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September 1, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update September 3, 2013


CEC Environmental News Update–2013-09-03

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Houston Environmental News Update
September 3, 2013

CEC NOTES

  1. Kroger Plus Card
  2. New subscribers

COALITION NOTES

  1. Help Deer Park Prairie: ask for Colbert Bump and Donate
  2. The Wetlands Center and Baytown Nature Center Volunteer Orientation
  3. Urban Harvest Class: Rainwater Harvesting and Cistern
  4. Houston’s Wildscape Workshop & Native Plant Sale
  5. The Opposition Speaks: Why the Memorial Park Demonstration Project for Buffalo Bayou Is Not the Answer
  6. Cherryhurst Bikes! to Celebrate Cycling
  7. 2013 Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza
  8. Texas Citizen Planner Program
  9. MEMEnomics: Explore the Next Generation Economic System
  10. The 2013 Houston Tomorrow Catalyst Awards
  11. H-GAC Requests More Information on Parks
  12. Texas Gulf Coast Gardener Classes Return
  13. Campus RainWorks Challenge
  14. Explore in a Kayak with Artist Boat
  15. USGBC Construction & Demolition UnConference now October 30, 2013

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. TCEQ Commissioners Meeting, September 4, 2013
  2. Economic Justice Conference
  3. Take Me Outdoors Houston
  4. 2013 Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival
  5. Public Comment Period for Houston Superfund Site
  6. The Piney Woods Wildlife Society (PWWS) is moving
  7. SSPEED Center Conference: Hurricane Ike 5 Years Later
  8. Concrete Batch Plant Air Quality Hearing
  9. The New Ecology: Managing for Resilience in a Changing World
  10. RESTORE Council Adopts Comprehensive Plan
  11. TCEQ’s Texas Environmental Excellence Awards
  12. 2014 Gulf Summit
  13. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  14. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Houston air quality continues to improve; Ozone pollution declines despite population growth (EPA News, 8/28/2013)
  2. Energy Lobbyists Set Sights On Lesser Prairie Chicken (Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune – KUHF News, 9/1/2013)
  3. With drought at door, new Texas water czar faces big job (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 8/26/2013)

GREEN JOBS

  1. NEW! The Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia seeks Camp Leaders
  2. Westchase District Farmers Market seeks Manager
  3. Scenic Houston seeks Development Coordinator
  4. Scenic Houston seeks Executive Assistant/Office Manager
  5. Texas Campaign for the Environment seeks Campaign Staff
  6. Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Park Wide Supervisor
  7. The Woods Project seeks Club Program Instructors
  8. Air Alliance Houston seeks Teaching Artist
  9. National Wildlife Federation seeks Regional Development Manager (Austin)
  10. Texas Living Waters seeks Attorney (Austin)
  11. Harris County Flood Control District seeks Field Technician

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

  1. Environment Texas Releases 2013 Legislative Scorecard
  2. TCEQ touts successful 83rd Legislative Session

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. Kroger Plus Card. The Kroger Community Awards Program started September 1! You can sign up for a Kroger Community Rewards Account by entering your zip code, clicking on your favorite store, entering your email address, creating a password, and agreeing to the terms and conditions–all much easier than it sounds. Sign up atwww.KrogerCommunityRewards.com.
  2. New subscribers. CEC welcomes Katie, Kirsten, Blair, and Eleanor to our newsletter. Thank you for subscribing!

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COALITION NOTES

  1. Help Deer Park Prairie: ask for Colbert Bump and Donate. Save Deer Park Prairie has become a rallying cry for nature protectors across the Greater Houston area and the nation. In the most incredible fundraising blitz for land conservation in Texas history, supporters have raised $3.3 million – in just three weeks’ time. This rare ‘Cajun Prairie’ in Deer Park, Texas – less than 4 miles from “refinery row” in the Houston ship channel still needs $650,000 by September 10, 2013, or this irreplaceable, ancient wildflower garden will be lost forever to a planned 200-house subdivision. The entire conservation community of Texas has been riveted to this, as the Bayou Land Conservancy has sought and won an extension for the fundraising needed to meet and beat the development plans. The deadline to raise the $4 million is Tuesday, Sept. 10th. There is one man who can save us now: Stephen Colbert! BLC is calling on everyone to help us rally Colbert Nation to bring added light to the effort to Save Deer Park Prairie. Please post to the Colbert Nation Facebook page, Twitter (@ColbertReport), and Google + that we need the Colbert Bump to help save this wonderful grassland. There will also be a fundraising event on September 5, 2013, from 7-9pm at the Monument Inn (4406 Independence Parkway). All drink proceeds will be used directly by Bayou Land Conservancy to purchase the Deer Park Prairie. RSVP is required at info@bayouland.org. Read more on the BLC website.
  2. The Wetlands Center and Baytown Nature Center Volunteer Orientation. The Wetlands Center and Baytown Nature Center are looking for you! Join a fantastic volunteer team. September 4, 2013, 8:30am-3:30pm at The Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education & Recreation Center. Teach classes, assist teachers, and represent the Wetlands Center/Baytown Nature Center at outreach events. Get involved with shoreline cleanup, trail maintenance, and garden maintenance. For reservations or more information, call 281-420-7128 or email maryalice.trumble@baytown.org.
  3. Urban Harvest Class: Rainwater Harvesting and Cisterns. Come learn about very low-cost methods of absorbing water on your property, as well as more expensive methods such as rainwater cisterns. This class will be held on September 7, 2013, from 9-11:15am, at Westbury Community Garden. The cost is $24 Urban Harvest members and $36 non-members. For more info: 713-880-5540 or http://www.urbanharvest.org/.
  4. Houston’s Wildscape Workshop & Native Plant Sale. Visit the Houston Zoo Brown Education Center on September 7, 2013, 8am-3:30pm, for a Wildscape Workshop & Native Plant Sale. There will be educational programs, refreshments, boxed lunch, a nature book sale and door prizes all day. Registration for the workshop includes early access to plant sale, zoo entry, coffee, light breakfast, luncheon, snacks and presentations for only $40 per person. Learn more at http://npsot.org/Houston/.
  5. The Opposition Speaks: Why the Memorial Park Demonstration Project for Buffalo Bayou Is Not the Answer. September 11, 2013, at the Houston Arboretum. Refreshments at 6:45 PM, Program at 7:15 PM. Hosted by the Endangered Species Media Project and Houston Regional Group Sierra Club. The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), the River Oaks Country Club, and the City of Houston propose to jointly fund a $6 million project along Buffalo Bayou for 1.5 miles from the South Picnic Loop through the Hogg Bird Sanctuary. Hear concerns about hazards that may be posed to the environment by this project. Learn more at http://houston.sierraclub.org.
  6. Cherryhurst Bikes! to Celebrate Cycling. Cherryhurst Bikes!, a community cycling showcase, invites local organizations, businesses, and neighbors to celebrate cycling on Saturday, September 21, 2013, from 9am-noon at Cherryhust Park (1700 Missouri). Bring the whole family to to celebrate all that we can do on a bicycle. All are welcome to attend, both regular bicycle riders and riders-to-be. Enjoy free food and drink while visiting with 26+ community organizations and bike shops, and stroll (or roll!) over to the FrankenBike bicycle-themed swap meet at Anvil, on 1424 Westheimer. There will be a Bicycle “Show & Shine” (with prizes!), bike decorating for kids, safety, repair, & new rider classes, bike and helmet checks, experts to offer advice and guidance, new product demonstrations for city cycling, and more. Please visit www.cherryhurstbikes.org for more information and to register your bicycle for the show. For more information, contact: info@transitionhouston.org.
  7. 2013 Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza. Autumn is hummingbird season in Texas, as thousands of these tiny creatures move through the state on their southward migration to Mexico and Central America. Join the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory September 14th and 21st to see hummingbirds being banded, adopt a hummingbird, browse the Nature Store, walk the nature trails, or buy a plant to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Adults $2, kids free. http://cechouston.org/.
  8. Texas Citizen Planner Program. Starting September 25, 2013, local officials can turn to a new training program for local planning and development issues. The Texas Coastal Citizen Planner (TCCP) is an eight course program that covers trends and best practices concerning community planning and development. The program is designed specifically for local and appointed officials. The program is administered as a joint project between Texas AgriLife, Texas Sea Grant, and the Texas Coastal Watershed Program. Information about the program can be found online at CitizenPlanner.tamu.edu. Early registration ends September 18, 2013.
  9. MEMEnomics: Explore the Next Generation Economic System. Per Howard Putnam, Former CEO of Southwest Airlines – “If you want to be on the leading edge of transformation here is your opportunity.” In conjunction with Transition Houston, the 3rd Coast Center for Human Emergence has invited a group of speakers to Houston who are concerned with long-term cultural and economic sustainability. MEMEnomics in Houston will take place from September 19-24, 2013. Workshops include: What if Leaders Understood the Nature of Change?; Building Regional Resilience with a MeshWORKSâ„¢ Approach; MEMEnomics – The Next Generation Economic System; and Spiral Dynamics Level One Training & Certification. Learn more about each event and register at http://thirdcoastcomplexity.eventbrite.com/.
  10. The 2013 Houston Tomorrow Catalyst Awards. You can now purchase individual tickets for the first annual Houston Tomorrow Catalyst Awards. Join Houston Tomorrow on September 26, 2013 in recognizing and honoring those who are dedicated to positive catalytic change. The Catalyst Awards recognize and honor those whose ideas and actions change and improve the quality of Houstonians’ lives. The event will be held from 6-9pm at the BioScience Research Collaborative Rice University. Learn more at https://org2.salsalabs.com/.
  11. H-GAC Requests More Information on Parks. Do you have a park that is part of the Parks Viewer, or will you be submitting information about a park to be included?
    H-GAC has created a Parks Data Collection Form to gather detailed information from you. The Parks Data Collection form will allow H-GAC to include information about ownership, park size, amenities, and other pertinent data about the parks in our region that will be included in the viewer.
  12. Texas Gulf Coast Gardener Classes Return. The Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is offering the Texas Gulf Coast Gardener classes this fall! Registration is open August 1 – September 6, 2013. For more information, visit themercersociety.org.
  13. Campus RainWorks Challenge. The USEPA’s Office of Water is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Campus RainWorks Challenge for college and university students. Once again, EPA is inviting student teams to design an innovative green infrastructure project for their campus showing how managing stormwater at its source can benefit the campus community and the environment. This year, EPA is pleased to introduce two design categories: a Master Plan category and a Site Design category. Registration is open from September 9, 2013 – October 7, 2013. More at http://water.epa.gov/.
  14. Explore in a Kayak with Artist Boat. Artist Boat is establishing a Coastal Heritage Preserve on Galveston Island and is looking for people who want to explore by kayak. Public trips are available for $10 per person–an incredible value. For a schedule of events and to register for a trip, check out the website at www.artistboat.org.
  15. USGBC Construction & Demolition UnConference now October 30, 2013. The next USGBC UnConference has been rescheduled for October 30, 2013. http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/

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COMMUNITY
NOTES

  1. TCEQ Commissioners Meeting, September 4, 2013. In addition to routine items, the agenda covers the following:
    • Recommendation regarding the appointmnet of a Watermaster for the Trinity River Basin, the Trinity-San Jacinto Coastal Basin, the San Jacinto River Basin, or the San Jacinto-Brazos Coastal Basin. In three of the four options to be considered by the Commissioners, TCEQ staff is recommending a watermaster program.
    • Consideration of the adoption of the renewal, with amendment, of the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) general permit number TXG830000, authorizing the discharge of waters contaminated with petroleum fuel or petroleum substances into water in the state and consideration of adoption of the Response to Comment.
    • Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ, agency) and TxDOT addressing the TCEQ environmental reviews of TxDOT highway (transportation) projects.
    • Consideration of issues relating to the establishment of environmental flow standards included in a permit or amended water right in the river and bay systems consisting of the Nueces River and Corpus Christi and Baffin Bays; the Rio Grande, Rio Grande estuary, and Lower Laguna Madre; and the Brazos River and its associated bay and estuary system.

    Read more on the TCEQ agenda.

  2. Economic Justice Conference. Saturday, September 7, 2013, at the University of Houston-Hilton Hotel, 4800 Calhoun, Houston Texas 77004. The keynote speaker is Dean Baker, Co-Director of the Center for Economic & Policy Research, Washington, DC. The workshop includes eleven afternoon breakout session, including environmental justice and living sustainably. Student Registration is free. Visit the Houston Peace and Justice Center website to learn more about the conference and to register online.
  3. Take Me Outdoors Houston. At a time when people in big cities are becoming increasingly disconnected from the world of nature and the outdoors, Take Me Outdoors Houston offers a free, family-oriented festival to help urbanites in Texas’ largest city get back to nature. Now in its fifth year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department event enlists multiple partners who provide hands-on activities, booths and opportunities to engage audiences who haven’t ever or don’t often get exposure to the great outdoors, especially the parks and other resources located right in Houston’s big backyard. Take Me Outdoors Houston will take place from 10am-3pm on Saturday, September 14, 2013, at Discovery Green, a 12-acre park created by a public/private partnership between the City of Houston and the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy. More at http://cechouston.org/.
  4. 2013 Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival. Visit the Kleb Woods Nature Center on September 14, 2013, 9am-3pm, for the annual Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival! Hummingbird expert Sumita Prasad will be capturing and banding hummingbirds throughout the day. In addition to seeing these feathered jewels close up, you may ask Sumita questions about their unique structure and amazing biology. Come learn about hummingbirds — including identifying, attracting and gardening for hummingbirds. There will be games and activities for the whole family. Admission is free. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own refreshments. Drinks and snacks will not be sold. For additional information, call Kleb Woods Nature Center at (281) 357-5324. cechouston.org
  5. Public Comment Period for Houston Superfund Site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extendedthe public comment period for the proposed cleanup plan amendment for the South Cavalcade Street Superfund Site in Houston, Texas. The comment period will now conclude on September 23, 2013. The extension for public comment will allow the community more time to review the Agency’s proposal and provide valuable input to shape our proposed plan. More at http://www.epa.gov/.
  6. The Piney Woods Wildlife Society (PWWS) is moving! Beginning with its September meeting, PWWS will hold its monthly meetings at the new Dennis Johnston County Park at 709 Riley Fuzzel Road in the Big Stone Lodge. This new County Park is located in Harris County a short distance from Spring Creek and Old Town Spring. The next meeting will be on September 17, 2013. The September program will be given by Kingwood resident Paul Gregg who has traveled extensively after retiring from the military. He and his wife, Carol, traveled to Iceland recently and came back with some fabulous photographs. Paul will be teaching photography classes at both Kingwood Lone Star College and Atascocita LSC this fall including Digital Photography, Adobe Lightroom, Basic Wildlife and Travel Photography. http://cechouston.org/
  7. SSPEED Center Conference: Hurricane Ike 5 Years Later. Top experts in the field will discuss hurricane protection for Houston, Hurricane Sandy risk and response, and post Hurricane Katrina activities. Keynote speakers include Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Chairman Janiece Longoria of the Port of Houston Authority, Bill Read, former director of the National Hurricane Center and Professor Ning Lin from Princeton University who specializes in climate change and severe weather events. The conference will highlight the SSPEED Center’s proposed Centennial Gate, designed to protect the Houston Ship Channel. This session will include a description of the gate, surge modeling, legal issues, finance strategies, land use and ship channel environmental risk and tank stability. The conference will address emerging federal thinking on non-structural alternatives and the SSPEED Center’s formation of the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area and creation of the ecosystem services exchange. The conference will take place from September 24-25, 2013 at the Rice University BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC). Register at https://signup.rice.edu/.
  8. Concrete Batch Plant Air Quality Hearing. Legacy Precast, LLC, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for an Air Quality Standard Permit for a Concrete Batch Plant with Enhanced Controls Registration Number 111819 to authorize the operation of a concrete batch plant. The facility is proposed to be located at 8725 Farm-to-Market Road 362, Pattison, Waller County, Texas 77423. A public comment meeting will be held on September 30, 2013, in Brookshire. Public comments may be submitted at any time up to the close of the meeting. Please visit the TCEQ website for more information.
  9. The New Ecology: Managing for Resilience in a Changing World. Join Society for Ecological Restoration, Texas Chapter, and Texas Riparian Association along the banks of the South Llano River on the campus of Texas Tech University’s Llano River Field Station for TXSER and TRA’s 2013 Conference, The New Ecology: Managing for Resilience in a Changing World. Participants will enjoy: Friday field trips and workshop; stimulating presentations on topics related to restoration, management and conservation issues in Texas; opportunities to network with fellow environmentalists; delicious meals; a social and poster session; and awards for lifetime achievement in the field and for student posters and presentations. The conference will be held November 1-2, 2013. Registration is now open. Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/.
  10. RESTORE Council Adopts Comprehensive Plan. On Wednesday, August 28, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council held a public meeting and officially adopted the Initial Comprehensive Plan that will guide regional restoration for the foreseeable future. The Plan was broadly circulated in draft form throughout most of the summer, receiving over 41,000 comments from the public meetings as well as written input. Learn more at www.restorethegulf.gov.
  11. TCEQ’s Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Due October 4, 2013. To nominate an exemplary environmental effort for the 2014 awards, apply online at www.TEEA.org.
  12. 2014 Gulf Summit. Registration is now open for the 2014 Gulf Summit to be heldMarch 24-27, 2014 at the Omni Hotel-Galleria in Houston, Texas. Learn more on the Gulf Summit web page.
  13. 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).
    • 50th Film History; Guadalupe Rainbows
    • Texas Jellies
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Arroyo Veleno Wildlife Coop
    • Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park
  14. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html.Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • September 3, 2013: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone.Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the east and northeast side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations this afternoon and into the early evening.
    • September 4, 2013: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone.Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the south and southwest side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.
    • September 5, 2013: Yellow–Moderate–Ozone.Winds may be light enough and incoming background levels high enough for ozone levels to reach “Moderate” or possibly higher on the south, southwest, and west side of the Houston area, with highest concentrations in the afternoon and early evening.

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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 air quality continues to improve; Ozone pollution declines despite population growth (EPA News, 8/28/2013)
    The EPA is proposing to approve the State of Texas’ plan for the Houston area to attain the 1997 standard for ground-level ozone pollution by 2018. This means EPA believes the emissions-cutting measures in the state’s plan have put the Houston-Galveston-Brazoria area on track to meet the 1997 federal 8-hour ozone standard of 84 parts per billion by 2018. The proposed rule is being made available for a 30 day review and comment by the public. After considering comments, EPA will take final action. http://yosemite.epa.gov/
  2. Energy Lobbyists Set Sights On Lesser Prairie Chicken (Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune – KUHF News, 9/1/2013)
    Some of Texas’ biggest oil and gas lobbyists are hoping to take control of the fate of the fast-disappearing lesser prairie chicken — much like what happened with the dunes sagebrush lizard earlier this year. In June, Beatty Bangle Strama, a law firm whose attorneys lobby for ExxonMobil, created a nonprofit called the American Habitat Center. The center was set up to administer a future “mitigation bank” that would allow the five biggest oil companies in the Permian Basin, where the grouse is found, to pay into a system that allows landowners to help conserve and restore the chicken’s habitat. http://app1.kuhf.org/
  3. With drought at door, new Texas water czar faces big job (Matthew Tresaugue – Houston Chronicle, 8/26/2013)
    Gov. Rick Perry recently picked Carlos Rubinstein, 54, as chairman of a newly reorganized Texas Water Development Board, which oversees billions of dollars in funding for reservoirs, pipelines and other water-supply projects. This will be Rubinstein’s biggest challenge yet: Keeping the state flush with water, even as its population grows and climate changes. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/
  4. Scoop.it Page. The CEC is now maintaining a page on Scoop.it. Check it out! http://www.scoop.it/t/citizens-environmental-coalition-houston

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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. NEW! The Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia seeks Camp Leaders. The Outdoor Education Center at Camp Olympia has immediate openings for Camp Leaders. Camp Leaders teach and supervise 5th grade students during their 4 day 3 night experience. Activities include instruction at the Model Farm, Aquatic Studies, Forest Studies, Conservation, Adventure activities and numerous evening activities such as astronomy and night hikes. All activities are designed to follow school district and state guidelines. Compensation includes salary, health benefits, sick days, room and board, and paid training. For more information, visit the website at www.hisdoec.com or email Tom Cosper at tcosper@houstonisd.org.
  2. Westchase District Farmers Market seeks Manager. Westchase District works to enhance economic development within the Westchase District boundaries through a variety of programs that improve mobility, public safety, beautification, marketing, and long-range planning. The Farmers Market will serve as a community gathering place, while providing the citizens of West Houston access to high quality, locally-produced, seasonal fresh foods. Westchase District is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as Market Manager, working under the direction of Westchase District’s Vice President of Communication. The position is part-time and does not include benefits. Annual wage for manager is budgeted at $30,000. The manager will be responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Westchase Farmers Market, including: recruiting vendors, making farm visits, and maintaining vendor records; coordinating the physical requirements of opening and closing the market; enforcing the market operating rules; handling emergencies and complaints; maintaining a market information booth; keeping a weekly market log and collecting vendor fees; and more. If interested, please send your resume to 713-780-8025 (fax) or hiring@westchasedistrict.com. No phone calls please.
  3. Scenic Houston seeks Development Coordinator. Scenic Houston is a small non-profit doing big work for Houston. For decades, their dedicated team has successfully collaborated with government, business, and community leaders to beautify Houston’s streetscapes in significant ways. Growing support for their efforts has allowed them to expand their team. They are currently seeking a Development Coordinator to assist the President in the implementation of our strategic growth plan. The Coordinator will plan and direct a broad range of development activities that support Scenic Houston’s continued success including interface with potential individual, corporate and foundation funders, planning fundraising events, grant writing and the development of an effective public relations strategy. The candidate should be a highly creative and dynamic individual with a passion for the mission and the ability to communicate that passion successfully to a wide range of high-level professionals. To find out more about Scenic Houston, please visit their website www.scenichouston.org. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your cover letter and resume to info@scenichouston.org. No phone calls, please.
  4. Scenic Houston seeks Executive Assistant/Office Manager. Scenic Houston is currently seeking an Executive Assistant/Office Manager to assist the President in the management of all aspects of the operation. The Executive Assistant will plan, coordinate and direct a broad range of activities that support Scenic Houston including the administration of financial activities and support services, database management, coordination of special events and generally ensuring that the entire office runs smoothly. To find out more about Scenic Houston, please visit their website www.scenichouston.org. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your cover letter and resume to info@scenichouston.org. No phone calls, please.
  5. Texas Campaign for the Environment seeks Campaign Staff. Seeking a job that fully recognizes and utilizes your personal power to create positive change? Texas Campaign for the Environment is hiring passionate people to join their campaign staff. Be part of a team of like-minded individuals who are here for more than just a paycheck. TCE staff share a vision for a more sustainable, just society, and believe that grassroots organizing, or canvassing, is the best way to affect positive change; communicate with people in such a way that motivates them to get involved. Both full time and part time positions are available. To apply, visit the employment page at http://www.texasenvironment.org/jobs.cfm to complete the Houston application and submit it to the Office Manager, suzan@texasenvironment.org.
  6. Buffalo Bayou Partnership seeks Park Wide Supervisor. Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BBP) is overseeing major enhancement of Buffalo Bayou Park – Shepherd to Sabine, a 2.3 mile long, 160-acre City Park west of downtown Houston. The organization is seeking a Park Wide Supervisor for Shepherd to Sabine. Some of the essential functions include: Examine new or existing landscape sites and irrigation systems, examine repairs or modifications to ensure trades work and materials conform to prescribed quality and standards; Obtain evidence of failure to comply by sketching or photographing locations and features of deviations; Check irrigation system components including, but not limited to, water distribution lines, sprinkler heads, valves, pumps, nozzles and backflows devices for defects; Oversee the supervision of personnel, which includes work allocation, training, and problem resolution: evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance; Oversee turf and irrigation management activities in compliance with park standards; Oversee and coordinate tree care program, including all pruning, plant diagnosis, tree removal, and replacement, tree repairs, and tree hazard evaluations; and more. If interested, please send Cover Letter and Resume to: jobs@buffalobayou.org or Mr. Gregg Burks, BBP – S2S Park Director / 1113 Vine Street, Suite 200 / Houston, TX 77002. No phone calls please.
  7. The Woods Project seeks Club Program Instructors. 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 – 2014 school year. The right candidate will be an outdoorsperson with experience working with high school youth, preferably some experience with low income 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 2013-2014 school year, attend one fall and spring semester camping trip, and are highly encouraged to participate in the 2014 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.
  8. Air Alliance Houston seeks Teaching Artist. Air Alliance Houston is the Houston region’s leading environmental health and air quality nonprofit. Their mission is to reduce air pollution in the Houston region and to protect public health and environmental integrity through research, education and advocacy. They are seeking a motivated individual to teach “Ozone Theater,” award winning, cross-collaborative lesson plans to k-8th graders in the Houston region. The Teaching Artist will work independently and in conjunction with the Education department on ongoing programs and new initiatives. This position will encompass a broad range of skills, including instruction on public health and quality of life, elementary to middle school education, data recording, paper work, and organizing. An ideal candidate will have a record of success working within the education field. Experience in all of these fields is not required, but intellectual and professional flexibility between fields and disciplines. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Interested applicants should send complete resume and cover letter to hiring@airalliancehouston.org.
  9. National Wildlife Federation seeks Regional Development Manager (Austin). NWF is currently seeking a Regional Development Manager to primarily be responsible for the National Wildlife Federation’s philanthropic efforts in the South Central Region. The RDM has three primary functions: 1) to support and advance fundraising activities within the Region; 2) to keep abreast of and communicate both internally and externally the programmatic needs and accomplishments of the Region as they relate to broader cultivation and fundraising strategies; 3) to secure appropriate support from and collaboration with the Philanthropy Department to ensure that regional fundraising goals are met. Learn more and apply at www.nwf.org.
  10. Texas Living Waters seeks Attorney (Austin). The Texas Living Waters Project is a joint effort of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club and National Wildlife Federation as well as regional partner, Galveston Bay Foundation. Texas Living Waters is hiring an Attorney responsible for developing, recommending, and prosecuting environmental litigation (primarily in the form of participating in administrative proceedings related to water rights applications); developing and advancing changes in legal policy through regulatory and legislative venues; and assisting and coordinating with NWF Water Project staff and Texas Living Waters Project partners to improve water policy and management in Texas. The attorney will be responsible for identifying and implementing a wide range of legal and policy tools, including, but not limited to, state laws relating to management of surface water and groundwater and federal laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and the Clean Water Act. The position is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and recommending revisions to existing and proposed regulations and legislation; providing legal assistance to NWF affiliates and like-minded organizations; traveling and making presentations in support of litigation and policy activities. If interested please apply on line: www.nwf.org.
  11. Harris County Flood Control District seeks Field Technician. Responsible for assisting the Storm Water Quality Department Manager in managing and monitoring environmental projects for the Storm Water Quality Department of Environmental Services Division to protect and enhance surfacewater quality in support of the District’s mission. Learn about the HCFCD job here.

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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/.

  1. Environment Texas Releases 2013 Legislative Scorecard. Twenty representatives and three senators voted to protect the environment 100% of the time in 83rd legislature, according to Environment Texas’s biennial legislative scorecard. The scorecard tracked votes on a number of environmental issues like water conservation, fracking, solar energy, and clean air. Two local senators (Rodney Ellis and Sylvia Garcia) and four representatives (Alma Allen, Senfronia Thompson, Hubert Vo, and Ron Reynolds) received perfect scores.
  2. TCEQ Has Successful 83rd Legislative Session. The article in September’s issue of TCEQ’s Natural Outlook focuses on the TCEQ’s perspective on the recent legislative sessions. “For the TCEQ, this year’s legislative session (the 83rd) was relatively calm, especially compared to the last session, when the agency successfully completed Sunset Review…. Many of this session’s bills fell under the category of growth management—i.e., legislation made necessary by the need to accommodate the state’s enormous population and economic growth. HB 4 will ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment to allocate approximately $2 billion to help address the state’s current and future water infrastructure needs through the Texas Water Development Board. The TCEQ’s role may include assisting regional water planning groups by providing technical assistance in prioritizing projects from a regulatory and permitting perspective.” The TCEQ goes on to review specific legislation. Read more on the TCEQ website.

CEC will provide additional updates from our member groups as they become available.

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

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Friday, September 6, 2013

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Monday, September 9, 2013

Tuesday, September 10, 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
Sophany Touch, IREX Community Solutions Fellow/Wildlife Alliance
Page Slocum, Newsletter Editor
(713) 524-4232
news@cechouston.org
cechouston.org
www.facebook.com/cecHouston

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