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March 25, 2014

Houston Environmental News Update March 25, 2014

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Houston Environmental News Update March 25, 2014

COALITION NOTES

  1. Environmental Documentary Screening: Bag It. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is hosting a screening of the new, award-winning environmental documentary Bag It at the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library on March 25, 2014, at 7pm. Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. Although his quest starts out small, Jeb soon learns that the problem extends past landfills to oceans, rivers and ultimately human health. The film explores these issues and identifies how our daily reliance on plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too. Two of the most common plastic additives are endocrine disruptors, which have been shown to link to cancer, diabetes, autism, attention deficit disorder, obesity and infertility. The screening at the Mitchell Library is part of Bag It’s campaign to urge 25 towns across the country to become “Bag It Towns”. Cities including Austin, Washington, DC and San Francisco, as well as Ireland, Italy and China have already implemented similar policies to curb their plastic use. Learn more at www.thewoodlands.net.
  2. Volunteering with GBF for Oil Spill in Galveston Bay. Under the terms of a pre-existing Memorandum of Agreement with the Coast Guard and the General Land Office, the Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) will serve as the Volunteer Management Organization in response to the oil spill in Galveston Bay that took place on Saturday, March 22, 2014. A GBF representative is currently at incident command working with the incident command team. Individual volunteers have not yet been activated by incident command, but persons who are interested in serving as volunteers should they be needed may sign up now by visiting www.galvbay.org. “Communities always rally together after an event like this and we are glad to play the role of managing volunteer support should it be called for”, said Bob Stokes, Galveston Bay Foundation President. Additional developments and updates on the incident will also be posted on the Galveston Bay Foundation Facebook page.
  3. Free Trees To Save Energy and Money. In collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, CenterPoint Energy and Trees For Houston are offering 2,500 free trees to homeowners to plant around their homes to save energy. Studies show that homeowners can save up to 30% on their electric bill by strategically planting a shade tree. This program will provide qualifying* residential customers with 2 free trees, and Houston-area churches and schools up to 10 free trees. In less than ten minutes you can reserve your free trees by visiting http://energysavingtrees.arborday.org. Please remember that trees planted in the wrong place or left to grow unmanaged can cause power outages and electrical safety hazards. For more information on planting the right tree in the right place, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Trees.
  4. Houston Community Sustainability: The Quality of Life Atlas. Come learn about the best in community and district planning at the Houston Community Sustainability Symposium & Mixer, hosted by The Rice University Center Shell Center for Sustainability! The symposium will feature speakers including Jeff Taebel of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, John Wilburn from the Center for Houston’s Future, and Brian Crimmins from the City of Houston Planning and Development Department. After the presentations, you can mix and mingle to exchange ideas on ways in which the Quality of Life in the city can be improved through sustainable development policy change. The symposium will be held at Duncan Hall on the Rice University Campus, Building 25, on March 26, 2014, from 1-7pm. This is a free event for all, but registration is required. For a complete schedule of speakers, the day’s events, and how to register, please visit shellcenter.rice.edu.
  5. Climate Solutions? Houston Update. City of Houston Public Works and Engineering, in conjunction with the Green Building Resource Center and the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the US Green Building Council presents the lecture “Climate Solutions? Houston Update.” Learn about the latest concerns and opportunities from an engineer and a planner who have been involved in the discussion. Discussion topics include ‘how to get the attention of our elected official to care about the very real effects of climate change,’ ‘incentives for the general population to adopt more sustainable ways of building,’ and ‘responsible consumption of resources.’ Guest speakers include Keith Reihl Mitsubishi Electric US and Aaron Tuley, Planner at Kendig Keast Collaborative. The event will be held on March 26, 2014, from 6-8pm, at the City of Houston Permitting Center. Event is free and open to the public. RSVP at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org or by phone (832-394-9050).
  6. Green Buildings Tour: Julia Ideson Library. The Mayor’s Office extends an invitation to the public for this Green Building Tour. The tour will be held on March 28, 2014, 11am-1pm. The buildings are certified by the US Green Building Council and LEED for Commercial Interiors. The tour is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, US Green Buildings Council, and Urban Land Institute Houston. This tour is free and open to the public. More at www.facebook.com.
  7. Oiled Wildlife Response Training Workshop. The Wildlife Center of Texas will be providing two free oiled wildlife response training workshops. The workshops are identical in content but offered on different dates. The first will be sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation on March 28, 2014, and the second will be sponsored by ExxonMobil on March 29, 2014. Both workshops will be held from 9am-4pm at The Wildlife Center of Texas. Clean Gulf Associates will be providing the Oiled Wildlife Response Trailer for washing. 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. There is no cost for the workshop but space is limited. Register via email at WildlifeResponse@wildlifecenteroftexas.org.
  8. Dick Benoit Upper Texas Coast Prairie Award. The Dick Benoit Award, presented by the Coastal Prairie Partnership, is an annual award given in recognition of an individual (such as a private landowner, Texas Master Naturalist, journalist/author, docent, educator, or other volunteer) or organizational (State or Federal agency, University, Nonprofit institution, etc.) action that demonstrates excellence in prairie conservation of and/or education in the Upper Texas Coast Prairie Region (Greater Houston-Galveston area). Criteria include time commitment (describe the nominee’s dedication of time and effort towards conservation and preservation of the coastal prairie) and accomplishments (describe project(s) by the individual or organization that have benefitted conservation and preservation of the coastal prairie). The CPP Board of Directors will tally and review nominations and will confirm the winner at its April 2014 meeting. The award winner will be notified and the award will be presented at the 2014 State of the Prairie Conference on May 30, 2014. Please return your nomination to Flo Hannah (fhannah@houstonaudubon.org) or mail to: Flo Hannah, Houston Audubon, 440 Wilchester Blvd, Houston, TX 77079 by Friday, March 28, 2014. Nominations should not exceed one page.
  9. 2014 River, Lakes, ‘N Bayous Trash Bash. Once a year, thousands of volunteers gather along the Texas waterways to do their part in cleaning up the environment by participating in the largest statewide event to educate the public about the importance of our water resources – River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash®. The Bash will be held on March 29, 2014, from 8:30am-1:30pm. Start time, registration and end time vary from location to location. Please go to the individual cleanup sites for details. To get started, pick a cleanup site near you. Volunteer at any of the sites and receive free lunch, entertainment, door prizes, and a t-shirt. Learn more at www.trashbash.org.
  10. KPC Unplugged Adventure: Ranch Roundup. You’ve been to the Rodeo, now it’s time to try your hand at being a cowpoke! Join Katy Prairie Conservancy for the third annual Ranch Roundup on the Warren Ranch – Harris County’s largest working cattle ranch. Watch real live cowboys round up cattle, test your lassoing skills, act out a Texas tall tale, snap a photo with a horse, and much more! There will be cowboy nibbles on hand, but please feel free to bring your own picnic lunch. The roundup will be held on March 29, 2014. The cost is $5 per person. Register here.
  11. Garden Architecture: Design & Placemaking in the Bayou City. Architecture Center Houston is requesting submissions of Garden Architecture, Garden Designs and Installations for an exhibit to be held at Architecture Center Houston May 22, 2014 to July 18, 2014. ArCH is looking for projects that are representative of exceptional place-making through the lens of garden design in the Houston area. Categories for entry include built and un-built work. Private and public spaces will be considered. Projects will be evaluated based on quality of design, quality of construction for completed projects, and relevance to the Garden Architecture theme. The submission deadline is March 28, 2014. If you have any questions, contact mat@aiahouston.org or (713) 520-0155. Learn more about submission requirements at https://aiahouston.org.
  12. Wild For Wildlife Family Fun Day. Spend a fun day learning all about your favorite local wildlife! Meet live education animals and learn how you can help the animals living all around you. Come out to the TWRC Wildlife Center on March 30, 2014, from 1-5pm for the Family Fun Day! There will be games, crafts, prizes, live wildlife, and much more! Get your photo with your favorite wildlife in the Critter Photo Booth! Donations and service project activities will all support the wildlife rehabilitation efforts of the TWRC Wildlife Center. Please bring a roll of paper towels or one 3-roll pack of Quilted Northern Ultra Plush, and learn how baby squirrels use toilet tissue! Learn, have fun and lend a hand all at the same time! RSVP 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. Green the Prairie – Call for Volunteers. Volunteers are needed to to assist with planting 2,500 native coastal prairie grasses across 400 acres of farmland. Come out on April 5, 2014, 8am-noon, to Sheldon Lake Environmental Learning Center. Volunteers are a vital necessity for restoring the natural beauty of the surrounding lands, so please download and either email, fax or mail this volunteer form.
  15. Walk for the Woods Project! 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.
  16. Memorial Park Conservancy’s 4 The Park Fun Run. Come out for the 4-mile run/walk, kid’s 1k, and post race party benefiting Memorial Park Conservancy! The event will be held on April 5, 2014 from 6:30am-noon. When you run for the Park, you are supporting very important work, like the planting of 90,000 seedlings throughout the Park! Register here and find updates at www.facebook.com. Registration is $35 for adults and kids 13 and older and $10 for kids 12 and under. You can also skip the run and just donate to the park! All support is greatly appreciated.
  17. Houston Rockets Dog Walk benefiting Hermann Park Conservancy. Bring your furry friend to Hermann Park on April 5, 2014, for The Dog Walk sponsored by the Houston Rockets. The Walk will follow a picturesque, one-mile path around McGovern Lake and the Jones Reflection Pool. Participants will receive one ticket to the Rockets’ April 6 game vs. Denver, a commemorative T-shirt for the owners, and a giveaway for your pup. A portion of the proceeds will go to the creation of a dog park within Hermann Park. The Rockets will host an after party at Lake Plaza with various vendors, goodies and prizes for owners and doggies alike. For info or to register, click here.
  18. Prairie Celebration of the Lawther – Deer Park Prairie Preserve. Celebrate the Deer Park Prairie with a sit-down evening dinner at Monument Inn. Proceeds from the event will support conservation of Deer Park Prairie and future education programs. The dinner will be held at the Monument Inn in La Porte on April 5, 2014, at 7pm. Dinner speakers includes Dennis Jones, TPWD Park Interpreter at San Jacinto Battleground on prairie history, Pat Merkord, Executive Director of NPAT, on the future of Deer Park Prairie, and ending remarks by Jaime Gonzalez, President of Coastal Prairie Partnership. There will be a fundraising silent auction, cash bar, door prizes, and more. Menu include choice of shrimp, fish, chicken or vegetarian plus dessert. Cost is only $40/person. Registration is required; deadline is Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Learn more and register here or email HNPAT@texasprairie.org. There will also be free scheduled tours of the prairie for friends, neighbors, and supporters are on the hour from 8am-5pm. Tours last about 40 minutes. Find a list of tour options here.
  19. Earth Day at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Join the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center to get outside and explore the Arboretum for Earth Day on April 6, 2014! This annual free family event, held from 10am-2pm will feature: guided habitat hikes, face painting, intro to geocaching, puppet show, native plant sale, wildflower planting, and citizen scientists! Refreshments and discounted memberships will be available for purchase. www.houstonarboretum.org
  20. The WaterWeek Festival. The WaterWeek festival educates more than 1,800 students about the importance of protecting their water resources. This event is one of the most popular field trips in our region. Municipal water professionals and environmental educators provide hands-on activities, both indoor and outdoor, primarily suited for third through eighth grade students each day from 9:30am-1pm. The festival is held at the WaterWorks Education Center in northeast Harris County. Attendance is free and advance reservations are required. Download a WaterWorks Education Center Field Trip Request Form to register for one day of WaterWeek. Participation in the art contest is not required. Space is limited to 350 students per day. Learn more here. Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2 from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm.
  21. Jones Park Photo Contest. Take to the trails at Jones Park to capture a winning shot for the annual photo contest! Participants can enter one of two divisions: Adult (ages 16 and older) and Junior (ages 15 and younger). Categories include wildlife, scenic/wildflowers, and people in the park. Only photos taken between May 1, 2013 and Monday, April 30, 2014 in Jones Park will be considered. The submission deadline is Wednesday, April 30 and mailed entries must be postmarked by Thursday, April 24. Visit www.hcp4.net for more details.
  22. Artist Boat Kayak Tours. Come take a 2-hour tour of Galveston Island’s Coastal Heritage Preserve! Located roughly midway along the length of Galveston Island, the Coastal Heritage Preserve is a project site, and critical piece in the West Bay Corridor Initiative, a multi-agency program to protect and restore critical habitats around West Bay. The Coastal Heritage Preserve represents the essence of bay coastal margin on Galveston Bay, with a full suite of habitats, from open bay water to salt, brackish, intermediate and fresh marsh, tidal flats, and upland prairie. It also exhibits a mix of ecologic, conservation, recreation, historic, and aesthetic values. Learn more about the Coastal Heritage Preserve here. Visit www.artistboat.org to register for a kayak tour. Tours are $10. Call (409)-770-0722 for more information.

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. H-E-B Earth Day Video Contest. This Earth Day, H-E-B wants to know… How Do You Remember to Grab Your Reusable Bag? Or How Can H-E-B Help You Remember to Grab Your Reusable Bag? Submit a video with your ideas and tips by March 30th for a chance to win $5,000 for you and $5,000 for the environmental non-profit Environmental Organization of your choice. Be one of the first 50 contestants to share your video and receive a prize! To enter, record a 60 second video and upload it to YouTube. Share the YouTube link with H-E-B for the chance to win! Learn more at www.heb.com.
  2. Earth Day GreenUp. Earth Day 2014 marks the fourth annual community-wide stewardship project for The Woodlands Township. Connect with neighbors and the outdoors by joining or leading a cleanup crew bagging trash from the streets, pathways and streams. You gather your friends, and The Woodlands Township provides the bags! The cleanup will be held on March 29, 2014, and begins at 8am. There are multiple designated sites. Celebrate after you volunteer at the community-wide party from 11am-1:30pm at the Northshore Park! All participants will receive a T-shirt and refreshments. Registration is required, so if you haven’t registered yet, you can do so on the day of the event. Learn more here!
  3. Interfaith Environmental Stewardship Event. People of all faiths, or no faith at all, are invited to join with Christians, Hindus, Jews, and Muslims to care for our shared environment on Sunday afternoon, March 30, 2014, from 1:30-4:30pm. Participants will engage in hands-on environmental stewardship by working to create a garden in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Houston. The garden is a program of Almighty Ministries, an organization that empowers at-risk youth from impoverished communities through free after-school programs and summer camps. The after-school program, Youth Going Green Community Garden, educates youth on developing gardening, leadership and social skills, while providing nourishing food. The garden is located at 4706 Idaho in Houston. This event will offer garden activities for all ages and skill levels, including building a tool shed, creating more garden beds and another compost bin. Sponsoring organizations include: Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church, Congregation Brith Shalom, GYAN (Green Yatra Action Network) – a project of the Living Planet Foundation, the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, and Almighty Ministries. Contact Lisa at gcs.lrc@gmail.com or 713-372-7345 for more information or to sign up to help.
  4. Film Screening: Unacceptable Levels. A local Nutritional Therapy Association group is hosting a screening of “Unacceptable Levels” at the Cinemark 18 in Webster on March 31, 2014, at 7:30pm. The film, Unacceptable Levels, is an award-winning documentary about the chemicals in our bodies, how they got there and what we can do about it. It examines the results of the chemical revolution of the 1940s through the eyes of affable filmmaker Ed Brown, a father seeking to understand the world in which he and his wife are raising their children. Tickets are $12 and must be purchased online in advance. Learn more here.
  5. Civic Scientist Lecture Series: Advancing Civic Science in America. Come out to Rice University on April 1, 2014, 4-5:30pm, for an interactive panel session on the current state of science in America with three eminent civic scientists — Neal Lane, Ph.D.; John Mendelsohn, M.D.; and David Eagleman, Ph.D. The panelists will discuss topics such as scientific research, STEM education and science funding, drawing on their expertise and extensive involvement in engaging the public and decision-makers on these matters. Following the panel, audience members will be encouraged to share their thoughts with the panelists, who will provide commentary. This event, also a part of the Shell Distinguished Lecture Series, is co-hosted by the Baker Institute Science and Technology Policy Program, the Baker Institute Student Forum and Rice Empower. A light reception will follow. Learn more at http://bakerinstitute.org.
  6. 2014 Low Impact Development (LID) Workshop. (SSPEED) Center presents “2014 Low Impact Development (LID) in Houston” on April 3, 2014, from 8:30am-5pm at Rice Universtiy. This one day event will cover the theory and practice of low impact development for Houston and will have a distinguished group of speakers that include academia. The speakers include Dr. Phil Bedient, Rice University; Dr. Michael Deitz, The University of Connecticut; Dr. Franco Montalto, Drexel University and Dr. Allen Davis, The University of Maryland; the engineering community including Charles Penland, Walter P Moore and Bob Adair, EcoServices; and architects including Joe Webb, Webb Architects; and Kathleen English, English Architects. The goal of this workshop is to advance the state of knowledge in Houston for LID as it relates to the high intensity rainfalls and runoffs experienced in the Gulf Coast. This workshop is open to all engineers, architects, planners, developers, city and county officials, and students interested in LID. The size of the room is 60 for this event, so register early. The conference registration fee includes handout materials, snacks and lunch. Professional Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) will be awarded, upon request. Up to 7 CEU’s can be awarded for this event. The cost is $50, $25 for students. More at http://sspeed.rice.edu.
  7. 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.
  8. Film Screening: The Ghosts in Our Machine. The South Texas College of Law/Houston is hosting a special screening of the critically acclaimed new documentary, The Ghosts in Our Machine. The Ghosts in Our Machine is a multi-award winning consciousness raising documentary that gently reveals one of the most haunting moral dilemmas of our modern world. While the provocative film Blackfish made waves for exposing the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity, The Ghosts in Our Machine illuminates the plight of many other animals rescued from and living within the machine of our modern world, from captive foxes to rescued dairy cows. The screening will be held on April 8, 2014, at 6:30pm at the South Texas College of Law/Houston. Katie Jarl, Texas State Director for The Humane Society of the United States, will speak about ongoing campaigns to address these issues. Learn more here. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
  9. 5th Annual Paddlers’ Rally on the River. The Matagorda County Birding Nature Center invites all kayakers, canoeists and stand-up paddleboarders to Riverside Park to pay tribute to all of Texas’ rivers, creeks and bayous on April 12, 2014. Paddlers will cruise 9 miles on the Colorado River up to the LCRA dam at Bay City from the City’s Riverside Park, and then back. But, any human-powered boater may paddle a lesser distance by simply returning when desired. Although there is no fee to enter this fun-filled celebration of the countless contributions of our streams, or to enter the park that day, all participants are asked to register. The first 100 to do so will receive a commemorative t-shirt and welcome bag. Kayaks are available for $20/boat, single or tandem. Call 979-245-3336 or email mcbnc@mcbnc.org to enroll, reserve a kayak or receive additional information.
  10. The Progressive Forum – Closing Event. Earlier this week, Randall Morton, Founder and President of The Progressive Forum, announced the end of the theatrical events. For nine years, The Progressive Forum brought many great minds and presentations to Houston. Although the events are ending, the mission will be continued online. The closing event will be held on April 21, 2014, at 7:30pm, at the Wortham Center, Cullen Theater. The speaker, Bill McKibben, is cofounder of 350.org, which is “building a global grassroots movement to solve the climate crisis.” The organization has coordinated over 20,000 climate demonstrations in over 188 countries and has led opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, which would connect high-carbon tar-sand oil to Houston refineries. Learn more about the closing event and buy tickets here. Read the letter from Randall Morton here.
  11. Walter B. Jones Awards Call for Nominations. NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2014 Walter B. Jones Memorial Awards for Coastal and Ocean Resource Management. The award categories for 2014 are: Coastal Steward of the Year; Excellence in Local Government (up to five may be awarded); and Excellence in Coastal and Marine Graduate Study (up to ten may be awarded). The hallmarks of the awards are innovation, resourcefulness, and a commitment to balancing the needs of America’s natural coastal and ocean resources with the needs of people. Nominations are open to individuals, organizations, and state and local government agencies and their employees. Federal employees and officials are not eligible. Entries must adhere to specific submission and judging criteria and must be received by April 15, 2014. Winners will be notified this summer. For more information, visit the Jones Awards webpage or contact Patmarie Nedelka at Patmarie.Nedelka@noaa.gov or 301-563-1127.
  12. The Texas State Parks Photo Contest. Do you have a favorite photo that was taken in one of our Texas State Parks? Perhaps it’s the view from Enchanted Rock or the rim of Palo Duro Canyon, or treasured snapshots of family fun while gathered around a picnic table at Dinosaur Valley, paddling at Caddo Lake or building sandcastles on Mustang Island. Find those favorite photos or to take some new ones, because Texas State Parks is sponsoring the Picture Yourself in Texas State Parks Photo Contest. Each month Texas Parks & Wildlife features an Outdoor Activity of the Month, and in March 2014, it’s Photography Month. To encourage you to head out to a State Park and start taking pictures, TP&W is sponsoring a photography contest with three categories and three prizes. The categories are: Ages 17 and Under; Ages 18 and Over; and Instagram (for all ages) with the hashtag #myparkpic. If your photo is declared one of the three winners, you’ll receive a Hero3+ GoPro Camera, courtesy of Whole Earth Provision Co.! The contest began March 1, 2014 and runs through April 15th. The winning photos will be chosen by a team of Texas Parks & Wildlife photographers and staff. The winning photos will be published in Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine. All photos submitted will be available for reuse in Texas Parks & Wildlife publications and materials. Learn more here.
  13. 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.
  14. Houston Space Center No Impact Week. Could you go a full week without making an environmental impact on planet earth? How hard would it be to live and work without wasting precious resources? Could you live without creating any trash or using any electricity? Could you save money? Be healthier? Find out this April 19th when the No Impact Week comes to Houston! Space Center Houston is partnering with The No Impact Project for its first annual Earth Day Celebration and planning a No Impact Week Challenge. Space Center will host a kick-off celebration on Saturday, April 19, 2014. There will be activities, music, workshops, demonstrations and film screenings! If your organization is interested in having a booth at the event, coordinating an activity or getting involved in Space Center Houston’s No Impact Week Challenge please fill out this form or contact Lilly at lilly@noimpactproject.org or by phone at (347) 566-1593. Learn more about No Impact Week at http://noimpactproject.org.
  15. 2014 Thacher Environmental Research Contest. The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is pleased to invite U.S. high school students to participate in the 2014 Thacher Environmental Research Contest. This annual contest allows students the opportunity to show off their science and technology skills by submitting research projects focused on the use of remote sensing and analysis tools. Students are asked to identify a U.S. protected area of interest, and design a research project that identifies why the area is unique, why it significantly contributes to our society, how this area has changed over time, and ways remote sensing and geospatial tools can be used to monitor these environmental treasures. Participation is open to all U.S. students in grades 9-12. Entries may be submitted by individuals or student teams. Three cash prizes will be presented, with the first place student or team receiving $2,000, along with a feature in the magazine Apogeo Spatial. In addition to prizes for the winning students, the teachers of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place entrants will receive a $200 Amazon.com gift card. Click here for full contest rules and to learn how enter. Entries are due May 5, 2014.
  16. 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).
    • The Last Dance? Attwater’s Prairie-Chickens
    • Kickapoo Cavern State Park
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Radio Team
    • Mystery of the Tarpon
  17. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • March 25, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • March 26, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • March 27, 2014: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

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

  1. Spill comes at ‘worst time’ for wildlife in Galveston Bay (Harvey Rice, Anita Hassan, Lise Olsen – Houston Chronicle, 3/23/2014)
    Salvage vessels Sunday finished pumping about 750,000 gallons of heavy marine fuel oil from a partially sunken barge that leaked thousands of gallons of thick, oozing sludge into Galveston Bay after a collision with a tanker. Oil from the damaged barge spread as far 12 miles into Galveston Bay as wind and choppy water made containing the spill impossible. The spill also comes at the “worst time” for tens of thousands of shore and seabirds, an estimated 50,000 of which roost at the Bolivar Flats refuge only about two miles from where the spill occurred, according to Richard Gibbons, conservation director for the Houston Audubon Society. “We’re at the peak of the birding season. In a couple weeks, there’s a birding festival,” said Anna Armitage, a professor at Texas A&M University’s Galveston branch who is an expert on marshes and marine habitats. “This is one of the worst times for birds to be potentially exposed.”
    www.chron.com
  2. Funding found to save endangered turtles (Harvey Rice – Houston Chronicle, 3/20/2014)
    Officials of Gulf Coast states have stepped in to restore funding to save the world’s most endangered sea turtle after it was slashed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a researcher said Thursday. The Gulf of Mexico Marine Fisheries Commission, composed of representatives from each of the five Gulf states, voted Wednesday to restore $150,000 in funding needed to continue the Mexico/U.S. Binational Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Population Restoration Project, said Benny Gallaway, president of LGL Ecological Research Associates. The Kemp’s ridley is the official Texas sea turtle and nests almost exclusively in Texas and northern Mexico. The money is essential for saving the Kemp’s ridley, which has been going into decline since 2010, said Gallaway, who asked the commission to fund the project. The program collects information that is necessary to track the turtle.
    www.chron.com
  3. To Promote Recycling, a City Wants to Eliminate Separating (Neena Satija, The Texas Tribune – The New York Times, 3/20/2014)
    Houston, which recycles only 6 percent of the waste it collects, has a bold idea to improve that figure: Eliminate the extra blue bin for recycling. Under a “One Bin for All” proposal that is being considered, Houston residents would not need to separate their paper, cardboard and soda cans from the rest of their trash. Many environmental activists have expressed concern that it could discourage residents from thinking about what — and how much — they throw away. Kim Jones, a professor of environmental engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, said that mixing recyclable material with food and other waste products could make it less valuable. Contaminated paper has been rejected in the past. Questions also remain about the waste-to-energy strategy. A study released last year by S.A.I.C., an engineering and consulting firm, found that turning waste into usable energy could cost more than $100 a ton. Houston now spends $24.60 a ton on landfill fees.
    www.nytimes.com

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