s weekly newsletter? Please consider asking your colleagues and friends to learn more about the newsletter and possibly sign up. Even better, use the buttons at the top right of this email to share this newsletter by email, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. We’d appreciate it!

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COALITION NOTES

  1. GBF Bay Day Festival. Join the Galveston Bay Foundation for this free family event that allows attendees to experience and learn more aboutGalveston Bay, the largest bay in Texas and one of the most productive estuaries in the country! Bay Day highlights include hands-on, interactive exhibits, activities and demonstrations that emphasize the beauty and value of Galveston Bay. Saturday, June 1, 2013, 11 am – 4 pm, Kemah Boardwalk. More information available on the GBF website.
  2. National Trails Day. Celebrate National Trails Day on June 1, 2013! There will be thousands of events around the country including hikes, biking and horseback rides, paddling trips, birdwatching, geocaching, gear demonstrations, stewardship projects and more. Learn more about National Trails Day at http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/.
    • Bayou Land Conservancy Celebration. Celebrate with Bayou Land Conservancy and GHORBA at the new 100-Acre Wood Preserve. The event will take place on June 1, 2013 from 9-11:30am. Bring your family, friends and neighbors to introduce yourself to, and work on this new two-mile trail system that is free and open to the public! RSVP required at 281-576-1634 or info@bayouland.org.
    • Jones Park National Trails Day Creek Bash. Join volunteers and staff to clean up the paddle trail along Spring Creek at Jones Park. All ages are welcome to assist with the clean-up effort, and those ages 16 and older may canoe the creek to remove debris. Reservations are required and can be made beginning Wednesday, May 22. Contact is Mark Seegers at 713-755-6444/713-816-3132 or mseegers@hcp4.net. The event will take place on June 1, 2013 at 9am.
    • Nurture Nature Series: “TreadLightly!” To celebrate National Trails Day on June 1, 2013, the Baytown Nature Center presents “TreadLightly” as the topic of its monthly Nurture Nature Series. TreadLightly! and its partnters lead a national initiative to protect and enhance recreation access and opportunities by promoting outdoor ethics to heighten individuals’ sense of good stewardship. BNC Naturalist, Crissy Butcher, will talk about responsible use of recreational trails using the TreadLightly principles of ethical use of the outdoors. A guided trail walk follows to practice what is learned. The event will take place from 10am-noon at the Baytown Nature Center. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 & under.
  3. HPB Bayou Bike Tour. Join the Houston Parks Board for a Bayou Bike Tour on June 1, 2013. Beginning at Market Square, a board member from the Houston Parks Board will lead a tour that loops along Buffalo Bayou to Shepherd. During the ride, attendees will discuss HPB’s signature project, Bayou Greenways 2020–the project to unite all of Houston’s bayous with parks and trails. They will also discuss how the bond vote was the first step in completing the project and where the first dollars will likely be spent. This family-friendly ride will try and beat the heat by meeting at 8 a.m. at Market Square downtown. The ride will last approximately 2 hours. Remember to RSVP, wear a helmet and bring water! More at http://cechouston.org/.
  4. ‘Respecting and Restoring our Bayous’ with Dave Rosgen. Bayou Preservation Association is sponsoring a lecture by Dr. Dave Rosgen, an expert on Natural Channel Design (NCD). Dr. Rosgen will speak on the destructive impacts of urbanization on waterways, discuss how Natural Channel Design methods can be applied for channel restoration, and present specific examples of urbanization impacts on Buffalo Bayou. Dr. Rosgen has been providing design reviews for the Memorial Park Demonstration Project on Buffalo Bayou. The demonstration project applies Natural Channel Design methods for restoration of Buffalo Bayou through a portion of Memorial Park. The project demonstrates the application of NCD methods to restore the channel banks from urbanization impacts, and stabilizing the most at-risk parts of our bayous. The presentation will take place at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in the Caroline Wiess Law Building in the Brown Auditorium (1001 Bissonnet St) on June 3, 2013 at 7pm. This is a free event & no reservations are required.
  5. Clean Fleet Technologies Conference. The Clean Fleet Technologies Conference is a great way to learn, listen, and discover opportunities for alternative fuels, clean vehicle technologies, and efficiency improvements. Speakers, exhibitors, and vehicle displays will highlight the latest technologies and funding for cleaner on- and off- road fleets! The Houston region can benefit from the economic, energy security, and environmental impacts of alternative fuels. Join Houston-Galveston Area Council at the ballpark to find the best tools and fuels for your vehicles and equipment. The Keynote Speaker is Dan Frakes, Manager of Advanced Technology and Vehicle Fuels Policy at General Motors. The conference will be held on June 5, 2013, at Constellation Field (1 Stadium Dr). Registration is $50 until June 5, when it will be $60. More at http://www.h-gac.com/.
  6. Wildlife Center of Texas Volunteer Training. The Wildlife Center depends on compassionate, caring volunteers to help care for native wildlife. They are always looking for new volunteers to help further their mission. Volunteer orientations are held the second Saturday of every month, January-September, from 10-11:30am. The next training will take place on June 8, 2013. Register at http://www.wildlifecenteroftexas.org/.
  7. KPC Wild West Tour: Breeding Birds. Beat the heat this summer and join bird expert, Glenn Olsen, for a twilight tour of the prairie. Visit wetlands, woods, and wild grasslands in search of breeding birds and feathery fledglings. A light dinner will be included with this special trip onto KPC preserves. Wild West Tours are designed for adult learners. This class is $50 per person with dinner included. The Breeding Birds Tour will take place on June 8, 2013, from 6-9 pm at Katy Prairie Conservancy’s Indiangrass Preserve. Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/.
  8. March of the Penguins: Willow Water Hole Greenspace Conservancy Dinner and Movie Event. Join Willow Water Hole Greenspace Conservancy for a family dinner and movie event on June 8, 2013, from 6:30-9:30 pm at the South Gazebo at Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve (5300 Dryad Drive). The movie that will be showing is ‘March of the Penguins.’ Tejano Salsa will be providing mouth watering tamales and other goodies. Bring blankets and chairs! More at http://cechouston.org/.
  9. 2013 Original Classroom Series: Headwaters to Baywaters. This summer Environmental Educators Exchange and Get Outdoors Houston! will be offering classes for educators (formal, informal, volunteers, homeschool, etc.) in the best classroom of all – the Great Outdoors! Week one of the classroom series begins on June 17, 2013. Classes include Katy Prairie Alive! (June 17), You and the Bayou (June 19), and Gateway to the Bay (June 21). Each class during this week will be held from 9am-2pm. You can register for individual classes ($35) or the whole week ($90) at a discounted rate. Continuing education credits available. Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/. Also, get ready for the second week of the series, which begins July 21, 2013.
  10. RDA’s Anything that Floats Rescheduled to June 22. The Rice Design Alliance’s Anything That Floats competition has been rescheduled for Saturday June 22nd! There is still time to put a team together and submit your registration form!  Click here to sign up. The competition challenges participants to build a floating device to float a short distance along Buffalo Bayou using discarded building materials provided the day-of by RDA. More info on the RDA website.
  11. Texas Master Naturalist Fall 2013 Training Session. Become a Certified Texas Master Naturalist! The Texas Master Naturalist Fall 2013 Training Session begins on August 17, 2013, and runs through October 30, 2013. Classes are on Tuesday evenings and field trips are on Saturdays. For more details, email training.officer@txgcmn.org.
  12. Urban Harvest Welcomes New Executive Director. Sandra Wicoff has been named executive director of Urban Harvest, a Houston nonprofit organization. Wicoff had been executive director of The River, another nonprofit, from 2005 to 2012, and she then took over as assistant director of education with Theatre Under the Stars when the two organizations merged. “Wicoff is a strong supporter of the movement to provide access to healthy food for everyone and believes passionately in the Urban Harvest mission and its programs,” the nonprofit’s board of directors said in a statement. “In her new role at Urban Harvest, Wicoff will serve as ambassador for the organization as it continues to move forward with its strategic plan to maintain and create new partnerships that will support the organization’s mission.” Read more at http://www.bizjournals.com/.
  13. 2013 AIChE Southwest Process Technology Conference. Registration is now open for the 2013 AIChE Southwest Process Technology Conference, which will take place October 3-4, 2013 at Moody Gardens in Galveston. The conference will provide technical sessions, industry solutions in process technology, and networking opportunities. Register at http://www.aiche.org/conferences/.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Free Family Fishing Day Event at Trinity River Refuge. Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge along with the Friends of Trinity River Refuge will be hosting the annual “Free Family Fishing Day” on Saturday, June 1, 2013, from 9-11am at the Champion Lake Public Use Area. It is the one day in the state of Texas that anyone can fish or crab without a license on public waters. Fishing poles and bait will be available for those who need it along with experienced fishermen who can help children with baiting hooks and casting techniques. All ages are invited to this free event. For more information, visit http://cechouston.org/ or contact Stuart Marcus, Refuge Manager, at 936-336-9786.
  2. Electronics 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 at the Kingwood Metro Park & Ride lot. The next event will be on June 1, 2013, from 9am-3pm. Visit http://cechouston.org/ for a list of accepted items.
  3. Public Input Session: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council released the Draft Initial Comprehensive Plan: Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy and accompanying Draft Environmental Assessment for formal public comment. The Draft Plan provides a framework to implement a coordinated region-wide restoration effort in a way that restores, protects, and revitalizes the Gulf Coast region following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Draft Plan establishes overarching restoration goals for the Gulf Coast region; provides details about how the Council will solicit, evaluate, and fund projects and programs for ecosystem restoration in the Gulf Coast region; outlines the process for the development, review, and approval of State Expenditure Plans; and highlights the Council’s next steps. In order to ensure robust public input throughout the entire process, the Council is hosting a series of public engagement sessions in each of the five impacted Gulf States in June to give the public the opportunity to provide input on the Draft Plan and the Council’s restoration planning efforts. The 30-day formal public comment period for the Draft Plan and associated documents began May 23 and ends June 24. There will be a public input session on June 10, 2013, 6-8pm, at Texas A&M University, Galveston, Bldg 3007. Learn more at http://www.tceq.texas.gov/.
  4. 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).
    • Hunting Dogs 101
    • Davis Mountains State Park
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Double H Ranch
    • Crazy About Birds
  5. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • May 28: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • May 29: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • May 30: Green–Good. Moderate winds 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. Sketching the Growth of the Hermann Park Garden Center (Swamplot, 5/14/2013)
    Chicago landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt has presented drawings that show the future growth of the Hermann Park Garden Center when it turns 100 next year. The current 15-acre Garden Center will undergo numerous changes including a new entrance and “arid garden”.
    http://swamplot.com/
  2. Motorists to share pollution bill with industry (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 5/23/2013)
    Motorists will share the bill with chemical plants and oil refineries for the Houston region’s failure to meet 1970s limits on smog-forming pollution under a plan approved Wednesday by Texas environmental regulators. TCEQ would use funds already collected from vehicle fees and sales taxes to help satisfy the eight-county region’s obligations under the federal Clean Air Act.
    http://www.houstonchronicle.com/
  3. Nature to keep green school running (Nancy Sarnoff – Houston Chronicle, 5/23/2013)
    On its 11-acre campus in Spring Branch, the Monarch School has started construction on a 1,120-square-foot standalone classroom designed to get its power from the sun and wind; its heat and cool air from the earth; andwater to nourish its vegetable garden from harvested rain. The small building, which is expected to cost more than $400,000, will serve as an environmental laboratory, with students controlling its daily energy use.
    http://www.pressdisplay.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.New

  1. NEW! Sierra Club seeks Community Organizer. Sierra Club is looking to hire an experienced community organizer based in Austin, TX to help  increase its grassroots power in the region. As a part of the history-making Beyond Coal campaign, s/he will help broaden the coalition to promote renewable energy and move beyond dirty, coal-fired power. This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual looking to enhanced his/her organizing skills and join a powerful, national team. For full details and to apply, please visit: https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH15/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SIERRACLUB&cws=1&rid=277
  2. NEW! Matagorda County seeks Extension Agent – Coastal and Marine Resources. The Matagorda County Extension Agent-CMR (CEA-CMR) will work with communities in Matagorda County, Texas, to help them chart a sustainable and resilient path to the future. Matagorda County is subject to damaging tropical storms, including hurricanes. Coastal communities have suffered economically as shrimp and fishing outfits have reduced their fleets in response to lower prices and higher costs. Recreational fishing is a vibrant area, and an excellent natural resource base provides for outstanding hunting and farming. Community vitality and character are major concerns in this county. Matagorda County is not in the immediate growth path of Houston, but future growth, or the lack of it, is a major community concern. The CEA-CMR will be expected to work with communities in Matagorda County by engaging a wide range of university resources in their behalf. The Matagorda CEA-CMR provides leadership for an effective educational program that supports coastal communities, local natural resources, and coastal and marine industries. Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating an effective outcome-based program that supports identified issues in Matagorda County; responsible for effectively reporting, marketing, and interpreting results of programming efforts. Develops and works with stakeholder-based committees that provide direction for Extension programs. Works with industry and community based organizations to effectively link Extension and coastal marine resources to the community. Understands job responsibilities associated with the position. Send resume and cover letter to John Jacob, jjacob@tamu.edu.
  3. NEW! H-GAC seeks Senior Environmental Planner, Water Quality. Responsible for facilitating stakeholder groups and developing water quality implementation plans throughout the H-GAC region.  Will also take a lead role in working with wastewater and storm water permitees to develop effective programs to reduce water pollution.  Reports to Water Resources Program Manager of Community & Environmental Planning Department (C&E). Read more at www.h-gac.com/careers/.
  4. NEW! H-GAC seeks Environmental Planner, Water Quality. Responsible for supporting, planning, and policy development initiatives for various watersheds in the 13-county H-GAC Region.  Reports to Water Resources Program Manager of Community & Environmental Planning Department (C&E). Read more at www.h-gac.com/careers/.
  5. NEW!   H-GAC seeks Environmental Planner, Water Quality Monitoring. Assists with a wide range of projects related to the Water Resources Program. Supports regional efforts to improve water quality and reduce non-point source pollution. More at www.h-gac.com/Careers/.
  6. NEW! H-GAC seeks Senior Air Quality Planner. The Senior Planner will serve as a primary staff for Transportation Air Quality Implementation Programs which may include Clean Air Action, Clean Vehicle and/or Commute Solutions activities.  Coordinates and supports the efforts of local, state and federal agencies in complying with the various federal and state alternative fuel mandates and trading regulations.  This position will support regional efforts to meet attainment of federal air quality standards by assisting in creatively analyzing and promoting transportation-related air quality programs and investigating other potential measures to help reduce ground level ozone.  Supervised by Air Quality Coordinator.  Reports to Air Quality Program Manager. Read more at www.h-gac.com/careers/.
  7. NEW! The City of Houston seeks Administration Manager (Environmental). Duties: Manage the daily operations of the City’s Municipal Setting Designation (MSD) and Brownfield Redevelopment programs. Review and modify as necessary application forms and internal procedures to process applications. Coordinate the scheduling and attend the required public meetings and public hearing for MSD applications. Update and maintain the City of Houston’s Public Works and Engineering Geographical Information Systems MSD and Brownfield data layer and status sheet. Apply for and manage grants awarded to the City of Houston related to Brownfield Redevelopment,. Actively solicit participants in the grants, manage consultants selected to perform work and process invoices from consultants and coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency and Texas commission on Environmental Quality, Support Utility Analysis and special projects and other duties as assigned. For more details and how to apply, visit http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/.
  8. Galveston Bay Foundation seeks Volunteer Water Quality Summer Intern. The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) seeks a part-time, temporary Volunteer Water Quality Summer Intern to assist with programs including GBF’s Water Monitoring Team, Boater Waste Education Campaign, Galveston Bay Bacteria Reduction Plan, and Clean Water Partnerships. The Volunteer Water Quality Summer Intern will receive training and certifications as a GBF Water Quality Monitor (Texas Stream Team program), GBF Volunteer Bacteria Sampler, and GBF Volunteer Lab Assistant; gain field experience by carrying out a short-term research project; collect, input, and track water quality data; conduct online research on a variety of water quality topics; and participate in public outreach events and professional networking opportunities. This unpaid internship opportunity is open to current sophomore, junior, senior-level undergraduates, or graduate students working toward a degree in water resource management, environmental science, or a related field. Please see http://galvbay.org/aboutus_jobs.html for full details, duties, and qualifications. To apply, email resume and cover letter to cbohanon@galvbay.org by May 28, 2013.
  9. HARC seeks Intern for Website Content Development and Social Media Integration. HARC is looking for a tech savvy and creative student pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with experience using Drupal, WordPress or similar online content management system. Advanced CSS and HTML knowledge, basic Photoshop skills,  PHP, MySQL, Drupal module development experience is  a plus but not a requirement of the position. We are looking for a candidate with strong communications skills and an ability to perform in a team environment. Duties will include, but not be limited to: organizing and publishing content to a Drupal website; maintaining a consistent look and feel throughout all web components as defined by graphic designer; copying, editing and proofreading all web content; and assisting in the creation of a custom Drupal theme. For more information about the position and to upload a resume, please visit http://mitchell.harc.edu/About/Jobs/Job?jobID=125. HARC is a non-profit research hub located in The Woodlands, TX that provides independent analysis on energy, air, and water issues to people seeking scientific answers.
  10. Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Volunteer/Outreach Coordinator. Responsibilities include coordinating volunteer conservation programs and events (Adopt-a-Spot, Green Team, Trash Bash, Eagle Scouts, etc.) and leading activities on-site; coordinating volunteers for BBP special events (Regatta, Kids Day, etc.) and supervising on-site; developing and implementing new and innovative initiatives to expand the volunteer base with an emphasis on corporate volunteers (team building program, communication, recognition, etc.); developing and implementing initiatives to increase awareness of Buffalo Bayou Partnership (includes but not limited to scheduling presentations, representing Buffalo Bayou Partnership at city-wide events such as Earth Day at Discovery Green Park, outreach to residents living along the bayou, speakers’ bureau, etc.); and more. If interested, please send resume and cover letter to Ann Olsen, President, Buffalo Bayou Partnership/ 1113 Vine St, Suite 200/ Houston, TX 77002, or info@buffalobayou.org (No phone calls please).
  11. Hermann Park Conservancy is currently seeking a full-time office manager/bookkeeper. The office manager/bookkeeper is responsible for overseeing the financial management of the organization and for maintaining all financial records, from day-to-day data input to monthly closing journal entries to preparing financial statements. This position is also responsible for the day-to-day office management, including ordering and maintaining office supplies, office equipment, and payroll. This position reports to the executive director. To learn more about this opportunity, visit www.hermannpark.org.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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/.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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 of the regular session was Monday, May 27, 2013, but Governor Perry has called a 30-day special session.  Learn more at www.legis.state.tx.us, or in the Houston Chronicle article.

Thousands of bills have been passed by the legislature, although many are tributes of various types. For a complete list, visit http://www.legis.state.tx.us/Reports/Report.aspx?LegSess=83R&ID=passed.

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, May 28, 2013

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Monday, June 3, 2013

Tuesday, June 4, 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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