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September 28, 2014

Houston Environmental News Update September 30, 2014

October is a busy season in our environmental community. At this time of year, we don’t have space in the CEC newsletter to list everything that is going on! To compensate, we’ve put together a list of some of the galas our members are hosting in the next few weeks, and you can always check our calendar to see what other fun stuff is going on.

One date stands out: October 6, 2014, is the deadline to register to vote for the next general election in Texas. Hopefully, it doesn’t matter to you because you are already a registered voter. If you still need to register, or you want to learn more about the election, visit www.votetexas.gov. Early voting startsOctober 20, 2014.

CEC NOTES

  1. CEC Going Places: Cambodia. You may remember that at this time last year, the CEC was hosting Sophany Touch, an international fellow from Cambodia sponsored by the International Research & Exchanges Board. While he was here, he worked closely with CEC Board Member Della Barbato to develop a plan to reduce litter and waste at the Community-Based Eco-Tourism village of Chi Phat, Cambodia. The exchange and the relationship resulted in a grant-funded opportunity for Della to visit Cambodia and work on the environmental project she developed with Sophany. Della’s experience has now been published by Forbes. If you would like to learn more about Della’s work with Sophany, please visit Della’s blog about the trip.
  2. Welcome new subscribers. Please welcome our new subscribers: Emma, Janine, Dion, and Richard. We’re glad you joined out community!

COALITION NOTES

  1. Nature Discovery Center Adult Lecture: Saving Our Wildlife: Wildlife Conservation Efforts at the Houston Zoo. Join us at the Nature Discovery Center (7112 Newcastle, Bellaire, TX 77401) on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 7:00 pm for a fascinating, free talk by Joe Flanagan, Chief Veterinarian for the Houston Zoo. The conservation team at the Zoo works tirelessly to help save a variety of endangered and imperiled native Texas animals. In his talk, Dr. Flanagan will describe the Zoo’s efforts to save Texas’ sea turtles, Attwater’s Prairie Chickens, and Houston Toads through breeding programs and field work. Learn more: www.naturediscoverycenter.org.
  2. Fall 2014 RSA/RDA Lecture Series: Near Future. The Fall 2014 Rice School of Architecture and Rice Design Alliance lecture series will bring to Houston five visionaries whose creative work attempts to forecast the future. The future is typically represented in literature, film, and art as a distant fantasy — flying cars, robot servants, laser beams. But these speakers — an architectural historian, photographer, production designer, architect and curator, and artist — examine the actual present conditions of our cities and combine both what is familiar and what is unexpected to speculate about the look of things in the next generation. Near Future, curated by RSA Wortham Fellow Sam Stewart-Halevy, will follow a different format from prior RSA/RDA lecture series. On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, Jean-Louis Cohen, an architectural historian and critic, will provide a solo introduction.Purchase tickets online. Learn more at http://ricedesignalliance.org.
  3. Tree & Wetland Plant Nursery Open House. Trees for Houston and the Texas Coastal Watershed Program, in conjunction with the Clear Lake City Water Authority and the Exploration Green Conservancy, are holding a joint open house for the tree and wetland nurseries at Exploration Green, October 4, 2014, 9am-12pm. Tours will be offered and information provided about volunteer opportunities in the nurseries, which are growing trees and plants for the conservation and recreation area in Clear Lake City. The nurseries are accessible from the trail that heads northeast from the bridge on Neptune Lane, approximately 2 ½ blocks north of Bay Area Blvd. Learn more at www.explorationgreen.org.
  4. Autumn Plant Sale and Market. Enjoy a day of plants, shopping, and food among the pine trees of Mercer’s West Arboretum. Browse the selection of exciting plants offered by The Mercer Society and other vendors. This year Mercer is proud to feature the Houston Orchid Society, which will offer special growing workshops, orchid displays, and more! The sale will be held on October 4, 2014, from 8am-3pm. More at www.hcp4.net.
  5. Fall Native Plant Sale. Using native plants in your yard is beneficial for a variety of reasons: they’re lower maintenance, save you money, and create habitat for a host of native wildlife – including songbirds, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Fall and winter are the best time to plant in Houston, allowing plant roots to get established before the warmer temperatures of spring and summer. Join HANC at the Fall Native Plant Sale to find over 100 Houston area native species that can enrich your landscape, beautify your yard, and simplify your life! The sale will include trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, groundcovers, grasses and meadow forbs, and more. Plants are sourced from local growers and proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation and education efforts. Members receive discounts on all plant sale purchases and enjoy exclusive sale days on Fridays. Come out to the sale on October 4-5, 2014, from 9am-4pm at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. More at http://houstonarboretum.org.
  6. Galveston Rain Barrel Workshop. Rain barrels are an efficient, low-cost method for collecting rainwater. They are placed at downspouts in order to reduce runoff into storm drains, and can be used for watering a garden or houseplants, among many other uses. Learn more at the Galveston Rain Barrel Workshop on October 4, 2014, 9:30-11:30am at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center. Pre-registration is required. The cost is $30 per registration, which includes admission to the workshop, a 35-gallon recycled barrel, and a connector kit. Registration is restricted to a purchase of two barrels per household and two attendees. Space is limited, so register soon at http://galvbay.org.
  7. Mission to Marsh. Armand Bayou Nature Center will be celebrating its 40th anniversary and honoring its neighbor and partner NASA Johnson Space Center at “Mission to Marsh” with an evening of dining, dancing and fundraising under the stars on Saturday, October 4, 2014 on the nature center grounds. Over 350 community leaders and officials with their families and friends are expected to gather under the giant tent to recall how JSC and ABNC have grown up together as local icons, and to celebrate four decades of contributions to education, health and quality of life in the Clear Lake region. Both live and silent auction items will be offered to help fund Armand Bayou Nature Center education and habitat restoration programs. The community is invited to join the celebration. Individual tickets and tables for eight can be reserved by contacting the gala coordinator at Annette@e-eventsgroup.com or 713-532-6907. More at www.abnc.org.
  8. Indoor Air Quality by Design Education Seminar. October 8, 2014, 6:00pm. Green Building Resource Center, 1002 Washington Avenue, Free and open to the public.  Sustainability Series by UL Environment  sponsored by Global A+D Portfolio:  Paul Bates, MBA, LEED-AP, BD&C, serves as the National Program Manager of Education and Training for UL Environment and is responsible for developing and delivering sustainably oriented education and training programs to a range of audiences including building operations, design professionals and students as well as professional trade organizations and consumers.  UL Environment is a third party verification entity that certifies, validates, tests, inspects, audits, and advises and trains.  HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE CREDITS: AIA (1LU), IDCEC (0.1 CEU), GBCI (1 CE) For more information visit:http://www.greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf
  9. Collaborative Grant Organizing Roundtable Discussion. Under Houston Wilderness’ Collaborative Grant Organizing (CGO) program, please come for a roundtable discussion on a “sample” collaborative grant proposal under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Grant program. During the roundtable, participants will briefly review the NAWCA grant requirements and discuss HW’s CGO process and regional collaborative project opportunities. Following the roundtable discussion, there will be a webinar broadcast on collaborative grantseeking, hosted by GrantStation, for all interested participants (webinar begins at 1pm). The roundtable will be held on October 9, 2014, from 11:45am-1pm at the Houston Wilderness Conference Room. For more information, contact holly@houstonwlderness.org.
  10. STAR Master Composter Program. Complete a 20-hour training course taught by approved MC instructors, as well as 20 hours of volunteer community service in public compost educatoin and awareness (within 6 months of completing the course). The course will include: a field trip to three local composting sites; assigned reading in composting books provided in the course, with a follow-up presentation and/or discussion; meeting with local government officials to learn more about solid waste and composting services in the community; bring in soil samples and amend poor sandy or clay soil with compost and discuss how it changes the soil and pour equal amounts of water through each mix; compare penetration and drainage rates (and, if time allows, plant seeds in each to measure growth); 8 guest speakers familiar with composting at various levels and waste diversion in general will provide the majority of the instruction and insight to the attendees; and post-course volunteer time. The 4-day course will be held from October 9, 2014 to October 12, 2014. The program will cost $40. Please RSVP to Steve Stelzer by phone or email: 832-394-9050 or steve.stelzer@houstontx.gov. Learn more on the event facebook page.
  11. KPFT 90.1 Tennis Fun Fest. Come out to the Homer Ford Tennis Center on October 11, 2014, for a fun day of tennis! This event will be hosted by KPFT 90.1. The day begins at 8:30am with a 45-minute clinic led by tennis star Lori McNeil (formerly ranked #9 in the world) and her coach and mentor, John Wilkerson. There will be 3 levels of play: Youth to age 16; Adult: Novice; Adult Intermediate/Advanced. The matches will be twenty minutes. This day will be fun for the whole family! Come out for music, food, playground, and auction. Spectators are welcome! Find out more at http://kpft.org.
  12. Big Thicket Association’s 50th Anniversary and Book Signing. The 50th Anniversary Celebration of the BTA and the 40th of the Big Thicket National Preserve will be held October 11, 2014. The event will recognize the achievements of both organizations towards the conservation of the Big Thicket. The day will begin with the membership’s annual business meet­ing and recognition of guests and presentations of awards, followed by a performance by the Alabama-Coushatta Tribal Dancers. The afternoon will be filled with numerous presentations and conservation group exhibits. Learn more at www.bigthicket.org.
  13. Storm Drain Stewards Program Volunteers. Galveston Bay Foundation and the City of La Porte are launching a Clean Water Partnership to improve the water quality in Galveston Bay. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, October 11, 2014, from 10am-2pm to mark storm drains in the Brookglen Subdivision of La Porte, TX. During this event, volunteers will install storm drain markers to educate residents and tourists that rainwater “Flows to Galveston Bay” and picks up trash and pollution in the streets along the way. Participants will learn about water quality and pollution concerns, as well as things they can do at home to help keep our bay fishable and swimmable. This volunteer event is important because trash, sediment, bacteria, nutrients and chemicals that enter storm drains travel directly to Galveston Bay without being treated. Want to join in the fun? This volunteer program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Contact Neally Rhea at nrhea@galvbay.org for more details and sign up by Thursday, October 9th. Galveston Bay Foundation would like to thank the City of La Porte and Gulf Coast Renewable Resources for sponsoring this event.
  14. BioBlitz 2014: Coastal Heritage Preserve. Calling all citizen-scientists to join Artist Boat for the 2014 BioBlitz of Artist Boat’s Coastal Heritage Preserve on west Galveston Island. BioBlitz is an all-day event in which scientist-led inventory teams work together to find, identify, and document as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as possible. This event is billed as the “ultimate scavenger hunt” and is like a wildlife “census,” greatly adding to KPC’s scientific understanding of the diverse native creatures that depend on the Katy Prairie preserve system for their survival. It will be a lot of fun! Open to the General Public, Scientists, Naturalists, Birders, Students, Families, Educators, and Volunteers. Bioblitz 2014 will be held on October 11, 2014, 9am-2pm. Lunch will be provided by the sponsors Moody National Bank and the Galveston Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers! Space is limited to please pre-register by calling or emailing Artist Boat to reserve your spot! Learn more at cechouston.org.
  15. Houston GREEN Film Series: Cape Spin. Come out to the Rice Media Center on October 15, 2014, for the next film in the Houston GREEN Film Series. The film, Cape Spin,  tells the surreal, fascinating, tragicomic story of the battle over America’s most controversial clean energy project. Doors open at 6:30pm for conversation, networking, and a light meal. The screening starts at 7:00pm. A light dinner will be served, courtesy of Dr. Pat Speck and Dry Bones Cafe. The film is free to the public, though donations are suggested and kindly appreciated. More at www.facebook.com.
  16. BPA’s 15th Annual Gala: Bayoutopia. Experience the perfection of Houston’s bayou system and take a voyage to utopia. Bayou Preservation Association hosts its 15th annual gala, Bayoutopia. This year’s gala will be held at the serene home of Michael and Natasha Bleyzer on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 7pm. This year’s celebration will be complete with al fresco cocktails, culinary concoctions by Tony’s and entertainment on the banks of Buffalo Bayou. Enjoy the charming evening and flawlessness of the Bayou City’s waterways, while escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city. Individual tickets are available for $300. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.bayoupreservation.org.
  17. Prairie Restoration Roundup. Prairie restoration is hot! Prairie plants are drought resistant, don’t need large inputs of fertilizer, and can be a boon to both cattle and wildlife – both in rural communities and even in urban pocket prairies. Join the best restorationists in southeast Texas for a day of hands-on demonstrations and insightful discussions about prairie restoration, including when to conduct prescribed burns, invasive species control, see drilling, and more. The roundup will be held on October 16, 2014, from 9am-3pm at the Rosenberg Civic Center. The cost is $35 for general public and professionals and $25 for students and Texas Master Naturalists/Master Gardeners. Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com.
  18. Trails at Twilight: Woodland Park Celebration. For 100 years, Woodland Park has provided Houstonians a haven of natural beauty. Help preserve this precious resource for coming generations. Join Friends of Woodland Park on October 17, 2014, 7-10pm, for a wonderful evening celebrating Woodland Park’s rich history and its bright future! The evening will include food, drinks, a silent auction, and dancing to the music of Zenteno Spirit. Help them reach their fundraising goal of $50,000 which will be used for a variety of exciting new park improvements The wish list includes: park benches, playground equipment, trail signage, foot bridges, game tables and much more. Find out more at www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org.
  19. Texas Fresh: Beyond Organic Dinner. On October 18, 2014, support Central City Co-op and the Last Organic Outpost by celebrating with food in the finest way – fresh at the farm prepared by Chef Jeremy Goodwin of Texas Al Fresco. Come dine in an urban oasis and show your continued support for local food that goes beyond organic. The cost is $70. Get your ticket at www.centralcityco-op.com.
  20. BPA’s 11th Annual Symposium: “Get Out to the Bayou and… Swim?” Sink or swim? Houston is known as the Bayou City since it is home to 22 watersheds. Why don’t we see people swimming, splashing around, or sitting on the banks? If you’re wondering the same thing, then head out to Bayou Preservation Association’s 11th annual Symposium, “Get out to the Bayou and… Swim” on Thursday, October 23, 2014, from 7:30am – 4:00pm at United Way. For just $50 a person and $35 for students or teachers, this year’s event will dive into the topic of swimming in the bayous and will feature keynote speakers Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg, Gary Garrett, Robert Rayburn, Susan Darcy, Jeff Taebel, Charlie Jenkins, Barnaby Evans, Pat Walsh, Mike Talbott, John Blount and Scott McCready. Learn more and register at www.bayoupreservation.com.
  21. How Sustainable is the Texas Coast? Our dynamic coastline is changing faster than ever before. Changes are visible over the last 50, 30 and even 10 years. The environmental, social and economic impacts of coastal change are readily measurable and are increasing. These impacts can make us less resilient, particularly when more intense conditions affect our coastal state. The effects result in even greater impact beyond our coast. The Shell Center for Sustainability presents How Sustainable is the Texas Coast? Are we in a “state of denial”? A workshop that presents the most recent scientific data modeled by a team of multidisciplinary researchers working together to measure what these effects will mean to us. The workshop takes place on Wednesday, October 29, 2014, at McMurtry Auditorium in Duncan  Hall, on the Rice University campus. More at http://shellcenter.rice.edu.
  22. Prairie Month! October 6, 2014 to November 15, 2014 is Prairie Month! Join the conservation community for a series of fun and informative events in 
the Greater Houston region, celebrating and restoring 
our prairie heartland! Find an event near you by visiting http://prairiepartner.org.
  23. Save the Date! 20th Annual Twilight Gala: Turning a New Leaf. Join Nature Discovery Center for the 20th Annual Twilight Gala, helping the greater Houston community discover, enjoy and value nature. For nearly three decades, the Nature Discovery Center has been sparking interest in science and nature, developing critical thinking tools, enriching educational opportunities for children, improving the teaching of science for teachers, and nourishing the inquiring minds of hundreds of thousands of people, particularly children. This year’s Twilight Gala fetes all that is new and renewed at the Center. From the fresh renovation of the 89-year-old Henshaw House to the renewal of the grounds for all of those that spend time in the four-acre outdoor classroom, Russ Pitman Park. The gala will be held on November 21, 2014, at the Houstonian Hotel. Learn more and purchase tickets online at www.naturediscoverycenter.org.
  24. Save the Date! H-GAC Fall Planning Workshop: Low Impact Development. Mark your calendars and plan to join the Houston-Galveston Area Council annual Fall Planning Workshop, to explore the world of Low Impact Development (LID). The workshop will be held on December 5, 2014, at the H-GAC offices.
  25. Our Great Region Implementation Network Surveys. H-GAC is working on a follow-up report to the Implementation Network event (August 27) that provides an assessment of the region’s capacity and momentum to implement the strategies in the Our Great Region 2040 plan. They are asking those who were unable to attend the Kickoff event in August to help out by providing information about your organization’s current initiatives and challenges in implementing the strategies presented in Our Great Region 2040. The questions in the surveys mirror the exercise that attendees of the event completed. Each survey represents one of the plan’s Big Idea focus areas. You may take as many or as few as you like. Each survey will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. To be included in the asessement, please complete the surveys no later than October 16, 2014.
  26. Earth Day Art Contest. Earth Day celebrates our planet’s wonders. Show what you see when you think of clean air, water, and land. Show your vision of how we can honor, celebrate, and protect our environment. Students in grades 3 through 12 in the Houston area should enter their artwork by January 31, 2015. Find the rules at www.earthdayhouston.org.
  27. Additional Upcoming Events

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COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. 2014-2015 Energy Symposium Series: Critical Issues in Energy. The second annual Energy Symposium Series will be held on September 30, 2014, 5:30-8pm at the University of Houston. The topic of this event is US Energy Independence: Good for the Nation? Guest speakers include Edward Chow, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Ed Hirs, Hillhouse Resources LLC and University of Houston, and Jane Kleeb, Bold Nebraska. The event will be moderated by Dave Fehling of Houston Public Media. This is a free event. Visit www.eventbrite.com to register.
  2. The Alternative Reality of Climate Skepticism. Come out to the James A. Baker III Hall at Rice University on October 1, 2014, noon-1pm, for a presentation on “The Alternative Reality of Climate Skepticism.” While scientists overwhelmingly believe that climate change is a reality, many Americans remain unconvinced by the research and data. Andrew Dessler, an atmospheric scientist at Texas A&M University who studies both the science and politics of climate change, will describe how climate skeptics interpret scientific data to support their particular worldviews. Learn more at http://bakerinstitute.org.
  3. Organic Pest Management and Plant Health Workshop. You can’t miss this all day workshop featuring 7 classes offering real-world organic pest and plant management knowledge aimed at professional pesticide applicators, landscape contractors, and irrigators. Applicators may recieve 5 CEU credits and TNLA is offering 7 credits. The workshop will be held on October 3, 2014, from 7:30am-4pm at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office. Tickets are $50 for members and $65 for nonmembers.
  4. Eco-Schools USA –The Path to Energy Efficiency and Problem-Based Learning. National Wildlife Federation is conducting two Eco-Schools USA workshops for HISD Science teachers in October. The workshops are timed to help teachers meet the required energy concepts that they cover in the fall and will focus experiential learning. Using the Eco-Schools USA 7-STEP framework, students lead the way to reducing energy consumption on their campus by developing and launching an energy reduction campaign. Teachers will learn how to help students garner full campus and community support for and participation in their projects. They will learn how to successfully support their students required learning objectives in science and help them to develop important 21st Century work skills including problem solving, leadership, collaboration and innovation. Grant opportunities of $500 will be available to schools that send a team of 2-3 teachers (including 1 or 2 science teachers and 1 Green School Champion). Both Houston workshops will be held in October. The workshop for elementary schools will be held on October 4, 2014, from 9am-4pm at James Berry Elementary School. The workshop for middle schools will be held on October 11, 2014, 9am-4pm at Marcile Hollingsworth Science Center. If you would like to register, or if you have questions, email Fowler@nwf.org.
  5. SXSW Eco 2014 (Austin, TX). SXSW Eco 2014 is approaching! SXSW Eco attracts a global community to explore, engage and co-create solutions for a sustainable world. A uniquely inclusive platform for professionals, SXSW Eco examines the critical challenges of our times through a kaleidoscopic lens of design innovation, policy tipping points, technological breakthroughs, conservation practice, entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of creativity to transform inspiration into action. This 3 day event will feature speakers, sessions, workshops, networking opportunities with experts and industry leaders, film screenings, receptions, SXSW Eco Awards Ceremony, closing party, mentor sessions, exhibition, meet ups, startup central, and more! SXSW Eco will be held October 6-8, 2014, in Austin, TX. Register by September 12 to save at http://sxsweco.com!
  6. Coastal Resiliency Conference: Living on the Edge. Galveston Historical Foundation’s Center for Coastal Heritage, in partnership with University of Texas Medical Branch’s Center in Environmental Toxicology, is organizing a three day conference on coastal resilience scheduled for October 8-10, 2014. This conference will provide a platform to discuss the challenges and strategies for building and preserving a resilient Gulf Coast. Attendees will explore the connections between the natural environment and the cultural heritage of coastal populations. The cost is $120, and $25 for students. Register at www.galvestonhistory.org.
  7. Peckerwood Garden Conservati​on Foundation Luncheon. Peckerwood Garden Conservation Foundation (PGCF) presents its inaugural Taking Root fund raising luncheon on October 9, 2014, featuring nationally renowned landscape architect Thomas Woltz, principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz, who developed the long-range master plan for Memorial Park. Proceeds from the event will go toward the long-term management and preservation of Peckerwood Garden as a unique botanical treasure. Peckerwood Garden is the culmination of John Gaston Fairey’s vision and passion for a majestic, living palette of artistic textures and colors, showcased in a garden that shows its respect for the environment through the use of natural terrains and conservation. It is also a place that maintains a habitat for biodiversity and a tranquil space for humans to enjoy nature. Tickets for the luncheon are $125 per person. Contact Jennifer Cate with questions. More at http://aggregator.time.ly.
  8. Matter and Meaning: Exploring the Religion and Science Dialogue. Matter and Meaning: Exploring the Religion and Science Dialogue is the culminating public event of the Religious Understandings of Science (RUS) study. This day-long conference will include breakout sessions on Religious and Scientific Dialogue on Human Genetic Reproductive Technologies and Religious Responses to Environmental Concern. Keynote panelists include Alejandro Chaoul (University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center), John Evans (University of California San Diego), Katharine Hayhoe (Texas Tech University), Ronald Numbers (University of Wisconsin-Madison), John Mark Reynolds (Houston Baptist University), and Norbert Samuelson (Arizona State University). The event will be held on October 24, 2014, at 8:30am at Rice University. More at http://houston.eventful.com.
  9. Biennial Scientific Symposium. Register now for the Children’s Environmental Health Institute’s Eight Biennial Scientific Symposium: Prenatal Environmental Exposures as a Determinant of Early Childhood Disease. Hear global experts challenge us to elevate critical  thinking on ways to address the prevention of environmental health risks to children. Keynote speakers Jeanne Conry, MD, PhD, and Philippe Grandjean, MD, PhD, among other distinguished speakers will provide prevention-oriented research on how toxic chemicals in the environment harm our ability to reproduce, negatively affect pregnancies, and are associated with numerous health problems and chronic disease. The symposium will be held November 13-14, 2014, at McKinney Roughs Education Center, close to Austin Texas. Learn more and register at http://cehi.org.
  10. Flood Control District Completes Buffalo Bayou Maintenance Project. The Harris County Flood Control District has completed an erosion repair project on the north side of Buffalo Bayou just east of the Dairy Ashford Street bridge. The pedestrian and bike trail near the construction site that was temporarily closed during the maintenance project has been repaired and reopened by Harris County Precinct 3. The Flood Control District plans to be back on site to plant trees this fall. For more information about the maintenance project on Buffalo Bayou in Terry Hershey Park, or if you have questions or comments, please call the Flood Control District’s Project and Study Information Line, which is monitored daily, at 713-684-4040 or email ProjectCommunications@hcfcd.org.
  11. 2015 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards, the state’s highest environmental honor. These annual awards recognize achievements across Texas that significantly reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and prevent pollution. Winners are honored at an awards banquet, held at the culmination of the agency’s Environmental Trade Fair and Conference, May 5-6, 2015. Each year, applicants consist of individuals, communities, companies, or organizations whose bold efforts within the state contribute to the protection of Texas natural resources. Award categories include: Agriculture, Civic/Community, Education, Individual, Innovative Operations/Management, Pollution Prevention, Technical/Technology, Water Conservation, and Youth. Deadline for applications is October 3, 2014. Read more and apply at www.tceq.texas.gov.
  12. Captain Planet Foundation Small Grant. The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million. Grants are made for activities that conform to the mission of the Captain Planet Foundation and MUST have all three of the following to be considered for funding: be project based; projects must be performed by youth; and projects must have real environmental outcomes. Captain Planet Foundation will accept small grant requests for amounts between $500 – $2,500. Preferential consideration is given to requests who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding for their projects. The application for spring and summer projects is September 30, 2014, and January 31, 2015, for fall and winter projects. Read more and apply at http://captainplanetfoundation.org.
  13. International Low Impact Development Conference 2015. The International Low Impact Development Conference 2015 will be held January 19-21, 2015. This conference will highlight new and continuing work including research developments and community adoption of LID throughout the United States and internationally. In addition, this conference will focus on the application of LID technology in the Southwest region of the US and will also include a mini-symposium on arid region LID. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from CNN’s 2013 Hero of the Year, Chad Pregracke, whose presentation will be “Helping to Clean America’s Rivers: From the Bottom Up.” Learn more at http://content.asce.org.
  14. Additional Community Announcements  
  15. 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). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.
    • Above Texas: Under the Water
    • Parks & Wildlife People: Alejandro Farias
    • The Last Stand – Coastal Prairie
  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.

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