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Houston Environmental News Update May 12, 2015
May 12, 2015

Houston Environmental News Update May 12, 2015

With only about two more weeks of school, many parents are thinking about summer camp for their kids and either gloating or panicking. The luckiest parents–and kids–will be at one or more of our member groups’ camps and similar programs. In case you–like me–are not yet gloating, here are some possibilities (in an unusual but logical order):

Of course, many of our member groups provide programs for other summer camps–so these aren’t your only opportunities for kids to learn about the environment over the summer.

You get a prize if you correctly guess the order in which they are listed. If I missed a program, let me know and I will highlight it next week.

On another note… You can celebrate Endangered Species Day on Friday by checking out the local Fossilized in Houston effort.

CEC NOTES

  1. New Subscribers.Thank you to our new subscribers: Cynthia and Prentiss. We hope you enjoy our emails. Please consider liking us on facebook
  2. CEC Events
    More details soon.

    • July 9, 2015: Happy Birthday CEC open house
    • Late Summer 2015: Environmental Forum for Contested At-Large City of Houston Council races. Please contact rachel@cechouston.org if you would like to be a planning or promotional partner for the event.
    • November 12, 2015: CEC holiday open house
    • January 28, 2016: Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour
    • March 24, 2016: CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit

COALITION NOTES

  1. “Climate Shock: The Economic Consequences of a Hotter Planet” – Gernot Wagner. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is hosting a conservation lecture with Gernot Wagner on May 12, 2015. Demonstrating that climate change can and needs to be dealt with (and what could happen if we don’t), economist Dr. Gernot Wagner of the Environmental Defense Fund will give an authoritative call to arms for tackling the defining environmental and public policy issue of our time. Wagner will present the likely repercussions of a hotter planet, drawing and expanding from work previously unavailable to the general public. He will show how economic forces along with sensible climate policies can help prevent a catastrophic future. A book signing of Wagner’s new book Climate Shock: The Economic Consequences of a Hotter Planet will follow lecture. Tickets are available for CEC readers for $13 ($5 off!) with coupon code Lec$5off. For special price of $13, present coupon code Lec$5off at HMNS Box Office or 713-639-4629 (Coupon not available online). Learn more about the lecture at www.hmns.org.
  2. 2015 TWRC Summer Wildlife Camp. The TWRC Wildlife Center will be hosting a series of weekly summer camps for kids, ages 7-12. Campers will get to see wonderfully wild and wacky creatures, and will be able to lead their very own safari adventures in their backyards after learning about the wildlife and habitats in Texas. Each week, campers will be tasked with caring for special animals throughout the week, and even practicing veterinary techniques like examining x-rays, using microscopes, and more. To register, visit www.twrcwildlifecenter.org. Volunteers and sponsors are also needed.
  3. San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site Webpage Update. Galveston Bay Foundation has just updated their San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site Webpage with EPA presentation slides from the open house on April 30, 2015, a proposed plan schedule announcement from the EPA (July 30, 2015), and GBF/HARC comments on the draft Feasibility Study. Learn about the background of the site as well as proposed cleanup solutions. The latest EPA information will be available for review and public comment in December 2015. Meanwhile, the website will be updated with the latest information and documents as they become available. Learn more at http://galvbay.org.
  4. Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting. The Spring Environmental Educators’ Exchange meeting will take place on May 13, 2015, 4:30-6:30pm at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Come explore the sanctuary, which provides an important home for native wildlife within its 17.5 acres of hardwood and pine forest and freshwater habitats. The mission of the Houston Audubon Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary is to provide an urban wildlife sanctuary for native plants and animals and to provide education about the natural environment to Houstonians of all ages. An average of 10,000 people participate in hands-on, environmental education programs at the sanctuary each year. The refreshments are pot-luck….bring something to share with one another. But, don’t let the fact that it is pot-luck deter you from attending….even if you don’t bring something to eat/drink, come out! Learn more at http://hunstem.uhd.edu.
  5. 11th Annual Energy Corridor Bike to Work Day. The Energy Corridor District will host its 11th annual Bike to Work Day celebration on May 14, 2015, from 6:30-7:30am at the Terry Hershey Park gazebo (15342 Memorial Drive). Enjoy music, a complimentary breakfast and refreshments, giveaways, raffle prizes and fun! New to bicycle commuting? Unsure of the best bike route? Sign up for Bike Buddies on the Energy Corridor website and you will be matched with an experienced cyclist with a similar route. You can also explore and download cycling route maps at www.energycorridor.org.
  6. TWRC Guest Speaker Series. Join TWRC Wildlife Center on May 14, 2015, 7-8pm for a presentation by Todd Merendino of Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited is the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. DU got its start in 1937 during the Dust Bowl when North America’s drought-plagued waterfowl populations had plunged to unprecedented lows. Determined not to sit idly by as the continent’s waterfowl dwindled beyond recovery, a small group of sportsmen joined together to form an organization that became known as Ducks Unlimited. Its mission: habitat conservation. To RSVP, please contact education@twrcwildlifecenter.org. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Learn more at www.twrcwildlifecenter.org.
  7. STAR Master Composter Program. Become a certified YardWise Master Composters (MC) by completing a 20-hour training course by approved MC instructors, as well as 20 hours of volunteer community service in public compost education and awareness (within six months of completing the course). The STAR Master Composter Program will be held May 14-17, 2015, at the Green Building Resource Center. The cost is $40. MC training courses will provide at least 16 hours of classroom time to be supplemented with four hours of hands-on training. MC training courses will utilize reference texts and curriculum given by Steve Stelzer, Program Director. Eight 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. For more information visit: www.greenhoustontx.gov.
  8. Blanket Bingo at Market Square Park. Blanket Bingo at Market Square Park is back! Come out to Market Square Park on May 14, 2015! Bring your blanket, lawn chairs or snag one of the tables at the park for a night of music and great prizes. Bingo starts at 7pm but sales for Bingo cards begin at 6pm! Come early as there are only 375 bingo cards available for purchase. The cost is $10 for 9 games and $1 for daubers and additional games (cash only). Learn more at http://buffalobayou.org.
  9. Hardy Perennials – Katy Prairie Bash 2015. Get ready to party hardy with Chairs Debbie and Chris Patton at the 2015 Katy Prairie Bash honoring the Garden Club of Houston for its 84-year commitment to public green spaces, while raising critical funds to help the Katy Prairie’s own green spaces flourish! The bash will be held on May 14, 2015, 7-10pm. Individual tickets are available for $150. Learn more at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com.
  10. Bike to Work Day. May is National Bike Month, and there are many bike to work days around the city.
  11. Cigna Sunday Streets – East End. Sunday Streets is a wonderful chance to explore a street of Houston without cars. With no cars on the road, you’ll be able to walk, run, dance, bike or play in the streets with friends, family and neighbors. It is a FREE family-friendly opportunity to be physically active and enjoy active transportation, as well as connect with neighbors in your community. The next Sunday Streets will take place on May 17, 2015, 12-4pm on Navigation Blvd. Learn more at www.facebook.com.
  12. Brays Bayou Association Meeting. The next Brays Bayou Association Meeting will be held on May 18, 2015, at 7:30pm at The Gathering Place. Gary Zika, HCFCD, Manager, Project brays, will update attendees on project status and what to expect in the near future. Contact Bob Schwartz, President, at 713-723-7230 with any questions.
  13. Bringing Back Main Street Guide Launch. H-GAC will celebrate the release of a new guide on downtown revitalization on May 20, 2015, from 9:30-11am at Another Time Soda Fountain (803 Third Street, Rosenberg). Bringing Back Main Street provides an overview of how communities can create vibrant downtowns, highlighting successful revitalization efforts implemented by small cities throughout Texas. Participants in the launch celebration will learn about revitalization and will have the opportunity to network with those working to improve the region’s downtowns. Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com.
  14. Green Building Tour: Tree House Memorial City. The next Green Building Tour will explore the Tree House Memorial City office building. This building, designed by Studio Red Architects, is a LEED Platinum certified two-story building that uses multiple sustainable design strategies for energy efficient lighting, water conservation, and efficient power consumption. This green-roofed project uses 50 percent less energy than baseline office buildings for which it has been awarded an innovative technology credit award by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It has become the highest rated LEED Platinum Core and Shell Building in Texas. The tour will be held on May 21, 2015, from 5:30-8:30pm. Seating is limited. The cost is $25 for members and 35 for non-members. Appetizers and beverages are included. Learn more and register at http://usgbctexasgulfcoast.org.
  15. Bay Day – Organization Sign Up. The Galveston Bay Foundation is seeking some additional environmental organizations to host booths at the Bay Day event on May 23, 2015, from 11am-4pm at the Kemah Boardwalk. Bay Day is a one-day celebration presented by the Galveston Bay Foundation and numerous community partners. It is a fun event for families and adults that annually draws more than 5,000 attendees to experience and learn more about Galveston Bay, the largest bay in Texas and one of the most productive estuaries in the country! This event is free to the public and is family-friendly. Booth space is free for non-profits and government groups, and for sponsors. It includes a 10×10 tent, table, and two chairs. Space is limited, so sign up today! Any groups interested in participating should read and fill out the exhibitor application (BayDay_Exhibitor_Application_2015), and submit the document no later than May 8th. For more information, please contact Emily Ford at eford@galvbay.org.
  16. NPSOT-Houston Meeting. The Native Plant Society of Texas – Houston will be having a special meeting on May 21, 7-9pm at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Ahlene Shong & Jamie Scott will be presenting: “The Creation of a School Garden.” Ahlene Shong was a geologist for 9 years, followed by being a science/math teacher for 21 years. A certified Texas Master Naturalist, Shong is currently volunteering for the Katy Prairie Conservancy in the Prairie Builder School program. Jamie Scott is the Science Department Chair at Carnegie Vanguard High School and teaches Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. Prior to starting her teaching career, she was the Houston Program Manager for the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a non-profit that engages youth in hands-on service work in national and local parks. Learn more at http://npsot.org.
  17. Environmental Enforcement Roundtable: Dealing with Abandoned Buildings and Substandard Structures. Do you have problems in your community with abandoned or substandard structures and the illegal dumping that likely comes with them? Would you like to learn more about the options available to you in handling them? Then join H-GAC to hear from the City of Houston’s Department of Neighborhoods as they walk through their process.This Environmental Enforcement Roundtable will be held on May 28, 2015, 10am-noon, at the H-GAC offices. For more information or to RSVP please contact Erin Livingston at 832-681-2525 or erin.livingston@h-gac.com. More at www.h-gac.com.
  18. LUNG FORCE Walk – Houston. Come out for the LUNG FORCE Walk on May 30, 2015, at the University of Houston (Central Campus). With your participation and help, the LUNG FORCE Walk will make a difference in lives that desperately need it. Register today, because now is the time to raise our voices against lung cancer—and for lung health. Participation in LUNG FORCE Walks is free. However, LUNG FORCE is a fundraising event and all participants are encouraged to raise funds. Kick off your fundraising by making a personal donation of $25 toward your fundraising goal of raising a minimum of $100.Learn more and register at http://action.lung.org.
  19. Summer Salon Series – “Minority Report: Why So Few Vote; When Will Hispanic Political Influence Reflect Demographic Reality.” The Center’s Summer Salons are a series of casual breakfast conversations, bringing big-picture thinkers and regional experts together with broader audiences, for an extended deep-dive discussion of our Indicators research, with a focus on the next steps for creating a sustainable and competitive Houston. There will be three events over the summer. The first event, “Minority Report: Why So Few Vote; When Will Hispanic Political Influence Reflect Demographic Reality,” will be held on June 3, 2015, 7:30-9:30am at The Junior League of Houston, Inc. The cost is $25 per person and includes a full breakfast buffet. Learn more and register at https://interland3.donorperfect.net.
  20. Buffalo Bayou Park’s Grand Opening. Come celebrate the grand opening of Buffalo Bayou Park on Saturday, June 20, 2015! For this free, public event, BBP will highlight various destinations and amenities in the 160-acre park that stretches from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street. Enjoy a day full of activities ranging from walking tours, lectures, children’s crafts, recreational opportunities, and programming that will showcase Houston’s diverse arts community, live music and food. Learn more at http://buffalobayou.org.

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. ENERGY STAR® Sales Tax Holiday. During Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales and use taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products. The 2015 ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. (after midnight) on Saturday, May 23, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day). Qualifying products will display the ENERGY STAR logo, which may appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Earning the ENERGY STAR means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by these two federal agencies. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required. Learn more at www.window.state.tx.us.
  2. 2015 Coors Light Líderes Program. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015 Coors Light Líderes program, which identifies the brightest and most-deserving emerging leaders in the community! Of the nominees, 12 individuals will be selected and highlighted through the Coors Light Líderes website, print materials, and online ads. The nominees will also be featured on the Coors Light Líderes Facebook page for contributions to their communities. One person will be selected by a public online voting process and named the Coors Light 2015 Líder of the Year. The winner will receive a $25,000 grant for his/her nonprofit to implement a leadership project. All 12 nominated leaders will join the more than 120 Coors Light Líderes who through an interactive website, Facebook and private LinkedIn page can access resources about professional development, education, and networking. Líderes may also be invited to special Coors Light brand-sponsored events. Learn more and submit your nomination at CoorsLightLideres.com. The deadline for nominations is June 5, 2015.
  3. STAR Houston Luncheon: Challenges of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs). The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) luncheon will be held on May 14, 201, 11am-1pm at United Way. The topic will be “Challenges of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs): How recycling economics affect your bottom line.” The guest speakers will be Brandon Cleary with Birch Plastics and Darien Ross with Republic Services. The cost is $26 to attend. Register at http://ezregister.com.
  4. Shale Gas & the Potential for U.S. Energy Independence – A Rational Middle Energy Series Panel Discussion. A decade ago, natural gas was perceived as an expensive resource with a dwindling supply. Now, with a technically recoverable reserve of 2,515 trillion cubic feet in the U.S. alone, and prices as low as $2.250/MMBtu, it has made a name for itself as an economically viable energy source that is cleaner than its counterparts. But with the environmental concerns about fracking, it remains unclear how long the natural gas boom will last. How will we balance a sustainable energy future? Come out on May 27, 2015, 7-8pm at The Junior League of Houston, for a film screening and panel discussion, moderated by Rational Middle Director and Producer, Gregory Kallenberg. Mr. Kallenberg previously directed and produced Haynesville: A Nation’s Hunt for an Energy Future, and has written for Esquire Magazine, and The New York TImes, among others. He has spoken about the future of energy at TEDx, Bucknell University’s Environmental Symposium on Shale Gas, and Rice University’s “Distinguished Speakers Series. Learn more at www.wachouston.org.
  5. Addressing Conflict with Deer in Our Communities – An Interactive and Engaging Workshop. White-tailed deer are a valuable natural resource enjoyed by many across Texas. However, when deer numbers escalate and they become overabundant, deer can threaten wildlife and plant diversity and cause emotionally charged conflict within communities. There are very real economic, cultural, health, and ecological concerns. Texas communities regularly confront these issues. Come out to Texas State University on May 29, 2015, for a workshop that addresses these topics. This workshop will allow attendees to learn from the experiences of others and hear from nationally recognized experts currently working with overabundant deer issues. The cost is $55, which includes lunch. Register at www.texas-wildlife.org.
  6. 10th State of the Bay Symposium – Call for Presenters. The Galveston Bay Estuary Program is pleased to announce that the 10th State of the Bay Symposium will be held January 13-14, 2016 at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston, Texas. The theme of this symposium is “20 Years of Successfully Preserving Galveston Bay.” Through science, collaborative partnerships, public education, and hard work, the Galveston Bay Estuary Program and partners have made great progress in protecting the bay’s ecological and economic health—as well as the public health. The Estuary Program welcomes abstracts for oral and poster presentations and panel sessions that address coastal and estuarine restoration and management, in all habitats, at all scales in all regions of Galveston Bay. Abstracts must be received in electronic format at the Estuary Program no later than May 15, 2015 via e-mail (gbep@tceq.texas.gov). Learn more: 10th State of the Bay Symposium Call for Presentations.
  7. Community Solutions 2015 Host Applications. Does your organization value increasing cultural diversity in the workplace or forging international partnerships with like-minded individuals and institutions? Are you interested in having an experienced community development professional join your organization for four months at no cost? Does your team need a highly skilled expert to take on an upcoming project? Whatever the case may be, hosting a 2015 Community Solutions Program (CSP) Leader is an opportunity you won’t want to pass up. The Community Solutions Program is a leadership development program for mid-career professionals working in community development from over 60 countries worldwide. CSP Leaders spend four-months in the U.S. working with selected host organizations while focusing on one of the following four areas: environmental issues, tolerance & conflict resolution, transparency & accountability, and women & gender issues. Interested organizations should fill out the Host Interest Form by May 15, 2015. Learn more at www.irex.org.
  8. Teacher Trainings: Down Under Out Yonder (DUOY) and Intracoastal Waterway Wetlands Expedition (IWWE). A DUOY coral reef ecology underwater workshop for educators will be held from July 11-15, 2015. This 5-day expedition includes a 2-day Corals to Classrooms workshop followed by three days of diving the coral reefs of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, which harbors the northernmost coral reefs in the continental US, providing habitat for a variety of fish, turtles, and sharks. Participants return to their classrooms filled with innovative ideas for teaching biology, oceanography, geology, physical science, government, and environmental science. Another workshop, IWWE, a coastal habitat ecology workshop for educators, will be held from June 15-19, 2015. Cruise the estuaries of coastal Texas from the Louisiana border to Freeport by way of the Intracoastal Waterway during this five-day expedition. Along the way, participants explore diverse habitats as they learn about the natural and human threats to our living coast. Educators of all levels walk away from this experience with new knowledge and skills for educating students about coastal ecology (and economy). For more information, call 361-882-3939 or email info@gulfmex.org or visit http://www.gulfmex.org/education-training/duoy/.
  9. Additional Community Announcements
  10. 5/15/2015 (deadline): IREX Community Solutions 2015 Host Application Due. CEC hosted Sophany Touch, a Community Solutions Fellow, two years ago and it was an amazing opportunity. We highly recommend participating. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!
  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). For a preview, visit TPWD’s YouTube Page.
    • Lizards on the Move
    • Young Guns
    • Lone Star Land Steward: Hillingdon, Laurels & Leslie Ranches
    • Stephen F. Austin State Park
  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.
    • May 12, 2015: Green–Good. Lower incoming background levels and moderate winds should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • May 13, 2015: Green–Good. Lower incoming background levels and moderate winds should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • May 14, 2015: Green–Good. Lower incoming background levels and moderate winds should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • May 15, 2015: Green–Good. Lower incoming background levels and moderate winds should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.

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