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August 6, 2015

Houston Environmental News Update August 4, 2015

R.D. Evans Community Center

CEC NOTES

  1. New Subscribers

    Thank you to our new subscribers: Kat, Lisa, Lizette, Kimina, Daphne, Mary, Alexandra, Merve, Jackie, and Mary. We hope you enjoy our emails. Please consider liking us on facebook.

  2. CEC Events–Save the Dates
    • September 3, 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 17, 2015: CEC holiday open house
    • January 28, 2016: Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour
    • March 24, 2016: CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit
  3. City of Houston Electoral Forums–save the dates

    City of Houston is holding elections for a new mayor and for several city council positions. You may have seen our save the date notice for the environmental forum that CEC is hosting with several partners on September 3, 2015, for at-large council positions. (More info to follow!)

    CEC is not the only one hosting a forum related to environmental issues. Here’s a rundown of other forums of which we know being hosted by CEC member organizations–more details to follow:

    • Brays Bayou Association -  Mayoral Forum - Monday, August 17, 2015, at 7:30 at the Gathering Place 5310 South Willow Drive
    • Blueprint Houston – Mayoral Forum - Saturday, September 26, 2015, 9:30 AM at the HCC Main Campus
    • About 15 Organizations – Mayoral Forum - Thursday October 1, 2015, in the evening at Hermann Park Garden Center
    • League of Women Voters – Mayoral Debate – October 16, 2015

    A few other events are being considered; we’ll keep you posted.

COALITION NOTES

  1. Summer Environmental Educators’ Exchange Meeting. The Summer Environmental Educator’s Exchange Meeting will be held on August 5, 2015, 6:30-8:30pm, at the Deer Park Prairie and in the old house that sits on the prairie. Attendees will meet in the house before going on a tour of the property. The Lawther – Deer Park Prairie Preserve is an unbelievable piece of living history, a rare remnant of our natural heritage – the coastal prairie – that is essentially the same today as it was thousands of years ago. To RSVP, contact EEE Secretary Edith Smith at smithedith@aol.com. http://hunstem.uhd.edu/EEE.
  2. Clean Power Plan Forum. President Obama and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will soon finalize the Clean Power Plan – the biggest step the United States has ever taken to tackle global warming. Together with the Papal encyclical, it gives new hope for an international agreement to be reached in Paris later this year. Environment Texas will be holding a Clean Power Plan Forum on August 5, 2015, 7-8pm at the Green Building Resource Center. There will be a panel discussion to celebrate these developments and discuss on how the Houston/Galveston region can reduce carbon pollution. Register at https://environmenttexas.webaction.org.
  3. Mercer Botanic Gardens Student Research Symposium. The Mercer Botanic Gardens Student Research Symposium will be held on August 5, 2015, 6-8pm. Mercer Botanic Gardens partners with colleges, universities and high schools to find motivated students who wish to conduct botanic research at our facility. This year Mercer is proud to showcase the work of these student partners that were acquired through Harris County Precinct 4’s intern program, Lone Star College – Kingwood Biology Honors program, and the Shell Nonprofit Internship Grant Program. Students and interns will present research findings on local flora as well as an ethnobotanical tour through Mercer’s Native and Endangered Species Garden. Presentations will feature data cataloging of Texas’ rare species and propagation research performed for Mercer’s endangered & rare plant seed bank, including pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) and Neches River rose mallow (Hibiscus dasycalyx). Our Ethnobotanical Outreach Internship is generously provided by funding provided to The Mercer Society through the Shell Nonprofit Internship Grant Program. Interns this year have come from: Sam Houston State University, University of Texas at Austin, and University of Houston. No RSVP is necessary to attend. All are welcome. http://www.hcp4.net.
  4. Project Wild Educator Workshop. Project WILD invites you to explore and share the fascinating world of wildlife and ecosystems using fun, hands-on educational activities. During the 6-hour training, workshop participants will sample activities and receive Project WILD K-12 activity guide. Activities are adaptable for all grade levels, integrated with core subject curricula and aligned to the TEKS.  Anyone who works with children, including teachers, home-schoolers, informal educators and scout leaders is welcome. Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and TEEAC credit available for teachers. The workshop will be held on August 8, 2015, 9am-4pm at Jesse Jones State Park and Nature Center. The cost is $25 pre-registration with an optional $5 cash donation at the door to cover snacks and supplies. Learn more at http://tpwd.texas.gov.
  5. Armand Bayou Nature Center Events. ABNC has two great events happening on August 8, 2015. First, there will be the Preserve Watch Estuarine Odyssey from 9am-noon. Bring your sense of adventure and a change of clothes as for a morning of exploring the life in these shallow water habitats. After an introductory overview lecture, attendees will pull a seine among the tidal flats and marshes to gain a greater understanding of the richness of life that hides just below the surface. This is an immersion into estuarine ecology and will enhance the understanding of ecology for teachers, naturalists, paddlers and the young at heart. The experience may also reawaken the hidden excitement of discovery with every haul of the net. The cost is $25 per person. The second great event at ABNC is Gator Night from 7-9:30pm. The evening will begin in the nature center auditorium where everyone will discuss the biology of these fascinating relics from another era. The discussion will also cover how the return of the alligator has produced interesting predator-prey relationships, initiated the formation of nesting colonies of birds and offers unique wildlife watching opportunities for paddlers in the Armand Bayou Coastal Preserve. Then attendees will get a hands on look at some of last year’s hatchling gators and discuss the unique reptilian relationship between hatchling and mother alligators. The adventure will then take attendees to explore the night bayou to view these animals in their natural habitat onboard the Bayou Ranger. The cost is $40 per person. Learn more at www.abnc.org.
  6. Beginning Birding with Gary Clark. Beginning Birding will be held on August 8, 2015, 8:30-11:30am. Let your ornithological odyssey begin in this birdwatching class with renowned birding instructor, Gary Clark. You’ll explore the beauty of birds in their natural setting while learning how to identify them using certain characteristics. You’ll discover the different types of birds you might encounter in Texas as well as a brief introduction to bird songs. Before you journey onto the trails, Gary will cover the essential equipment needed. There will be 90-minutes in the classroom and 90-minutes on a hike in HANC woods. Bring binoculars, a notebook and your favorite field guide. The cost is $40 for members and $65 for non-members. Register at http://houstonarboretum.org.
  7. Houston Urban Gardners (HUG) Meeting. The next HUG meeting will be held on August 10, 2015, at the Moody Park Community Center (3725 Fulton). From 5:30-6:30pm there will be a FREE Seed Swap for cool/cold weather seeds. Bring small bags or envelopes for your seeds, a pen or pencil, and your cool/cold weather seeds, seedlings, and bulbs. Vegetable and native plant seeds are preferred. Do not bring items/containers you wish to take home–there’s a good chance they’ll get lost. The meeting will follow the swap from 6:30-8pm. Tommy Garcia-Prats will talk about What to Plant and Do Now in your backyard garden. Learn more at www.houstonurbangardeners.org.
  8. Public Comment Period and Public Meeting: Funding for Transportation Projects. H-GAC is announcing the opening of a public comment period for candidate transportation projects for state and/or federal funding assistance. The public comment period began on July 27, 2015,, and will end on August 25, 2015, at 5pm. A public meeting will be held on  August 11, 2015, from 5:30–7:00pm at the H‑GAC offices. The public is encouraged to attend and provide comments to H‑GAC. All written comments may be submitted to Transportation Public Information, Houston-Galveston Area Council, P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777, emailed to publiccomments@h-gac.com, or faxed to (713) 993-4508. For more information, please visit www.h-gac.com. Comments received during the public comment period will be provided to the Transportation Policy Council for its consideration.
  9. 2016 Terry Hershey Texas Women in Conservation Award Nominations. Audubon’s Texas Women in Conservation Program recognizes outstanding women leaders in today’s conservation movement throughout the Lone Star State, supports opportunities in Texas for girls and women to become more involved in conservation and environmental sciences, and engages women on important issues related to conservation in Texas. Audubon Texas and the Terry Hershey Award Program Steering Committee are seeking nominations of women conservationists who have shown leadership, innovation and passion for the landscapes and wildlife of the Lone Star State. Nominations are accepted from an individual or organization that complete and submit the nomination application by the deadline of Friday, August 14, 2015. Learn more and find the nomination form at http://texaswomeninconservation.org.
  10. Groundbreaking Ceremony: Phase Two of the Gateway Project. The Nature Discovery Center invites the public to the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase Two of the organization’s capital initiative, the Gateway Project. The event will be held on August 15, 2015, at 9:30am in the pavilion area behind the Center. Phase Two upgrades include a new outdoor learning space, enlarged animal enclosures, directional park signage, new outdoor restroom with handwashing station, enhanced native landscaping, and a remodeled pavilion area. The upgrades will help the Center better serve the thousands of school children who visit the center each year as well as park visitors. Read more at www.bellaireconnect.com.
  11. UH Whole Foods Market Community Day. On August 20, 2015, visitors to the Whole Foods Market Post Oak (1700 Post Oak Blvd.) location can get a lesson in making their own natural exfoliate hand scrub and pesto while also helping out the University of Houston. As part of Whole Food Market’s commitment to the community, a portion of the sales that day will benefit the Campus Community Garden and Shasta’s Culinary Workshop. Representatives from the University of Houston will be present throughout the day to engage with visitors. The Office of Sustainability, which manages the campus garden, will be hosting an “Herbs to Heal: Make Your Own Scrubs” demonstration from 9:30-10:30am. The UH Department of Health and Human Performance will be represented by nutrition students from its Shasta’s Culinary Workshop who will host an “Herbs to Eat: Make Your Own Pesto” demonstration from 3:30-4:30pm. Learn more at http://uh.edu and RSVP at www.facebook.com.
  12. Oiled Wildlife Response Workshops. The Wildlife Center of Texas will be providing two oiled wildlife response training workshops right here in Houston! The workshops are identical in content but offered on two different dates. The first will be sponsored by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation on August 21, 2015, from 9am until 4pm. The second will be sponsored by the Texas General Land Office Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division on August 22, 2015, from 9am until 4pm. Clean Gulf Associates will be providing the Oiled Wildlife Response Trailer for washing. Both workshops will take place onsite at The Wildlife Center of Texas. These workshops fill up quickly so sign up as soon as possible! There is limited seating! 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. Please register via email at WildlifeResponse@wildlifecenteroftexas.org.
  13. Galveston Bay Foundation – Second Place Gulf Guardian Award. The Galveston Bay Foundation recently received a Second Place 2015 Gulf Guardian Award in the Civic/Non Profit Category. “Founded in 1987 by citizens concerned about the impact of several large projects on Galveston Bay, GBF is a nonprofit organization on the upper Texas coast with the mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of Galveston Bay for present users and for posterity. Through 28 years of service, GBF’s strength has been its ability to balance diverse interests to address issues and concerns related to Galveston Bay… GBF has noted many accomplishments in 2014, such as managing the first implementation of the national Incident Command System’s Volunteer Coordination Work Plan during the Texas City Oil Spill. This earned the organization a Certificate of Merit from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard. GBF served as a prime source for spill-related news, by educating boaters about the dangers of dumping wastes into the bay, as well as continued efforts to inform the public about the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund Site process and the bay’s seafood consumption advisories. In addition, recently GBF debuted the Galveston Bay Action Network, an application allowing the public to map pollution concerns/sightings and directly report them to enforcement agencies.” Read more at http://yosemite.epa.gov.
  14. Texas Coastal Watershed Program Website. The Texas Coastal Watershed Program has just announced the launch of their new website: http://valuewetlands.tamu.edu. The website serves as a clearinghouse of programs that provide payments (either direct payment or financial assistance), technical services, tax deductions, low-interest loans, and regulatory assurances for conservation with an emphasis on wetland conservation. It is particularly applicable to private landowners (non-Federal and non-State property holders) on the upper Texas Coast. The mission of this website is to provide landowners with easily accessible information and program links on ways they can economically benefit by choosing sustainable land management. More at http://valuewetlands.tamu.edu.
  15. Village Green Project. The Village Green Project is a community-based activity to demonstrate the capabilities of new real-time monitoring technology for residents and citizen scientists to learn about local air quality. The goal of the project is to provide the public and communities with information previously not available about their local air quality and engage communities in air pollution awareness. The monitoring technology is built into a park bench made from recycled materials and includes sophisticated instruments to measure two common air pollutants — fine particle pollution called PM2.5 and ozone – and meteorological conditions such as wind speed, temperature, and humidity. Weather conditions are important for understanding air quality. These projects can be found in numerous cities throughout the country, but not in Houston. However, Air Alliance Houston is trying to change that. There is currently a GoFundMe page where supporters can back the project. You can donate at www.gofundme.com. Learn more at www.houstoniamag.com.
  16. The 2015 Eco-Summit Series. The Teaming With Wildlife Coalition: True to Texas is hosting a regional Eco-Summit in the area. The Coalition wants to facilitate collaboration at the local, regional, and state-wide levels to accomplish good things for the natural resources of our state. Do you have an idea that would help wildlife? Want to know more about conservation priorities in our area? Do you need partners for your natural resource-related cause? Want to find out more about the Texas Conservation Action Plan? Register now and participate for FREE. At each Eco-Summit there will be listening sessions and facilitated collaboration between local and regional organizations. Attendees will include individuals involved in creating the Texas Conservation Action Plan (TCAP), such as land owners, TPWD biologists, academia, conservation organizations, and elected officials. You’ll also have a chance to talk about your priorities for your area, and to work with others to advance your goals, and that of natural resources in Texas. The Houston Eco-Summit will be held on August 11, 2015, 8am-4pm at the Houston Zoo. Learn more and register at www.teamingtxwildlife.com.

COMMUNITY NOTES

  1. Soil Microbiology Conference with Dr. Elaine Ingham, the Soil Foodweb. Dr. Elaine Ingham, the internationally acclaimed soil expert of our time, is coming to Houston. This seminar will be held on August 11, 2015, 8am-4pm at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This is a ‘Can’t Miss’ seminar for all landscape, land planners and farm professionals. This one event will make you hugely successful with skills and knowledge that will empower you and your business all your life. With Elaine’s information, you can harness the power of soil microbiology to make all landscapes and farms more profitable, easier to maintain, less costly and much more productive. Some of the areas covered will be: creating healthy soils and healthy plants; eliminating or dramatically reducing pest insect, disease and weed problems; increasing plant beauty/production while reducing fertilizer costs; reducing water needs; and using Natural Law to your advantage. The cost is $100 for OHBA members and $135 for non-members. Learn more and register at www.eventbrite.com.
  2. Community Outdoor Outreach Program and Workshop. Recreation Grants will be accepting applications for the Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). Tax-exempt organizations and local governments are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 up to $50,000 to fund programs meeting the Texas Parks and Wildlife mission. $1.5 million will be available to applicants introducing non-traditional constituents to TPWD related outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education programs. Applications will be accepted through the online portal called Recreation Grants Online https://tpwrecgrants.fluidreview.com. The deadline for the grant is February 1, 2016. There will be a grant writing workshop held from 9am-noon on August 18, 2015, at TPWD Region 4 Headquarters (14200 Garrett Rd). Information about the grant can be found at http://tpwd.texas.gov.
  3. Community ReLeaf RFP. This RFP is designed to select at least three new cities or metro areas to become new Community ReLeaf projects. In each selected community, American Forests’ staff works closely with nonprofit and municipal partners to address needs and help advance sustainable urban forest management and green infrastructure investment through a 3-phase process that includes a scientific analysis, catalytic tree canopy restoration project and public engagement / policy support. For each city, an average of $100,000 is provided in financial and technical support, with a goal of attracting additional resources. This proposal is your opportunity to tell the story of your urban forest needs and capacities, whether you have an advanced operation or are just trying to get started, and to help us understand the goals you wish to achieve through Community ReLeaf. Submit your application by 8pm US Central Time on August 21, 2015. If you have any questions, feel free to email Ian Leahy, Director of Urban Forest Programs, at ileahy@americanforests.org. Find the application at www.americanforests.org.
  4. 73rd Annual Bulb & Plant Mart. One of the largest and oldest horticultural events in Texas, the 73rd annual Bulb & Plant Mart, sponsored by the Garden Club of Houston, (GCH) will be held October 1-3, 2015, at St. John the Divine Church (2450 River Oaks Blvd). More than 500,000 top-quality bulbs from domestic and international suppliers from Amaryllis to Zantedeschia (Calla Lily) will be available at the Mart. Experienced as well as beginning gardeners will find an expanded collection of hard-to-find and unusual Crinums, Daylilies, Gingers, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, herbs and citrus plants, including unique offerings from the gardens of GCH members, grown specifically for the Mart. Visitors to the Bulb & Plant Mart will receive a Horticultural Guide for Houston, prepared by the Club. The booklet includes the botanical names and descriptions of the items for sale, information on planting and caring for plants, as well as a planting calendar for bulbs. Over 100 different bulb varieties can be pre-ordered before the Mart. All Pre-Orders will qualify for GCH’s sales tax exemption; minimum order is $30.00 and all orders save 10%. Orders must be received by September 1st. Learn more at www.gchouston.org.
  5. Grant Applications for Clean Water Act Projects. The TCEQ and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Exit the TCEQ administer federal grants for activities that prevent or reduce nonpoint source pollution. The TCEQ has released its Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) for Fiscal Year 2016 nonpoint source projects under the Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant Program. Applications will be accepted until September 4, 2015 (3pm CT). To access the grant application, visit the Electronic State Business Daily website. At the web site, in the “Browse Postings” section, in the line for “Agency Requisition Number,” enter 582-15-55292 and click “GO” to access this RFGA. The RFGA page contains links for “Package 1,” the RFGA instructions, ranking criteria, timetable, and other important information for applying, and “Package 2,” the application form in Word format. Learn more at www.tceq.texas.gov.
  6. Gulf of Mexico Program Cooperative Agreements 2015. The EPA is now accepting applications for grants for projects that address water quality improvement; coastal habitat and ecosystems enhancement, restoration and/or protection; environmental education and outreach; and strengthen community resilience in the Gulf of Mexico region and its watersheds. The deadline for applications is September 15, 2015. Learn more at www.grants.gov.
  7. 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.
    • SOS, Save Our Sharks
    • Biking Big Bend Ranch
    • Big City Biologists
  8. 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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