Houston Environmental News Update September 2, 2015

We’re excited about the environmental forum we are hosting for candidates for at-large city council members on Thursday evening. Seventeen candidates will be answering environmental questions posed by our moderator, Charles Kuffner of offthekuff.com, and our readers have submitted some excellent questions. Please join us to learn what the candidates think about environmental issues, and show them that our community cares about what our elected officials think about the environment!

CEC NOTES

1. Environmental Forum for Houston City Council At-Large Candidates
   
   Please join the CEC on Thursday, September 3, 2015, to hear from all the at-large city council candidates about how they view environmental issues around Houston.Charles Kuffner from the political blog, Off the Kuff, will be our moderator and we’ve co-sponsored this event with over 25 different Citizens’ Environmental Coalition partners, including the League of Women Voters and the Hermann Park Conservancy.
   The event will be at the Cherie Flores Pavilion in Hermann Park and will run from 6 until 7:30.
   Please RSVP here and make plans to bring a friend to hear about how City Council candidates view our issues like clean air, clean water, transportation, and more parks.
   Again, the event details are:
   Date:Thursday, September 3, 2015
   Location: Cherie Flores Pavilion in Hermann Park
   Time:6:00 until 7:30 pm
   RSVP here and if you’d like to submit a question for consideration by our moderator, feel free to email rachel@cechouston.org. You can also visit the event page on facebook.
2. New Subscribers
   

   Thank you to our new subscribers: Samantha, Kelsie, Lisa, Ryan, Kaylan, Justin, Sarah, Julia, Kate, and John. We hope you enjoy our emails. Please consider liking us on facebook.

3. CEC Events–Save the Dates
   • 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
4. 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:

   • Houston Mayoral Panel Discussion on Growth & Climate Change. September 17, 2015, at 7:00 pm at Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, 1414 Wirt Road. Sponsored by the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, and Sierra Club – Houston Group.
   • Mayoral Forum–Plan Houston: A Roadmap to Success. Saturday, September 26, 2015, 9:00 AM at the Houston Community College Central Campus Auditorium. Sponsored by Blueprint Houston, co-sponsored by AARP, American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Landscape Architects Houston Chapter, American Planning Association Houston Section, Bike Houston, CEC, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, Complete Streets Coalition, Houston Tomorrow, League of Women Voters, and the Superneighborhood Alliance.
   • Growing a Greener Houston: How do we get there? Mayoral Forum on our Parks, Bikes and Waterways – and Connecting to them. Thursday October 1, 2015, in the evening at Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion in the McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park. Sponsored by Bayou Preservation Association, Bike Houston, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green, Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition, Hermann Park Conservancy, Houston Botanic Garden, Houston Parks Board, Katy Prairie Conservancy, Keep Houston Beautiful, Memorial Park Conservancy, Scenic Houston, Student Conservation Association and Trees for Houston.
   • Mayoral Debate. October 16, 2015, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Dunham Theater at Houston Baptist University. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. To be broadcast on KPRC. Note: The League is also hosting a series of conversations with the candidates. More information is available on the LWV website.

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

COALITION NOTES

1. L.A.N.D.S. Outreach Fall 2015 Programs. Fall semester Discovery Trunks, Wildlife by Design Classroom Presentations, and Distance Learning Programs are now available! These programs are full of great material for students and teachers. There are many hands-on materials and lessons to go along with them, plus many more lessons designed to fit those ever important TEKS. Learn more about the L.A.N.D.S. Outreach Fall 2015 Programs.
2. Preserve Watch: Bayou Backwaters with Mark Kramer. Armand Bayou is among the best preserved bayous in the city which is known as “The Bayou City.” The bayou still follows the original meandering stream bed and is lined with beautiful tidal marsh, coastal prairie and coastal flatwoods forest. Wildlife abounds with common sightings of alligator, river otter and bald eagle during paddle trips. Join Armand Bayou Nature Center on September 5, 2015, 8am-3pm, for an extended paddle trip and an in depth overview of this local treasure. The cost is $50 per person. Reservations required. Call 281-474-2551×10. www.abnc.org
3. Redfish Raft-Up. Calling all boaters and friends! Paddle up, float up, sail up, or buy a ticket aboard Star Fleet Yachts Star Gazer for the 11th annual Redfish Raft-Up taking place on September 6, 2015, 11am-3:30pm, and benefiting GBF. Join the hundreds of bay enthusiasts who will anchor out at Redfish Island to enjoy live music from Kelly McGuire! The cost is $99 per person and includes a 4.5 hour cruise aboard the Star Gazer Yacht, beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks, and Texas BBQ menu with all the fixins. Learn more and purchase tickets at http://galvbay.org.
4. Going Green Sustainability Lecture: Scientific Thinking on Climate Change. The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. is sponsoring the latest Going Green Sustainability Lecture titled Scientific Thinking on Climate Change to be held at the The Woodlands South Regional Library on September 8, 2015, at 7pm. Larry Kremer will discuss some of the science behind climate change including ocean acidification, sea level rise, arctic melting, and temperature rise. He will also briefly discuss a method to address climate change developed by the Citizens Climate Lobby. This method is a market-based approach to reduce greenhouse gasses by putting a cost on fossil fuel through a revenue neutral Fee and Dividend approach. Learn more at www.thewoodlandsgreen.org. This event is free and open to the public and is not sponsored or endorsed by Montgomery County Memorial Library System.
5. Texas Gulf Coast Gardener Program 2015-2016. Mercer Botanic Gardens is thrilled to offer the Texas Gulf Coast Gardener program again this fall. This program has excellent and knowledgeable speakers who will guide the novice and dedicated gardener. A full list of speakers is in The Leaflet article, page 2 at  www.hcp4.net. These courses are a great fall gift for you and your favorite gardening friends. Learn how to grow your own botanic garden and design a sustainable landscape at home! These classes will help you learn how to plan, plant, and maintain your own gardening paradise! The registration fee for each Tier is $200 for current TMS members and $225 for non-members. Learn more at http://themercersociety.org.
   • Tier I: Intro To Gardening. Tuesdays, September 22 – November 17 (9am-3pm)
   • Tier II: Outstanding Landscape Plants. Thursdays, September 24 – November 19 (9am-3pm)
   • Tier III: The Art of Landscape Design. Mondays January 25 – February 29 (9am-3pm)
6. Artist Boat’s Sea Citizens Stewardship Orientation. Artist Boat, with support from the CITGO “Caring for our Coast” Grant Program, is restoring 360 acres of the Coastal Heritage Preserve and establishing a long-term volunteer program. These volunteers, called Sea Citizens, will steward the fragile and diverse ecosystems of the Coastal Heritage Preserve on west Galveston Island. Throughout this yearlong project, Artist Boat hopes and volunteers will restore the 367-acre Preserve to its natural state and manage the habitats for wildlife and ecosystem function. Artist Boat’s Sea Citizens will lead teams of volunteers in creating oak mottes and other enhancements for neotropic bird migrants; restoring prairies though invasive species removal and planting native grasses; repairing the fence line around the property with non-barbed wire lines, building picnic tables for our volunteers, and monitoring the site to ensure proper management of resident plants and animals at the Preserve. Artist Boat will host four stewardship orientations for Sea Citizens Volunteers. If interested, please contact Artist Boat’s Habitat and Stewardship Program Manager, Nate Johnson at njohnson@artistboat.org to receive an application.
   • September 10, 2015: 9am-12pm
   • September 10, 2015: 2pm-5pm
   • September 12, 2015: 2pm-5pm
   • September 10, 2015: 5:30pm-8pm
7. Air Alliance Houston Education Programs. Air Alliance Houston has FREE air pollution and health education programs for elementary and middle school students. Three age-appropriate curricula are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives in science, health, language arts, and fine arts. Book Ozone Theater for your students today! “Pesky Polluters” introduces Kindergarten through second grade students to the concept of air pollution and the difference between clean air and dirty air. In “Good Ozone, Bad Ozone,” third through fifth graders learn the difference between the ozone layer and ground-level ozone. They are introduced to the federal government’s Air Quality Index and they act out appropriate, safe activities for times when ground-level ozone is elevated. In “Air Pollution Solutions,” middle school students learn the basic facts of air pollution: what it is, where it comes from, and what they can do about it. Learn more at http://airalliancehouston.org.
8. 2015 Clean Air Action “Best in Motion” Leadership Awards. Join H-GAC as they recognize businesses and local governments for outstanding leadership in implementing measures which reduce air pollutants within our eight-county region. The award ceremony will be held on September 10, 2015, 11am-1pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Greenway Plaza. This year’s event will honor those organizations that encourage employees to use commute alternatives and/or implement alternative fuel vehicle programs and adopt clean fleet and no idling policies. Honored organizations will include newly designated Clean Air Champions. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg, Ph.D. Professor & Co-Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research. Dr. Klineberg will speak about the impact of the economic and demographic changes for the past 33 years. How has diversity impacted the quality of life and transportation choices for people who live and work in the Houston-Galveston region? What impact will continued population and employment growth have on transportation congestion and air quality in our region? Early registration (before 10am on September 4) is $45; general registration (after 10am on September 4 or at the door) is $80. More at www.mysolutionis.com.
9. 2015 Parks and Natural Area Awards. Time is running out to submit your Parks and Natural Areas awards applications. The four categories are: Planning Process, Policy Tools, On-the-Ground Projects under $500,000, and On-the-Ground Projects $500,000 or more. Applications are due by 5pm on September 9, 2015. Find the application at http://form.jotformpro.com. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Martha Gaiennie at marymartha.gaiennie@h-gac.com.
10. Understanding Conservation Activities Among Birdwatchers. Houston Audubon will be holding a September Speaker Event on September 10, 2015, at 7pm at the United Way Center. The speaker will be David Scott, a faculty member in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University. Popular media sometimes portrays birders as being driven to identify rare birds and add new birds to large life lists. In reality, these activity orientations are representative of a small fraction of people who enjoy watching birds. Birders constitute a diverse group of wildlife participants, exhibiting a wide range of skills and interests. Research show that birdwatchers’ attitudes and behavior change as they move from a casual to a more serious stage of participation. One such area of change is participation in activities that contribute to bird conservation. In his presentation David will describe major differences among birdwatchers and then explain how these differences impact participation in avian conservation. www.houstonaudubon.org
11. Neches River Rally. The Big Thicket Association will host the 2nd Annual Neches River Rally on September 12, 2015, at the LNVA Saltwater Barrier boat launch on Bigner Road in Beaumont, Texas. Entry fees start at $35 for single paddlers and include lunch, official event T-shirt, goodies and local entertainment. This canoe and kayak rally takes paddlers on one of the most popular paddling trails in Southeast Texas – The Cooks Lake to Scatterman trail is designated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as an Official Texas Paddling Trail. It follows Pine Island Bayou, Cooks Lake, Scatterman Lake, and the Neches River. The trail features the famous Madonna Tree with a paddle through a cypress-tupelo forest in the Big Thicket National Preserve. The Neches River Rally, a family friendly event. Entry fees and sponsorships help support the Big Thicket Association’s mission of promoting conservation, environmental education classes, and scientific research in the Big Thicket National Preserve. www.bigthicket.org
12. CWI: Regional Water Conservation. Join H-GAC for the next CWI Workshop: Regional Water Conservation. This workshop will be held on September 15, 2015, from 1:30-3:30pm. at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices. This workshop topic is the most widely requested from the 2015 CWI Planning Survey, to date. Workshop topics include: Water Conservation and the 2060 Region H Water Plan; Water Conservation by the Yard: Estimating Savings from Outdoor Watering Restrictions; and Water Management Strategies / Assessments for Buildings and Irrigation Systems. Register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com.
13. Critters Uncorked. Evergreen members are invited to Critters Uncorked, an evening for young professionals to enjoy light bites and beverages courtesy of sponsor Saint Arnold, as they learn from freshwater turtle and tortoise expert, the Houston Zoo’s Chris Bednarski. A voice for turtle conservations for 20 years, Bednarski will share details of the numerous conservations efforts he has been part of and his current conservation project that will help imperiled turtles and tortoises in South East Asia. The event is free for current Evergreen members. For non-members, the event is $30, but will go towards your first Evergreen membership should you decide to join at the event. A full individual membership to Evergreen costs $50, which includes a basic membership to the Arboretum (discounts to events), invitations to all Evergreen events, invitations to Arboretum volunteer opportunities, and more. The event will be held on September 18, 2015, 7-9pm. http://houstonarboretum.org
14. BPA’s 2nd Annual Cypress Creek Regatta. This is a fun race for families and individuals of all ages and skill levels. The 7.5 mile ACA sanctioned race, will take you on the amazingly scenic stretch of Cypress Creek. You will see beautiful landscapes, birds, fish, and of course other racers. The Bayou Preservation Association along with various partners have been working non-stop to clean-up Cypress Creek and officially have it become the newest and longest paddling trail with Texas Parks and Wildlife. The 2nd Annual Cypress Creek Regatta will continue to raise awareness of the beautiful Cypress Creek Paddle Trail as well as help raise funds to clean up all of our waterways. The race will be held on September 19, 2015, at 8:45am. The starting location is Mercer Arboretum, and the finish line location is Jones Park. There will be a free celebration and festival at the finish line! https://cypresscreekregatta.rallybound.com
15. Mayoral Candidate Panel Discussion. You are invited to attend a panel discussion by mayoral candidates on the topic of Growth and Climate Change- How Will Houston Address the Next Decades? This event, which will take place on September 17, 2015, at 7pm at the Trini Mendenhall Sosa Community Center, is hosted by the Houston area Sierra Club, Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, and Citizens’ Climate Lobby with support of OilPatch Democrats. Candidates will respond to questions they received prior to the event from each of the hosting organizations. www.harrisdemocrats.com
16. Public Comment – Cedar Bayou Draft Watershed Protection Plan. The Draft Watershed Protection Plan evaluates the water quality issues present in the bayou, identifies causes and sources of pollution, recommends voluntary solutions, and describes the way these solutions will be implemented and assessed over the next 10 years. It was developed by local stakeholders of the Cedar Bayou Watershed Partnership, who include representatives from local government, community groups, industry, commercial interests, agricultural producers, and interested residents, among others. It incorporates sound science and local decision-making to identify effective, voluntary solutions to the water quality challenges facing Cedar Bayou. Take a moment to read and comment on the Draft Cedar Bayou Watershed Protection Plan. Comments or questions can be submitted to Justin Bower at 713-499-6653 or justin.bower@gmail.com. They can also be mailed to Justin Bower, Houston-Galveston Area Council, PO Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777. The comment period ends on September 5, 2015.
17. Save the Date! Buffalo Bayou Park’s Grand Opening. Come celebrate, recreate and create at the grand opening of Buffalo Bayou Park on October 3, 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, delicious food, live music and programming that will showcase Houston’s diverse arts community. The grand opening celebration will conclude with Confluence: A Journey in Five Movements, a site-specific walking procession organized by Processional Arts Workshop (PAW) of New York and a fireworks show. http://buffalobayou.org
18. 2016 Trash Bash T-shirt Design Contest. The River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash® is excited to announce the 2016 T-shirt Design Contest! This is the third year that students in grades 1-8 to have been able to enter their original drawings in a contest to design the front of the Trash Bash® t-shirts. In addition to being printed on more than 5,000 shirts provided to volunteers, three winning students will receive cash prizes, recognition on the Trash Bash® website, and framed artwork. The entry deadline is October 23, 2015 (postmarked). Find out more and download a contest entry form at www.trashbash.org.

COMMUNITY NOTES

1. Railroad Commission Proposed Rulemaking – Public Comment. At its open meeting on August 25, 2015, the Railroad Commission approved a proposed rulemaking to be published for public comment. The proposed amendments in §12.108 would adjust the annual fees for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The comment period will end at noon on October 12, 2015. For more information on the proposed rules and to access the online comment form, visit www.rrc.state.tx.us. Subscribe to the RRC Rules list to receive copies of all rule drafts, proposals, adoptions, or other related information regarding rules approved by the Commission.
2. 2015 Texas Tree Award Nominations. Celebrate the accomplishments of those who have dedicated their talents to spreading a leafy green canopy over Texas by nominating them for the 2015 Texas Community Forestry Awards Program. This program is open to anyone who has a role in building stronger communities by planting, maintaining or protecting trees. Winners are announced during the annual Texas Tree Conference held this year in Waco. Each award winner will receive a numbered, remarked and framed, limited-edition print of a painting especially commissioned for the program. There are five categories this year: Arborist of the Year, The Gold Leaf Award – Landscape Improvement, Arboricultural Project of the Year, Outstanding Arbor Day Activities, and ISAT Volunteer of the Year. Nominations are due September 4, 2015. Learn more about each category and find the nomination forms at www.isatexas.com.
3. Houston Area Urban Forestry Council (HAUFC) Meeting. The next HAUFC meeting will be held on September 8, 2015, at 10am at 2040 North Loop West, Suite 380. The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council (HAUFC) was formed in 1986 with the mission of providing a forum where the different interests involved in urban forestry could come together to develop programs for an enhanced urban forest in the greater Houston area. Learn more at http://haufc.org.
4. The Annual Kleb Woods Hummingbird Festival. Everything you want to know about hummingbirds – including identifying, attracting, and gardening for hummingbirds. There will be games and activities for the whole family. The Kleb house will be open for tours and the blacksmiths will be demonstrating in the barn. The festival will be held on September 19, 2015, 9am-3pm at the Kleb Woods Nature Center. Hummingbird Festival Flyer
5. Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Each year, the TCEQ commissioners and the governor’s office honor the state’s most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards (TEEA). Winners from across the state are chosen who represent ways Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and safe management of waste. Share Your Story in one of 9 diverse categories from Civic/Community to Education to Pollution Prevention. The categories are: Agriculture, Civic/Community, Education, Individual, Pollution Prevention, Innovative Operations/Management, Technical/Technology, Water Conservation, and Youth. Winners will be honored at an awards banquet held on May 4, 2016 where videos of the winning projects will be featured. See winner videos from 2015 and apply today by visiting www.teea.org. Applications will be accepted through September 25, 2015.
6. 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.
7. Community Connections: Bringing Together Scientists and Local Voices. Whether it’s protection from chemical hazards, resilience to climate change impacts, or a food system that is accessible and affordable, communities across the country are working to improve health and safety. We can all benefit when all members of the community—scientists, policymakers, and residents alike—have access to the best available science and can break down barriers to shape decisions. This event will be held on September 26, 2015, at the Houston Community College Conference Center. The town hall will include a diverse audience of community groups, science organizations, technical specialists, citizens, and elected officials. Participants will learn and share stories from their own experiences of connecting science and community around a range of issues. The first half of the event will be a broader look at what it means to connect communities and science. The second part will focus on collaborations among Houston’s community and science experts to address local issues facing Houston. The event will be webcast, so everyone will be able to listen to the panel discussions and participate online. Learn more and register at www.ucsusa.org.
8. Buffalo Bayou: Houston’s Past, Present and Future. Have you ever wondered why the fourth largest city in the United States was founded on swampland 50 miles inland in a hot, humid, flood-prone region? It all goes back to Buffalo Bayou, a natural waterway wending 75 miles from the Katy Prairie to the San Jacinto River. This six-week course will explore the Buffalo Bayou’s pivotal role in shaping Houston’s past, present and future and will illuminate the ebbs and flows of Houstonians’ relationship with the bayou. From the Allen Brothers’ 1836 landing to the development of the shipping industry and neighborhoods along its shores, to today’s renewed appreciation of the bayou’s influence on quality of life, the bayou was, is and will always be “the backbone of Houston.” The class will meet on six Mondays from 7-8:30pm, from September 28 to November 2, 2015. Registration before September 14 is $170, and $180 after. The cost for Rice alumni is $162. Learn more and register at http://glasscock.rice.edu.
9. Sea Turtle Rescue Hotline for Texas. What if you found an injured sea turtle on the beach — but couldn’t reach the right person to come rescue her? For years, it was difficult to reach wildlife agency personnel to come help along the Texas Coast, because there was no central phone number to call.  And this is one of the key habitats of endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtles! That’s why Turtle Island Restoration Network started the Sea Turtle Hotline for the Texas coast. Anyone who finds an ill or injured sea turtle, spots a sea turtle nesting, a hatching emerging, or accidentally hooks a sea turtle while fishing may call 1-866-887-8535. This hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year round, and organizations along the Texas coast are responding to these calls and saving thousands of sea turtles. Learn more at https://seaturtles.org.
10. 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.
11. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas Pest Seminar. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be hosting a free Texas Pest Seminar on September 10, 2015, 8am-2pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office (3033 Bear Creek Drive). The featured speakers are Allen Smith, Matt Weaver, Marianne Waindle, and Emmett Muennink. Topics include: Emerald Ash Borer and the Texas Action Plan, Bacterial Diseases of Trees, Trunk Injection Demonstration, Piercing/Sucking Insects, and more. Lunch is provided. RSVP by September 4th to emuennink@arborjet.com. HoustonWorkshop2015
12. Greater Houston Plant Conference. The 2015 Greater Houston Plant Conference is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s second conference to provide the green industry of Harris county and surrounding counties the opportunity to see what new plants are coming to the market. Come hear from industry experts on shrubs, annuals, perennials, landscape industry trends, and plant trials in Harris County. There will also be a plant auction , which provides the opportunity to purchase some of those interesting plants you will have learned about at the conference. The conference will be held on September 11, 2015, 8am-3:30pm at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office (3033 Bear Creek Rd). Program registration is $60. Find the schedule and register at www.eventbrite.com.
13. 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.
14. 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.
    • Texas on Two Wheels
    • Running of the Bass
    • Outdoor Info: Shooter’s Eye & Ear Protection
    • Parks & Wildlife People: License Sales Migration Team
15. Air Quality Forecast. http://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/monops/forecast_today.html. Houston Clean Air Network and Realtime Ozone Mapping: http://houstoncleanairnetwork.com.
    • September 2, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and lower incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range.
    • September 3, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • September 4, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.
    • September 5, 2015: Green–Good. Moderate winds and low incoming background levels should help to keep air quality in the “Good” range statewide.

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