• 713-524-4CEC (4232)
  • info@cechouston.org
September 7, 2013

Houston Environmental News Update September 10, 2013

Donate Now through Network for Good

Citizens' Environmental Coalition Logo

Houston Environmental News Update September 10, 2013

CEC NOTES

  1. Upcoming CEC Events
  2. New subscribers
  3. Become a member

COALITION NOTES

  1. Deer Park Prairie Can Breathe Forever Now
  2. RDA Spotlight Award Program & Lecture
  3. EEE, KPC, The Woods Project, and GO Houston to be featured on Eco-ology
  4. Texas Power Plants Pollute as much as 45.9 Million Cars
  5. The Opposition Speaks: Why the Memorial Park Demonstration Project for Buffalo Bayou Is Not the Answer
  6. My Houston 2040
  7. H-GAC to Accept Applications for Solid Waste Grants
  8. Swift Night Out
  9. Armand Bayou Nature Center Bird Survey
  10. Geocaching at Jones Park
  11. Houston Audubon’s Saturdays in Nature Family Program
  12. KPC Unplugged Adventure: Up the Creek
  13. Cherryhurst Bikes! to Celebrate Cycling
  14. 2013 Xtreme Hummingbird Xtravaganza
  15. RSA/RDA Fall Lecture Series – RE:Architecture [NSFW]
  16. MEMEnomics: Explore the Next Generation Economic System
  17. The 2013 Houston Tomorrow Catalyst Awards
  18. 7th Annual Garden Faire
  19. Campus RainWorks Challenge
  20. A Curious Garden – Fundraising Party
  21. USGBC Construction & Demolition UnConference now October 30, 2013
  22. Livable Center Sponsors

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Houston Mayoral Debate
  2. Green Film: “Eating Alabama”
  3. Take Me Outdoors Houston
  4. 2013 Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival
  5. ArCH Walking Tours and Docent Training
  6. Compost Camp
  7. Peaceful sit-in at TransCanada’s Houston HQ against Keystone XL Pipeline
  8. Coal Effluent Sign-On Letter Texas
  9. Public Comment Period for Houston Superfund Site
  10. SSPEED Center Conference: Hurricane Ike 5 Years Later
  11. Concrete Batch Plant Air Quality Hearing
  12. The New Ecology: Managing for Resilience in a Changing World
  13. THE BOOMER
  14. News from TCEQ
  15. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
  16. Air Quality Forecast

NEWS HEADLINES

  1. Zero Emissions Renaissance Comes To Houston, Of All Places (Nino Marchetti – Earth Techling, 9/3/2013)
  2. NASA Planes Will Fly Houston Skies On Pollution-Data Mission (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News, 9/3/2013)
  3. Austin nonprofit expands bee rescue to Houston (Mary Dahdouh – Houston Chronicle, 9/4/2013)

GREEN JOBS

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

UPCOMING EVENTS

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS

CEC NOTES

  1. Upcoming CEC Events.
    • Tuesday, October 1, 2013, evening: Environmental Forum for City of Houston Candidates. Information will be sent out in a seperate email later this week.
    • Tuesday, November 19, 2013, evening: “I recycled. I voted. What next?” A Collaborative Primer on Civic Engagement for Houston’s Environmental Community.
    • Thursday, February 13, 2014: Visions for a Greener Houston, CEC’s Environmental Summit.
  2. New subscribers. CEC welcomes Dani and Rajiv to our newsletter. Thank you Teresa, TS, Beatriz, Linda, Bob, Egberto, Thanos, Ricardo, Anne, Bob, Robert, William, Merry, Mesias, and Jane for visiting our booth at the Houston Peace and Justice Center’s economic development conference on Saturday. Thank you for subscribing!
  3. Become a member! Did you know that CEC has three types of members, as set out in our by-laws? Memberships come with a variety of benefits to you, to the CEC, and–best of all–to the greater environmental community in the Houston/Gulf Coast region.
    • Organizations. You probably know about our 99 member organizations. Who will be our hundredth member? Right now, the CEC has a limited number of scholarships for new, small organizations, thanks to a generous sponsor. If you are interested in becoming a new organizational member, please contact rachel@cechouston.org or visit cechouston.org.
    • Individuals. Our environmental associate members are critical to sustaining our programs, including this newsletter. More information is on the individual membership page.
    • Corporate Membership. Sustaining Environmental Associate membership levels are appropriate for small businesses and large corporations, and come with several benefits. Sign up here!

Back to top

COALITION NOTES

  1. Deer Park Prairie Can Breathe Forever Now! The Bayou Land Conservancy, along with the help of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, the Native Prairies Association of Texas, and other dedicated groups, companies, and individuals, raised the requisite $4 million to save this precious 50-acre home to meadowlarks, pocket gophers, and more than 300 species of unique plants – tucked between subdivisions and just 3 miles south of the Deer Park refineries. While so much of what these heroes did was amazing (read more on the BLC website), you really ought to consider viewing the Colbert Bump video that the crew put together–it will make your day almost as much as the news that there will be a new, former landowner for the Deer Park Prairie.
  2. RDA Spotlight Award Program & Lecture. Join Rice Design Alliance on Tuesday, September 10, to hear a lecture by Spotlight winner Georgeen Theodore of Interboro Partners. Each year since 2009, RDA’s Spotlight Prize recognizes exceptionally gifted architects in the the first fifteen years of their professional careers. Georgeen Theodore will speak about Interboro Partner’s research and design office whose subject is the extraordinary, exciting complexity of the contemporary city. You are invited to hear her speak tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10, at 7:00 p.m. in the Brown Auditorium at the MFA,H, 1001 Bissonnet. Please join us for a pre-lecture reception in the entrance of the Audrey Jones Beck Building at 6:00 p.m., 5601 Main Street. This event is free for RDA Members and students presenting identification. Tickets for non-members are $25, but those who join RDA that evening will receive a free ticket. Tickets are required for entry and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at at 6 p.m. the evening of the lecture. Seating is limited; attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Learn more at http://ricedesignalliance.org/.
  3. EEE, KPC, The Woods Project, and GO Houston to be featured on Eco-ology. Set your alarm and tune your radio to KPFT 90.1 FM on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 from 6:00 AM-7:00 AM to hear interviews of fellow environmental education leaders Carolyn Klein of Westside High School and The Woods Project as well as Jaime Gonzalez of Katy Prairie Conservancy and GO Houston as they discuss their current programs and projects. Additionally, we will discuss the movement in Houston to re-organize and strengthen our environmental education efforts, provide updated place-based teaching resources for educators as well as field-based professional development.
  4. Texas Power Plants Pollute as much as 45.9 Million Cars. Amid the worst drought in decades and with Hurricane Ike’s fifth anniversary around the corner, a new report from Environment Texas Research & Policy Center ranks Texas first in the country for most carbon pollution from its power plants, the state’s largest single source of global warming pollution. Scientists predict that extreme weather events will become more frequent and severe for future generations, unless we cut the dangerous carbon pollution fueling the problem. Read more at EnvironmentTexas.org.
  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. My Houston 2040. Houston Tomorrow, Air Alliance Houston, and the Citizens’ Transportation Coalition agree that Houstonians can build a better Houston today by thinking about the Houston we may inherit in 2040 and the Houston we want in 2040. This Month’s MyHouston2040 is joining the Sierra Club for a joint event in presenting Complete Streets. Complete Streets means designing our streets for the safety and comfort of all Houstonians. They allow for ALL users whether the user is in a car, or traveling by foot, bicycle, mass transit, or other. Come out to MyHouston2040 on September 12, 2013, 5-7pm, to learn more about Complete Streets! This month’s event will take place at a different location: Pecore Hall of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (1805 West Alabama St). More at https://www.facebook.com/.
  7. H-GAC to Accept Applications for Solid Waste Grants. H-GAC will soon begin accepting applications for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Solid Waste Implementation Pass-Through Grants. Over the next two years, H-GAC will be able to award $1.2 million in grant funds ($600,000 per year), but will only accept applications for both years from September 23 to October 25, 2013. H-GAC will host a public meeting on the FY14-15 Solid Waste Funding Plan Friday, September 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in H-GAC Conference Room A, Second Floor. More information is available on the H-GAC website.
  8. Swift Night Out. Join Houston Audubon for Swift Night Out! Hundreds of Swifts are gathering around chimneys in preparation their southbound migration. Come out to Lakeview Elementary School on September 13, 2013, 7:30-8:30 pm. FREE event open to everybody. Bring a chair, a curiosity for nature, and get comfortable while Chimney Swifts return to roost for the night. http://www.houstonaudubon.org/
  9. Armand Bayou Nature Center Bird Survey. Join members of The Houston Audoubon Society for their monthly bird count at Armand Bayou, one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the country. Meet at the Armand Bayou Nature Center at 7am on September 14, 2013. Contact leader Andrew Hamlett at bachwblr@yahoo.com for more information. http://cechouston.org/
  10. Geocaching at Jones Park. Embark on the scavenger hunt known as geocaching, a worldwide GPS-guided game that is fun for families and individuals of all ages and skill levels. Come out to Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center on September 14, 2013, at 9am for Geocaching! This is a free event. For more information, call the park office at 281-446-8588.
  11. Houston Audubon’s Saturdays in Nature Family Program. A hands-on science program for families is offered the second Saturday of each month, September through May, at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Naturalists of all ages will enjoy quality time outdoors, fun nature themes, crafts, and guided nature walks (walks offered at 10 and 11am). September’s program is “Pond Exploration” and the craft will be “Frogs on a Log”. The next event will take place on September 14, 2013. Start any time between 9 and 11:30 a.m. – no reservations are needed. http://cechouston.org/
  12. KPC Unplugged Adventure: Up the Creek. The Katy Prairie is Houston’s shield. Each acre of prairie holds back tens of thousands of gallons of floodwater during a heavy rain that would otherwise inundate our friends in to the souteast (Katy, Memorial, Houston, and others). Want to see how KPC is helding to protect you and your family? Join Katy Prairie Conservancy for a fun and informal hayride focused on our flood-retention projects on the Flat Out Wonderful Warren Ranch. Along the way you’ll learn some ranch history and see how our newest project is already becoming a haven for wildlife. This free adventure will take place on September 14, 2013, 11:45am-12:45pm on Warren Lake. http://cechouston.org/
  13. 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.
  14. 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/.
  15. RSA/RDA Fall Lecture Series – RE:Architecture [NSFW]. The Rice School of Architecture and the Rice Design Alliance’s Fall Lecture Series, Re: Architecture [NSFW], presents a new generation of architects operating across scales, methods, techniques, and sites of work. Rice School of Architecture Assistant Professor Troy Schaum, who curated the series, says he is “interested in introducing Houston to young firms that are building in unique ways, not easily categorized, and are refusing to play it safe.” Framed by the popular online tag NSFW [Not Safe For Work], Re: Architecture [NSFW] investigates how architects’ assumptions regarding safe boundaries for contemporary disciplinary investigation simultaneously limit and propel their creative practices. The lectures will take place every Wednesday night at 7pm at The Museum of Fine Arts, from September 25, 2013 to October 16, 2013. http://cechouston.org/
  16. 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/.
  17. 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/.
  18. 7th Annual Garden Faire. Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens and The Mercer Society (TMS) present the 7th Annual Garden Faire Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, 2013 from 8am-4pm. The Garden Faire is an outdoor fall festival for nature-lovers of all ages. Stroll along the wooded trails and shop for new plants, crafts and local foods while learning about community-based horticulture and environmental activities. Please call 281-443-8731 or visit the park for additional details. http://cechouston.org/
  19. 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/.
  20. A Curious Garden – Fundraising Party. Friends of Mandell Park will be hosting a fundraising party on October 17, 2013, at the home of Rebecca and Michael Jusbasche. It will be a cocktail party from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. For additional information contact Friends of Mandell Park at FoMAndellPark@aol.com or Robert Shipman, Gala Coordinator at mandellpark@gmail.com.
  21. USGBC Construction & Demolition UnConference now October 30, 2013. The next USGBC UnConference has been rescheduled for October 30, 2013. http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org/
  22. Livable Center Sponsors. The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is seeking proposals from local governments or other eligible project sponsors to conduct Livable Centers planning studies. The objective of the planning studies is to help create quality, walkable, mixed-use places, create multi-modal travel choices, improve environmental quality, and promote economic development and housing choice. Study recommendations will ideally lead to locally sponsored Livable Centers projects for possible inclusion in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and future Transportation Improvement Programs (TIP). Note: This is not a request for proposals from consulting firms. More info on the H-GAC website. Deadline: November 1, 2013.

Back to top

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Houston Mayoral Debate. The League of Women Voters of the Houston Area are pleased to announce that in conjunction with KUHT Houston PBS Channel 8 it will be hosting the ONLY televised mayoral debate on October 8, 2013. Learn more about the event on the League’s Facebook page.
  2. Green Film: “Eating Alabama”. Chipotle will be sponsoring “Eating Alabama,” the third film in a series of outdoor screenings at Discovery Green Park in Houston on September 13, 2013. “Eating Alabama” is a story about why food matters. The event begins at 7:30 pm with activities including an appetizer demo from The Grove Restaurant, photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and tacos served from the one and only Chipotle food truck. The film starts at 8:15 p.m. and guests are encouraged to bring canned food for the Houston Food Bank. Beer from St. Arnold’s and wine from Barefoot will be provided as well. http://cechouston.org/
  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. ArCH Walking Tours and Docent Training. September is the Fall Walking Tour Season for Architecture Center Houston. Classes are free and open to the public, though pre-registration is requested. Classes are each Saturday in September from 8am – noon and include breakfast and a walking tour. The next walking tour takes place on September 14, 2013, 8am-noon. It will cover Buffalo Bayou. Register online here or contact mat@aiahouston.org or 713-520-0155 for more information.
  6. Compost Camp. Registration is now open for Compost Camp, September 16-18 at Texas Disposal Systems, Exotic Game Ranch, 11508 Carl Road, Buda, Texas. The cost is $100 for Texas Compost Council Members; $150 for Non-members. Compost Camp is sponsored by the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling Compost Advisory Council. Register at https://www.recyclingstar.org/.
  7. Peaceful sit-in at TransCanada’s Houston HQ against Keystone XL Pipeline. On September 16, 2013, CREDO and the Rainforest Action Network will be staging a rally and Peaceful sit-in at TransCanada’s Downtown head quarters to protest TransCanada’s effort to build the Keystone XL pipeline, and put pressure on the Obama Administration as it nears a decision on Keystone XL. This will be a peaceful and dignified action where some participants will be risking arrest. For more information on this action or to register for the event as either a sit-in participant or a rally participant please visit: http://act.credoaction.com/ or email Sam Briggs at sbriggs@credoaction.com. ALL participants risking arrest must be firmly committed to principles of non-violence, and attend a REQUIRED legal briefing and action training on Sunday, September 15, from 2 pm to 6 pm, at Bethel Church UCC of Houston. http://cechouston.org/
  8. Coal Effluent Sign-On Letter Texas. Clean Water Action invites you and your organization to sign on to these comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Effluent Limitation Guidelines & Standards for the Steam Electric Power Generating Point Source Category (letter attached). This comment letter will be submitted to the formal docket for this draft rule. The deadline to sign on is Tuesday, September 17th; the public comment period ends on September 20th. These new standards are urgently needed because Steam Electric Power Plants, especially coal plants, are responsible for nearly 60% of all the toxic pollutants discharged into Waters of the U.S.–more than any other permitted industrial discharger. The existing standards have not been updated since 1982 and power plants have essentially been give a free pass to dump unlimited amounts of arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium and other dangerous pollutants into our water for decades. To learn more about this issue, check out our power plant pollution national campaign page: http://www.cleanwateraction.org/powerplantwaterpollutioncomments
  9. 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/.
  10. 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/.
  11. 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.
  12. 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/.
  13. THE BOOMER. The 2013 summer edition of THE BOOMER, newsletter of the Friends of Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge has been released. You can read it here: FriendsNewsletter summer 2013.
  14. News from TCEQ.
    • 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.
    • New Rulemaking Actions: New actions pertain to environmental flows in the Brazos River, rainwater harvesting, an vehicle inspections.
    • Upcoming hearings: Environmental Flows in the Brazos River, 10/15/2013; Triennial Revision of 30 TAC Chapter 307, Texas Surface Water Quality Standards, 10/17/2013
    • TCEQ Agenda meeting: September 24, 2013: wastewater permit in Mongomery County, Municipal Solid Waste Management and Resource Advisory Council appointments; various enforcement actions for air and water quality, petroleum storage tanks, sludge application, revisions to the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for air quality.
    • Dickinson Bayou: TCEQ hosts a public meeting on water quality restoration Implementation plan for Dickinson Bayou to be discussed. September 12, 2013.
    • Permit Hearings: Proposed air quality permit in Chamber County, 9/19/2013; Proposed air quality permit in Waller County, 9/30/2013
  15. 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).
    • Secrets of a Barrier Island
    • Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Site
    • The International Pursuit
    • 50th Film History
  16. 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 10, 2013: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • September 11, 2013: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • September 12, 2013: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.

Back to top

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. Zero Emissions Renaissance Comes To Houston, Of All Places (Nino Marchetti – Earth Techling, 9/3/2013)
    Smith Electric Vehicles is now involved in a pilot project in the Houston-Galveston, Texas area in collaboration with the Center for Transportation and the Environment replacing diesel delivery vehicles with all-electric medium- and heavy-duty models. Funded in part by a $2.43 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) that’s being matched by millions from the private sector, the H-GAC Zero Emission Truck project aims to deploy 30 zero emission trucks that combined are expected “to reduce petroleum consumption by over 250,000 gallons of diesel fuel over the 2-year demonstration period.
    http://www.earthtechling.com/
  2. NASA Planes Will Fly Houston Skies On Pollution-Data Mission (Carrie Feibel – KUHF News, 9/3/2013)
    Typically, pollution is measured at ground level — with instruments placed on top of buildings, or sometimes in vehicles that drive along the Ship Channel. NASA also can track air quality from space, with orbiting satellites. But that leaves a big gap in between — the atmosphere, a place where wind and weather move pollution around, and where chemicals mix together and disperse. NASA is launching two research airplanes tomorrow from Ellington Field. The planes will spend a month flying over the Houston region and measuring air pollution to fill in critical data gaps.
    http://app1.kuhf.org/
  3. Austin nonprofit expands bee rescue to Houston (Mary Dahdouh – Houston Chronicle, 9/4/2013)
    About one mouthful in three in a healthy diet comes either directly or indirectly from honeybee pollination. Yet, the bee population is growing smaller, averaging a 33 percent drop each year in the U.S. since 2006 – a decline that could threaten the economic viability of bee pollination – and Texas is not immune. Central Texas Bee Rescue, a nonprofit Austin-based Texas Central rescue group, expanded last month to Houston to save feral honeybees. The honey produced in the new Houston base will help stock numerous Whole Food shelves to fund the nonprofit rescue operation.
    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

Back to top

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

  1. NEW! Environmental Defense Fund seeks Senior Assistant (Austin). With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. The Senior Assistant provides executive-level support to the Vice President, US Climate and Energy in EDF’s Austin, Texas office. Using key operational skills, this is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated and skilled Senior Assistant to partner with a strong leader in the central hub of a transformational nonpartisan advocacy campaign on a complex environmental issue, and to gain knowledge of current climate and energy matters. Key responsibilities include: Maintain busy calendar and arrange extensive travel for VP; Develop schedule effectively relative to VP”s short-term needs, long-term plan and yearly goals; Act as coordinator and manage VP”s day and maximize efficient use of VP”s time; Prepare VP for meetings including printing documents, collecting supporting documentation and researching background information; Keep informed about major projects; learn and stay abreast of current priorities as they relate to the VP”s goals and strategy; and Prepare written communications and correspondence on behalf of the VP, including research as required. Read the full job description at http://tano.org/.
  2. NEW! Colorado River Alliance seeks Environmental Educator (Austin). If you love the Texas Colorado River, then this is the job for you! The Colorado River Alliance, a small nonprofit based in Austin, TX, seeks an innovative, energetic part-time Environmental Educator to make the River come to life for thousands of central Texas students through our exciting education programs. Expect to spend your time outdoors on the beautiful grounds of the Wilkerson Center for Colorado River Education, using hands-on activities and games to teach groups of elementary-aged students about our water resources. In addition to teaching regularly, the Educator will be the “right-hand (wo)man” to our Program Coordinator, helping manage day to day program operations including program scheduling and evaluation. This is an excellent opportunity to build your program coordination skills! More at http://www.501community.org/.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.

Back to top

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 10, 2013

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Friday, September 13, 2013

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Back to top

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.
Earth Share Logo
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

Back to top