Houston Environmental News Update February 25, 2014

Houston Environmental News Update February 25, 2014

COALITION NOTES

1. Green Educational Seminar & Green Building Tour. Shipping containers are cheap and structurally capable. Why aren’t we seeing more of them here? They are not designed to be buildings, so it takes someone knowledgeable with building science to provide the right materials in the right place with the right equipment to make them comfortable, energy efficient, healthy, and durable. Otherwise, why use them? Learn more at the seminar on February 26, 2014, from 6-8pm, at the Green Building Resource Center. Two commercial projects will be presented from the perspective of a designer, a builder, and an engineer. This event is limited to 100 attendees. Register online or call 832-394-9050 prior to the event. Learn more at http://montrosedistrict.org.
2. Collaborative Access Event: The Lone Star Coastal Exchange. The next Collaborative Access Event will be held at 10am on February 27, 2014, at the Houston Wilderness Conference Room, and the topic is The Lone Star Coastal Exchange. The Lone Star Coastal Exchange is proposed by the SSPEED Center at Rice University as a landscape-scale, non-structural hurricane surge mitigation strategy for Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston and Chambers Counties. The LSCE proposes a web-based transaction platform to connect buyers and sellers of ecological services. The goal of the LSCE is to create an ecologically-based economy will allow private landowners to realize income from creation and restoration of native ecological systems that are productive and resilient to surge flooding. If successful, this effort could redefine private land conservation efforts in Texas. Learn more at http://houstonwilderness.org.
3. Exploration Green Public Town Hall Meeting. Clear Lake’s award-winning Exploration Green is holding a public town hall meeting organized by primary partners, Clear Lake City Water Authority and the new Exploration Green Conservancy, on February 27, 2014, at 7pm at St. Bernadette Catholic Church at 15500 El Camino. With an initial ground-breaking in late April this year, the project recently won the 2013 Public Space Planning Award by the Houston-Galveston Area Council and Keep Houston Beautiful “Proud Partners Award” for project plans about to begin. Area residents are encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the plans and activities, and as always, to visit the Green to see a variety of beautiful birds. Phase 1 development will begin this spring in the golf course area nearest the Clear Lake Recreation Center. To learn more about Exploration Green Conservancy’s upcoming activities and how to get involved, visit www.explorationgreen.org. There, visitors can find information about Exploration Green’s master plan, flood control, conservation and recreation efforts. The site includes information on how to donate and how to get involved with volunteer activities and special event opportunities.
4. Zoo Beats at Whole Foods Market Kirby. On the last Thursday of every month, Whole Foods will be donating all of the proceeds from bar sales at their Kirby location to benefit the Houston Zoo’s conservation efforts! Come out to the Kirby Whole Foods bar this Thursday to learn how the Houston Zoo is saving animals in the wild all over the world. Join everyone this month on February 27, 2014, 6-8pm.
5. Oiled Wildlife Response Training. The Wildlife Center of Texas will be providing an oiled wildlife response training workshop on February 28, 2014, from 9am-4pm, at the Natural Resource Center – Room 1003 (6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX). The purpose of the workshop is to certify and train personnel that are interested in assisting The Wildlife Center of Texas Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill. Certification and training are required for anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response. The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation’s role in Incident Command System, and actual hands on cleaning of oiled feathers in which participants will practice by washing an unoiled white duck. Lunch will be provided. More at www.wildlifecenteroftexas.org.
6. NatureFest 2014. Visit Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center on March 1, 2014, from 9am-3:30pm for NatureFest 2014! Enjoy a fun, educational day as noted speakers discuss birds, reptiles, the Spring Creek Greenway project, and more. Take a guided nature walk and pontoon boat tour, see and touch live animals, play games, make crafts, and learn more about other nature-related topics by visiting educational booths and viewing interactive demonstrations. Presenters include Kelly Norrid with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department speaking on “All About Alligators,” Texas Master Naturalist Sherry Summerlin presenting “What Do Spiders Do All Day,” Harris County Precinct 4’s Mike Howlett discussing “The Spring Creek Greenway,” Lauren Wilkerson of Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services addressing “Why Band Birds,” and Mario Burrull of Wild Birds Unlimited giving “Preparing for Springtime Birds.” NatureFest is a fast-growing favorite among festival goers! Learn more at www.hcp4.net.
7. 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. This is primarily for City of Houston residents, but CompuCycle says no one will be turned away. The collection event is held regularly on the first Saturday of the month. The next event will be on March 1, 2014, from 9am-3pm. Learn more Learn more on the Keep Kingwood Green Facebook page.
8. Exploring Nature: Warbler Identification with Gary Clark. Join naturalist Gary Clark to learn how to identify warblers! Gary Clark has been an active member of the birding community for over 35 years. He has a weekly column in the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express News. He has written four books as well as several feature articles in national magazines. Warblers pass through the Houston area during the spring in massive numbers on their way to breeding grounds. With the short period of their visit, this class is the perfect time to learn about these creatures. In this course, you will learn where to look for and how to identify warblers. The class will be held on March 1, 2014, from 8:30-11:30am, at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. The cost is $75 for members and $100 for non-members. Learn more at www.houstonarboretum.org.
9. Wild West Tour: Intro to Birding the Katy Prairie. Become better acquainted with your waterfowl and bird friends at Katy Prairie Conservancy’s (KPC) upcoming Wild West Tour, “Intro to Birding the Katy Prairie.” Join Master Naturalist and bird expert Glenn Olsen for basics on birds and bird watching on March 1, 2014, from 7:30-11:30am at the Indiangrass Preserve. Cost for the Wild West Tours is $50 per person, and a portion of that fee goes toward funding KPC educational programs. A light breakfast will be served. Water is provided, and light snacks are also available. A limited number of binoculars will be available to first-time birders; however, participants are encouraged to bring their own to better enjoy the experience. You can also bring a camera to take photos. Register at www.katyprairie.org.
10. Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale. Come out for the next Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale on March 8, 2014, at the Eastside Farmers Market location (3000 Richmond Ave). The Fruit Tree Sale at the Saturday Farmers Market is a smaller version of the big sale Urban Harvest holds every January. There will be a variety of trees available for sale including, but not limited to: peaches, pomegranates, plums, apples, grapes, avocados, lemons, satsumas, and oranges. You’ll find an excellent selection and receive expertise on fruit tree care from the sellers while you do your weekly shopping at the farmers market. Get there early because supplies sell out fast! Find out more at http://urbanharvest.org.
11. Mercer Mart Plant Sale. March Mart is the largest plant sale in the Gulf Coast Region and serves as the major fund raiser for Mercer, Houston’s only botanic garden. There will be an enormous assortment of hard-to-find and unusual plants that thrive in Houston area gardens. Experienced horticulturists will assist in selecting that “just right” plant for your garden. The sale will be held March 13-15, 2014 at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. Learn more at http://themercersociety.org.
12. Design the Prize. The Rice Design Alliance invites Houston-area architecture students and young design professionals to design and fabricate the prize that will be awarded to SPOTLIGHT winners for the next five years. Students at the Rice School of Architecture, the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston, the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University, and design professionals residing in the Houston area who graduated from an accredited program since 2000 may submit digital conceptual drawings and descriptions of their three-dimensional object January 27 through March 17, 2014. The competition will occur in two phases: design and production. Evaluated by a seven-member RDA competition jury, these phases will proceed according to the following schedule: Call for entries: January 31; Deadline: March 17; Announcement of semi-finalists: April 4; Deadline for semi-finalists to submit prototype: May 19; Announcement of winner: May 30; Deadline for winner to complete and deliver first award: August 8. The remaining four awards must then be delivered to RDA in Anderson Hall at Rice University by January 31, 2015. Learn more here.
13. 2014 Arbor Day Award Nominations. Trees For Houston is asking for you to help them honor Houstonians who have demonstrated their commitment to planting, protecting, and promoting trees. Nominate people, businesses, community groups, governmental agencies, and foundations whose exceptional contributions in the last year have made Houston a greener city. Winners will be recognized at the thirteenth annual Arbor Day Awards. Nominations can be based upon donations, planting projects, and preservation work. Please be specific. Include the number of trees, where they were planted, how funds were raised, what plant protected trees, and what programs were adopted. Please send photographs. The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2014. Please fax (713-840-8734), email (katherine@treesforhouston.org), or mail (Post Office Box 270477 Houston, Texas 77277) nominations to Katherine Bravo, Trees for Houston. More at www.treesforhouston.org.
14. Walk for the Woods Project – Save the Date! The 3rd Annual Walk for the Woods Project will be held on April 5, 2014, at 10am at Neighborhood Centers, Inc – Ripley House. Walk for the woods is a 5K walk that will take you on a journey through Houston’s historic East End, where many of The Woods Project’s students live and play. This walk raises money for The Woods Project, which is an organization that seeks to develop leadership capacity and life skills in low income youth through a series of outdoor education/environmental awareness programs at wilderness sites in the United States. Save the date for this great event and learn more at www.thewoodsproject.org.
15. Rice Design Alliance Summer Study Tour of Santiago, Chile. Join RDA June 8-14, 2014 as members travel south to take in the architecture of Santiago, Chile. Rice School of Architecture Professor Carlos Jiménez and noted architectural historian Stephen Fox will be the guides for a one-week journey to the country’s capital and cultural, political, and financial center, as well as nearby Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Please visit ricedesignalliance.org to read more.
16. The Energy Corridor District Traffic Mobility Survey. The Energy Corridor District needs to hear your opinions on traffic mobility in West Houston. Help steer the future of commuting by taking an important Energy Corridor Commuter Survey. This is more than a survey. Your responses will serve as a tool for The Energy Corridor District to advocate for new programs, services and funds that can improve ways we get around The Energy Corridor and West Houston. Survey results will also be used to determine how The Energy Corridor District’s funds and resources dedicated for transportation projects will be utilized. Learn more here.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

1. Veg Out! Challenge Kickoff. March is National Nutrition Month, and what better way to embrace a healthier lifestyle than by incorporating nutrient-rich vegetables into your meals? For the second year, Recipe for Success Foundation is challenging Houstonians to VegOut! by eating 30 different vegetables in 30 days, starting March 1, 2014. The VegOut! Challenge is an easy, delicious food adventure and encourages people of all ages to step up to the plate — and pile it with veggies! Joining the VegOut! Challenge is easy. Visit VegOutwithRFS.org to register, track your progress, and find great recipes, tips and resources. Everyone who completes the VegOut! Challenge is entered to win one of dozens of great prizes, from grocery shopping trips and cooking classes to dinners out. Help launch the challenge on February 26, 2014, at 11:30am at the City Hall Farmers Market for the kickoff party! Learn more at www.vegoutwithrfs.org.
2. Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center Photo Contest. Are there any people out there that love taking pictures??? Send in your photos to the Nature Center’s first photo contest! Participants must submit two photos: One photo of a Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center sign (digital submisssion); and one photo for entry into the contest (submitted via email AND regular mail). Email the photos to nature.center@mctx.org, and mail them to Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center/Photo Contest Submission/1300 Riley Fuzzel Rd/Spring, TX 77386. Photos must be postmarked by February 28, 2014. Only one submission per person. Both digital and film process accepted. Voting will take place on Facebook and in person at the Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center from March 1, 2014 through March 12, 2014. If you have any questions, call 281-364-4225.
3. AgriLife Extension Urban Farmer Lecture Series. The Urban Farmer Lecture Series of Harris County AgriLife Extension is an in-depth training opportunity designed to strengthen the knowledge of those operating a small agricultural business in an urban setting. This lecture series will apply to those operating on several hundred acres down to those operating on a few hundred square feet. Whether you are brand new to farming or have many years behind you or if you simply have an interest in farming; this lecture series will give you over 30 hours of valuable education on all aspects of farming, small animal production, and marketing your products. Topics include soil building and fertilization, goat production & management, food laws/organic vs. sustainable, aquaponics/hydroponics, small scale vegetable production, marketing for your products, garden weeds/IPM, fruit & nut production, and backyard poultry production. The fee for the workshop series is $250 per individual; 375 per couple. Tuition covers all meals, resource books, handouts, reference materials, and guest lecture transportation costs. The series will begin on March 4, 2014, and will continue on consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30pm through April 15, 2014. For more information and to register, call Diana at 281-855-5614. The series will be limited to the first 30 participants, so don’t hesitate to register!
4. Renewable Energy: Need for Governmental Support? Join UH Energy for the last topic in the 2013-2014 Energy Symposium Series on March 4, 2014, from 6:30-8pm at the Hilton University of Houston, Waldorf-Astoria Ballroom. This presentation will feature guest speakers including Congressman Gene Green – 29th District of Texas, Robert L. Bradley Jr. – Institute for Energy Research, and Moderator: Jimmy Glotfelty – Clean Line Energy. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more and RSVP at www.eventbrite.com.
5. Emissions Banking and Trading Stakeholder Group Meetings. Emissions Banking and Trading Stakeholder Group meetings have been scheduled to discuss and seek stakeholder input on issues for consideration during upcoming revisions to the Emissions Banking and Trading rules in Chapter 101, Subchapter H, Division 1, Division 3, Division 4, and Division 6. The goal of the group is to seek stakeholder input on issues related to the Emissions Banking and Trading Programs in 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 101, Subchapter H. The stakeholder group is open to the public and anyone interested may attend these meetings. There will be three meetings in the Houston area. Two will be held on March 3, 2014, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm, and the third will be held on March 4, 2014, from 9-11am. These meetings will be held at the Houston-Galveston Area Council, Conference Room A (3555 Timmons, Suite 120). Find out more at www.tceq.texas.gov.
6. 5th Annual Texas Green Home & Living Show. With the theme, “Water Matters” set for the 5th Home & Living Show, event organizers have booked LaVerne Williams, AIA, LEED AP, who is one of the nation’s top green building professionals and a Texas pioneer of energy-efficient green home design that strives for sustainability to keynote the show on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the San Marcos Activity Center at 11am. The 5th Annual Texas Green Home & Living Show will bring together hundreds of homeowners and business people for a great day of exhibits, speakers and demonstrations focused on providing all participants with many tools and resources to help them move toward a cleaner and greener future. February 21st is the cut-off to receive Early Bird discount pricing on booth fees. Booth rental fees range from $225 – $325. In addition to great speakers and panel discussions, the Show will feature tips on water conservation and the growing use of gray water, recycling, and earth-friendly products. There’s something for everyone. And admission is free! www.texasgreenshow.org
7. Environmental Health and Safety Training 2014. The Environmental Health and Safety Training is a unique three day symposium which will cover a variety of environmental compliance-related topics and will present the most current regulatory information. The symposium targets HBCUs and others who have a need to know more about environmental compliance and provide the knowledge needed to avoid costly fines. The symposium will be held March 12, 2014 to March 14, 2014, at Texas Southern University; Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. Learn more and register at www.dscej.org.
8. Save the Date! Planning for Disaster Resilience Symposium. This symposium commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center (HRRC) by bringing together past and current HRRC faculty fellows to discuss contributions to the fields of hazards and urban planning research, emphasizing the importance of the intersection of urban planning and hazards as critical for community resilience. Panel discussion topics include: Hazard Mitigation; Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning; Recovery and Adaptation; and Interpretations for Practice. The symposium will be held April 4-5, 2014, at the Texas A&M University at College Station, Langford Architecture Center. The cost is $100 ($35 for students). Learn more at http://hrrc.arch.tamu.edu.
9. Request for Concept Papers for AmeriCorps VISTA Program. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Texas State Office seeks Concept Papers for the AmeriCorps VISTA program from innovative, high-performing and outcome-driven organizations that share the AmeriCorps VISTA mission to provide long term solutions to poverty. This Request for Concept Paper (RFCP) is for placement of VISTA members contingent on Fiscal Year 2014 federal budget decisions. Organizations interested in sponsoring an AmeriCorps VISTA project in Texas are invited to submit a Concept Paper to the Corporation for National and Community Service Texas State Office through the online eGrants system. Learn more at www.nationalservice.gov. The deadline for Concept Paper Submission is April 14, 2014.
10. 2014 Summit Program – Call for Proposals. Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and The Coastal Society (TCS) are proud to announce a new collaboration to present the first ever Summit that will bring together the coastal restoration and management communities for an integrated discussion to explore issues, solutions and lessons learned in their work. The Summit will be held from November 1-6, 2014, in Washington DC. The Summit will provide timely and much-needed attention to the challenges and opportunities for coastal and estuarine restoration and management and will bring together a unique blend of people who are involved in policy, science, strategy, business, and on-the-ground restoration and management. For the first time, the Summit Program will address all aspects of coastal and estuarine restoration and management, in all habitats, at all scales, and all regions, including the Great Lakes and international locales. The Program Committee invites you to submit a proposal to present at the Summit. The Program emphasizes lessons learned and best practices in every aspect of coastal and estuarine restoration and management. The submittal deadline is February 28, 2014. To read more, visit www.estuaries.org.
11. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife. Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 PM each Saturday and on municipal access cable channels in Baytown, Deer Park, Houston, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Sugar Land, and on HCC TV. More info on the TPWD website (* indicates a segment about the Houston area).
    • Texas Tussle, A Gator Hunt
    • Wild Game Cooking: Alligator Chili Relleno
    • Outdoor Info: Leave No Trace
    • Balancing Act – Todd Imboden
12. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • February 25, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • February 26, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • February 27, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate to strong winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.

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ECONOTES Featured News Articles–For dozens of additional headlines, visit the CEC website. (You can let us know about articles, too. E-mail news@cechouston.org).

1. Shelley: EPA mandate would benefit the lives of all Houstonians (Adrian Shelley – Houston Chronicle, 2/22/2014)
   We know that ozone pollution is a public health threat in Houston. Now a study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that threat is greater than previously thought. As a result, the ozone standard is likely to be lowered by the end of the year. Houston has never met an ozone standard, but it is time for us to get serious about protecting our health. The Environmental Protection Agency has been considering lowering the standard since 2008, when President George W. Bush’s EPA revised it to 75 parts per billion. That revision defied an EPA recommendation for a standard as low as 70 parts per billion. Now the agency recommends that 60 parts per billion may be needed to protect public health.
   www.houstonchronicle.com
2. Houston Receives Bike Friendliness Award While Still Dealing With Recent Hit-And-Run Deaths (Florian Martin – KUHF News, 2/21/2014)
   In Texas, Houston joins Austin, San Antonio and The Woodlands as communities the League of American Bicyclists recognizes as bike-friendly. The city’s sustainability director Laura Spanjian accepted the award during a bike-friendliness workshop at the Westin Memorial City in west Houston. Bill Nesper with the League of American Bicyclists says Houston got a bronze award, which means the city is on the right track, but there is still work to be done. Michael Payne is the director of Bike Houston, a bicycle advocacy group. He says Houston deserves the award, but the city needs to do more specific planning to further improve bike friendliness – and not just for downtown, midtown and the medical center but beyond. One critical point is improving safety.
   http://app1.kuhf.org
3. As ships spew fumes, regulators move to halt pollution (Ingrid Lobet – Houston Chronicle, 2/15/2014)
   Twenty-two times a day, roughly 8,000 times a year, a vessel glides through Galveston Bay, bends into the Ship Channel, and docks at one of 150 industrial terminals along the 52-mile waterway, engines running. Three stories high, these engines burn a fuel 660 times dirtier than diesel. A single ship can emit more pollution than a refinery, hour for hour. Until recently they actually burned fuel that was even dirtier. New emission rules for ships near shore came into force 18 months ago. Next January ship owners will face even stricter requirements, and the following year, stricter still. The new rules are projected to bring significant health benefits to coastal residents around the country. For Houston these changes come at a critical time. Vessel traffic is increasing, and the ports are in a period of rapid expansion.
   www.houstonchronicle.com