Houston Environmental News Update September 14, 2016

View the emailed version on Constant Contact, which also includes information about the film festival and green jobs.

Last week, the banner image in the newsletter was a montage of CEC photos from the 1970s. While CEC is one of the oldest nonprofits doing environmental work in the Houston region, we are far from being the oldest.

COALITION NOTES

1. Zero Waste Survey. Most major cities have enacted long-term plans to reduce up to 90% of waste from landfills and incinerators. Houston is in the beginning stages of developing its own plan after years of encouragement from community leaders. Many elements of such a plan can be found on the U.S. EPA’s “Transforming Waste” tool. As part of an informal coalition called Zero Waste Houston, Texas Campaign for the Environment invites you to take the Zero Waste Survey. The purpose of this form is to collect public opinion from individuals and organizations regarding what policies and programs should be included in a long-term waste reduction plan in Houston.
2. Young Adult Sustainability Call for Presenters. The Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club is reaching out to young people, from high school to college in the Houston area, that have demonstrated dedication and commitment to sustainability.  This can include a range of interests from urban park preservation or air and water quality mitigation to environmental activism around global climate change.  The Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club would like to celebrate the ongoing achievements of these young adults. The group is offering a certificate of recognition and a one-year, free membership to the Sierra Club to individuals who make a 7-10 minute presentation about their sustainability efforts at its February general meeting in order to bring together young people from all parts of the city, and all races and economic groups, to see their common interests in sustaining the planet for future generations. If you have any questions, please email Elizabeth Spike at elizabeth.spike@comcast.net or call 713-256-3589.
3. PARK(ing) Day. PARK(ing) Day 2016 will be in Downtown Houston! With support from the Office of City Council Member David Robinson, RDA organized this year’s PARK(ing) Day through the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Teams will install their parks along the 500 block of McKinney Street, beside City Hall, nextFriday, September 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since 2005, when it was begun by Rebar in San Francisco, PARK(ing) Day has become a global event wherein paid on-street parking spaces are occupied and temporarily transformed into free public spaces. It happens on the third Friday in September in cities all over the world. Last year, RDA led the effort to get 14 parks set up around the base of the JPMorgan Chase Tower. You can watch a short video produced by Rice News featuring the parks. Please join RDA for this free event and have conversations about urbanism, sustainability, land use, greenspaces, mobility, and more. Parking will, of course, be limited. But it’s a short walk from METRORail’s Main Street Square station, and a B-cycle station is available at City Hall. You can follow the action on social media using the hashtags #ParkingDayHouston and #ASLAPD16. Learn more at ricedesignalliance.org.
4. Swifts over Houston. Help the Audubon Society count local Chimney Swifts as part of their Swifts Over Houston program. You can join other birders at Pershing Middle School every Tuesday evening at dusk or check the website to find other count locations throughout Houston. A Swift Night Out event will be hosted on September 16, 2016. For more information on how to participate, visit www.houstonaudubon.org.
5. First Annual Invasive Fish Round- Up and Carp – A – Thon Willow Waterhole will be hosting their first annual day of fish on Sept. 17, 2016,from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, at Willow Waterhole Park, 5300 Dryad Dr. Houston TX 77035. Species presentations and casting competitions will be hosted, along with food trucks, live music, and a film for the whole family to enjoy. Check out the website for details, and how register, at www.willowwaterhole.org.
6. Public Meeting: Ceder Bayou Watershed Protection Plan The EPA recently accepted the Cedar Bayou Watershed Protection Plan, developed by local stakeholders over the last few years. A public meeting to discuss this Plan will hosted on Sept. 22, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Eddie V Gray Wetland Center, 1724 Market St. Baytown TX 77520. The Houston-Galveston Area Council is currently working with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and local partners to implement its recommended solutions for improving local water quality.At the meeting, the Partnership will discuss the current status of the bayou, the efforts to implement the WPP, and provide feedback on current efforts. We look forward to speaking with you about your ideas, planned activities, and potential partnerships! Light refreshments will be served. Visit  www.cederbayouwatershed.com for more information about the Protection Plan.
7. Cypress Creek Regatta. Bayou Preservation Association invites you to join the Cypress Creek Regatta on September 17, 2016. Individuals and teams will have the opportunity to paddle from Mercer Arboretum to Jesse H. Jones Park. Learn more and sign up at cypresscreekregatta.rallybound.com.
8. Stormwater Wetland Program Volunteer Opportunity The Texas Coastal Watershed Program will host stormwater wetland program, Sept. 22, 9am-12pm. Volunteers help propagate plants in the wetland plant nursery at Exploration Green in Clear Lake City, or at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory in Lake Jackson.  The stormwater wetland program is developing demonstration projects to show  how wetlands can be designed into flood control basins to clean contaminants from surface runoff,  protect our bayous and bays, and provide a refuge for wildlife. A schedule and more information is available by contacting Mcedwards@tamu.edu.
9. NAACP Sea Level Rise Workshop. The Houston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People invites you to attend a local workshop on climate change on September 24, 2016, at the Barbara Jordan Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. The workshop will include presentations by Jacqui Patterson, Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program; Dan Rizza, of Climate Central, who will demonstrate the Surging Seas web tool; Steve Costello, Chief Resilience Officer (“Dlood Czar”) for the City of Houston; And John Jacob and Steve Mikulencak of the Texas Sea Grant.  Seating is limited, and RSVP is required. Contact Dr. Jacqueline Smith at climate@naacphouston.org to RSVP or for more information.
10. Scenic Galveston’s 31st Annual Fall Estuary Cleaning. Scenic Galveston, in partnership with the Texas General Land Office, invites volunteers to participate at the 31st Annual I- 45 Wetlands Cleaning event Saturday, September 24, 9 am until noon. All interested volunteers are welcome. Scenic Galveston was founded by environmental advocate Evangeline Whorton in 1992 specifically to create a high-visibility marsh preserve along the highway approach to Galveston Island. A volunteer membership service organization dedicated to the mission of creating land trusts of scenic habitat conservation preserves the organization now maintains over 6,000 acres. http://scenicgalveston.org/
11. BLC Welcomes New ED: Jill Boullion
    Bayou Land Conservancy is thrilled to welcome Jill Boullion as its new Executive Director!  Jill is a Professional Community and Economic Developer with over 20 years of experience leading and motivating volunteers. Jill joins us from Greens Bayou Corridor Coalition where, as Executive Director, she made great strides in the development of parks, trails, and paddle access on 45 miles of Greens Bayou. Please join BLC in welcoming Jill at for BLC’s Public Lands Day Event on September 24, 2016.  Meet and greet as we roll up our sleeves and improve the trails along the Spring Creek Greenway.
12. STAR Texas Compost Council Summit and Training. Registration is now open for the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling’s (STAR) Texas Compost Council Summit and Training September 26-28, at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center, Conroe. This training is the leading educational and networking event for industrial composters in Texas. More at www.recyclingstar.org.
13. Sierra Club Benefit with Dr. Andrew Sansom. Join the Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club on Tuesday, September 27, at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center for a special evening to benefit the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter and Houston Group. Gather with like–minded folks, enjoy good company, great appetizers and desserts. See displays of local conservation efforts and service projects. The Houston Electric Auto Association will also have electric vehicles on display. The main event will be from 6:30-8:30pm, and Arboretum walks between 6-7pm. Learn more and buy a ticket at sierraclub.org.
14. Jennie Romer to speak about plastic bags at Bayou Symposium. Jennie Romer, a national expert on carryout bag policy, will be the keynote speaker at Bayou Preservation Association’s 50th Anniversary Symposium, 50 for 50, on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. This year’s symposium will include 50 informative presentations related to the many aspects of improvements in our watersheds over the last 50 years. The keynote speaker, Jennie Romer, will discuss the challenges and successes with local legislation to manage plastic bags in LA and NYC. Her story is truly inspiring; a practicing attorney, Romer is the country’s leading expert in plastic bag law. Learn more at bayoupreservation.org. Other events celebrating BPA’s 50th anniversary include the Cypress Creek Regatta on Sep. 26, 2017, and the 50th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 5, 2016.
15. RDA Lecture Series: Mass Timber. Mass Timber, The Rice Design Alliance lecture series with the Rice School of Architecture, begins this month. The series comes at a time of increasing exploration into the possibilities of designing and building with wood. The National Building Museum in Washington D.C., for example, just opened an exhibition called Timber City. The young designers of Ultramoderne will visit us first on Wednesday, September 28. Learn more and purchase series tickets at ricedesignalliance.org.
16. Early Registration Deadline: Intersections 2016. Intersections 2016 is a cross-disciplinary conference of quality of life, health, equity, development and environmental issues facing our growing region. Our goal is to foster synergistic thinking and collaboration by bringing different people together, and to demystify the mechanisms for creating sustainable change in Houston. CEC is proud to be a part of this conference. Early registration through September 31, 2016 at intersections2016.org.
17. Houston Bike Challenge 2016. Are you a passionate biker? Or looking to explore a new hobby? Support BikeHouston by joining their 2016 Biking Challenge. The Challenge is ongoing from Oct. 1 2016 – Oct. 31,2016 You can compete against other teams of participants and encourage friends and co-workers to join as a team Join this free competition with prizes for people to who beat their Challenges. The Bike Challenge will be ongoing for the month of October. Visit www.lovetoride.net for more information on how to participate and sign-up!
18. STAR Recycling Summit. Registration is now open for the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR) 2016 Recycling Summit, October 16-18, 2016, at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. Recycling professionals attend this event for educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, roundtable discussions, and training opportunities. Learn more at www.recyclingstar.org/summit/.
20. Additional Upcoming Events:
    • 10/7/16: Texas A&M National Association of Environmental Professionals Career and Internship Expo
    • 10/15/16: Hermann Park to Port Bike Ride
    • 10/22/16: Greens Bayou Regatta
    • 10/22/16: BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble
    • 10/26/16 (deadline): H-GAC’s Our Great Region Awards
    • 11/3 & 5/16: Avenue CDC’s Art on the Avenue
    • 11/12/16: Artist Boat’s Float the Boat
    • 11/12/16: TWRC’s Wild Night for Wildlife
    • 3/25/16: River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash®

COMMUNITY NOTES

1. Join the BEA-I in Houston–Application Deadline Sept. 13, 2016. The Building Equity and Alignment for Impact Initiative (BEA-I) invites you to apply to attend a historic three-day forum on centering equity and justice in the implementation of the Clean Power Plan. Who: Individuals representing national groups, funders and the grassroots sector. Why: To develop grassroots-led strategies ensuring participation in the implementation of the CPP, to find alignment with national groups and allies, and to work collaboratively to ensure equity in the development and implementation of climate policy. Relationships and tools will be developed to strengthen organizing capacity and movement connectivity on issues beyond the CPP. When: October 11-13, 2016.
2. Poverty & Trees: What’s the Connection?
   Come find out how Plant With Purpose reverses deforestation and poverty around the world by transforming the lives of the rural poor. Join us on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 6:30p.m. for refreshments and 7:00-8:00p.m. for a presentation by Executive Director Scott Sabin, followed by Q&A. The event will be held at Ecclesia Church (1100 Elder Street) in the Firefly Studio. Childcare is available upon request. Kindly RSVP to Valerie Foulkes, Regional Representative, at valerie@plantwithpurpose.org. Plant With Purpose is a Christian development organization that partners with rural farmers and their families in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Thailand, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
3. Energy, Environmental Experts Discuss Clean Power Plan at UH. The University of Houston’s annual energy symposium series will begin Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, with a panel discussion on the benefits, criticism and legal conflicts surrounding the Clean Power Plan. The Environmental Protection Agency proposed the Clean Power Plan in 2014 as one step in fighting climate change; the final version was released in 2015, but it has faced stiff opposition. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed earlier this year to put the plan on hold. In addition to the Clean Power Plan, topics to be addressed this school year include shale development in Texas, Nov. 29; the future of nuclear power, Feb. 15; and energy storage, March 30, 2016. Learn more at www.uh.edu.
4. Finding a Home for Environmental Justice: HUD Seeks Input on EJ Strategy Update. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made it a priority to update their environmental justice strategy by regularly meeting with environmental justice stakeholders to get their input on how to keep the strategy relevant to the needs and requests of those communities facing environmental justice concerns. Right now, the HUD EJ Coordinator is hosting a listening tour (not near Texas) to get your input! Learn how you can contribute to how HUD incorporates the principles of environmental justice into their work in Finding a Home for Environmental Justice: HUD Seeks Input on EJ Strategy Update by James Potter.
5. https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/grants/conservation-plates/
6. Poverty & Trees: What’s the Connection? Come find out how Plant With Purpose reverses deforestation and poverty around the world by transforming the lives of the rural poor. Join us on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at 6:30p.m. for refreshments and 7:00-8:00p.m. for a presentation by Executive Director Scott Sabin, followed by Q&A. The event will be held at Ecclesia Church (1100 Elder Street) in the Firefly Studio. Childcare is available upon request. Kindly RSVP to Valerie Foulkes, Regional Representative, at valerie@plantwithpurpose.org
   Plant With Purpose is a Christian development organization that partners with rural farmers and their families in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Thailand, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
7. 2016 EcoChallenge. Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites Houstonians to join them in challenging themselves to better care for the environment during the upcoming EcoChallenge. Participants (individuals, families, or groups) choose one action to reduce their environmental impact and stick with it for the two-week challenge period (Oct. 14 – 28, 2016).  There are many possible challenges to choose from in the categories of: water, energy, food, transportation, waste, nature, simplicity, and community.  Or, you can create your own challenge. Sign up today a twww.ecochallenge.org and challenge yourself to become a better steward of the environment.
8. State Income Tax Refund on Energy for Nonprofits. A quick review of your energy bill will indicate if your organization has been charged state sales tax for your electricity and/or natural gas usage. If this is the case, then as a non-profit organization, your entity is eligible for a refund from the Texas State Comptroller on all previously-paid state sales tax charges within the last 48 months. Should you be interested in seeing if you might be due a reimbursement, contact Heidi Massin with Infinity Power Partners at 832-488-5418 to facilitate a refund process on your behalf. Ms. Massin is a former board member of the CEC, and is excited to help organizations find environmental solutions for nonprofits.
9. Support the CEC when you buy a new car
   

   Central Houston Cadillac & Central Houston Nissan are excited to announce the opportunity to work with all members and supporters of CEC through their Affinity Marketing Program. Each time a supporter of CEC purchases a new or used vehicle from Central Houston Cadillac or Central Houston Nissan two things occur.

   1. CEC receives $200, and
   2. You receive PREFERRED PRICING!
   To participate, you must ask for Bill Workman (832-444-4717), the Affinity Marketing Coordinator, when you first contact Central Houston Nissan or Central Houston Cadillac. Download the informational flyer for more details.
10. Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Releases Draft Comprehensive Plan Update. The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) has released a proposed update to its 2013 Comprehensive Plan. The draft provides important additional strategic guidance for the Council to follow as it makes decisions on funding projects and activities aimed at restoring the Gulf of Mexico. The draft Comprehensive Plan Update is intended to improve Council decisions by:
    • Reinforcing the Council’s goals and objectives;
    • Setting forth an initial Ten-Year Funding Strategy;
    • Establishing the Council’s vision for Gulf restoration;
    • Increasing collaboration among Council members and partner restoration programs;
    • Providing for advancement of large-scale projects and programs;
    • Refining the process for ensuring that the Council’s decisions are informed by the best available science; and
    • Improving the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of Council actions.

    The Council is updating its Initial Comprehensive Plan now in order to take into account recent developments in Gulf restoration such as the resolution of civil claims against BP for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a source of future funding for the Council’s projects. Public input meetings will be held throughout the Gulf Coast, including in Galveston, on September 29, 2016. For more information, visit www.restorethegulf.gov.

11. Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. The Texas Environmental Excellence Awards (TEEA) honor achievements in environmental preservation and protection. As the state’s highest environmental honor, the Office of the Governor and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recognize outstanding projects from nine diverse categories: agriculture, civic/community, education, individual, innovative operations/management, pollution prevention technical/technology, water conservation, and youth. You can apply online at teea.org/apply; this page also contains helpful information on how to write an effective application. If you would like an example of a winning application, send your request to awards@tceq.texas.gov and include one (or more) or the award categories. The last day you can submit is September 30, 2016. Apply at www.teea.org. Read more: TEEA.
12. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Region Grant Proposal. NOAA is now seeking proposals under the Gulf of Mexico Bay-Watershed Education and Training (Gulf B-WET) Program. The full FY17 Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) can be found at Grants.gov under funding opportunity number NOAA-NMFS-SE-2017-2005000. Applicants should apply through Grants.gov. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on October 28, 2016, to be considered for funding. Please see the FFO for all application details. The Gulf of Mexico B-WET program is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. Funded projects provide meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs) for students, related professional development for teachers, and help to support regional education and environmental priorities in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit www.sero.nmfs.noaa.gov for more information.
13. 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, Texas City, Galveston, 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.
    • Feral Hogs
    • History Keeper
    • Going to Garner