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May 10, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update May 10, 2017

Scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community, or view the emailed version of the newsletter, which includes a Texas legislative update and green job listings.

Obviously, Earth Day is a big day if you like clean air, clean water, healthy food, cute (and ugly) wild animals and plants, and great places to live. (On Thursday, help us plan for Earth Day Houston 2018.)

Earth Day is not the only day environmentalists celebrate, and May is a great month for days that are important to many of our organizations. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring events that celebrate some of the following days:

Take advantage of all that’s going on, and connect with our environmental community!

CEC NOTES

Earth Day Houston 2018
The CEC is gearing up for the Earth Day Houston 2018, and is recruiting members for our planning committee. Join us at a planning meeting tomorrow, Thursday, May 11, 2017, at the United Way of Greater Houston. To become a part of this exciting event, contact Marina Rossow, Program Manager, at 713-524-4232 or marina@cechouston.org.

Houston Green Film Series: The True Cost
Next Wednesday, on May 17, 2017, CEC will be hosting the Houston Green Film Series at the Rice Media Center. This month’s movie? The True Cost: Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth, Vandana Shiva and Richard Wolff, The True Cost is an unprecedented project that invites us on an eye opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing? Join us at 6:30 next week for a thought-provoking film, light refreshments, and great company. Learn more on the Houston Green Film Series’ Facebook page.

CEC Monthly Social: Environment Matters
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 6 pm for the next Environment Matters social. In May, David Crossley will be sharing some of his extensive wisdom on sustainability, urbanism, and the environment. Did you know that, in addition to founding and directing Houston Tomorrow, where his focus has been on urban growth issues as they relate to quality of life, he has served on local, state, and national boards and committees, including a stint as the president of CEC’s board of directors? Grab a seat & beverage for an inclusive and interactive get together. Learn from experts, find out about local events, and enjoy the fun! If you are new to the Houston environmental community, this will be a great event to connect. You may bring food and nonalcoholic drinks. Beer is available for purchase. Where: Eureka Brewery 941 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008, eurekaheights.com. Learn more on facebook.

Greater Houston Environmental Summit & Environmental Education Expo
Annually, CEC hosts a networking and learning event for the extraordinary people who work at or are interested in the work of environmental organizations in the greater Houston region. Smiling facesIn 2017, CEC will be hosting the Greater Houston Environmental Summit on Friday, August 4, 2017, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at the Community Resource Center at the United Way of Greater Houston. In addition to excellent keynote presentations and panels, we will again offer small-format table talks. We will feature a panel in conjunction with EarthShare of Texas, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. We are partnering with a variety of environmental education collaboratives to offer an Environmental Education Expo for teachers and informal educators. If you are interested in exhibiting at the EE Expo, please contact Marina@cechouston.org. We’re taking suggestions & proposals for the table talks, so if you have an issue you’d like to learn about or share with the environmental community, drop us a line at rachel@cechouston.org.

COALITION NOTES

  1. Sierra Club Meeting: Geothermal Power Using Existing Oil and Gas Wells
    Mr. Frank Smith of Sologen Systems will be the speaker for the meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2017, 7:00 pm, at St. Stephen’s Pecore Hall at 1805 W. Alabama.  SoloGen is developing geothermal power plants in the gulf coast region of Texas. The SoloGen Geothermal Power Plant will utilize existing oil & gas wells with geo-pressured geothermal resources for the co-production of geothermal energy and natural gas/condensate to produce utility scale, base-load electricity.  Reportedly the geology along the Texas coast is more conducive to maintaining high temperature water deep underground (approximately 2 miles), due to thicker layers of sediment. Learn more at sierraclub.org/texas/houston.

  2. North Houston Highway (I-45) Improvement Project
    TxDOT is conducting a public hearing on Thursday, May 11, 2017, for the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The purpose of the hearing is to present the planned improvements and to receive public comments on the proposed project. Displays will be available for viewing at 5:30 p.m. with the formal hearing starting at 6:30 p.m. TxDOT will host an additional public meeting for the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project on Monday, May 15, 2017, at St. Arnold Brewing Company. Learn more at ih45northandmore.com.
  3. Galveston Ornithological Society: Big Thicket Field Trip
    This Saturday, May 13, 2017, GOS is hosting its     last day trip of the spring, going to the Big Thicket. Participatns will walk Kirby Trail, Sun Dew Trail (through an insectivorous bog) and eat at Mama Jack’s – the best food on the planet! GOS will pick up participants in Galveston or east of Houston to save driving: 7 a.m. at the Galveston PO on Broadway/59th (first light), and 8:20 a.m. at the exit onto I-10 on 146, at the adjacent burger joint. Easy to find. Back way before dark. You will hear many, many more bird songs than you will see. $60 RSVP to Jim galornsoc@earthlink.net
  4. FrankenBike at Energy Corridor Farmers Market & Bike to Work
    The legendary FrankenBike Ultimate Bike Swap will come alive amidst the freshly picked fruits and vegetables during the Energy Corridor Farmers Market, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at 14710 Grisby Rd., near the southeast corner of IH-10 and Hwy 6. In fact, the FrankenBike Farmers Market will celebrate Bike to Work Month by shutting down Grasshopper Lane to motorists, freeing the lane for bicyclists and bicycling activities. This event is being held in conjunction with Energy Corridor’s Bike to Work festivities, which include a social ride on May 11 at 6:15 pm, and an actual bike to work day on May 18, 2017. Learn more at energycorridor.org.
  5. Empty Bowls at Urban Harvest Eastside Farmers Market
    Stop by Empty Bowl Houston table at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market to on May 13, 2017, to learn more about Empty Bowls, purchase a handcrafted bowl, and see clay demonstrations. For each $25 bowl purchased, 75 meals will be provided to our neighbors in need. More details on Empty Bowls Houston’s Facebook page.
  6. Bay Day Festival
    Bay Day Festival is a one-day, free celebration presented by the Galveston Bay Foundation and numerous community partners, this year on May 13, 2017. 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. Festival highlights include bay-themed arts and crafts, live animal demonstrations and touch tanks, a scavenger hunt, science and marine exhibits, live music, and more. Learn more on Galveston Bay Foundation’s Facebook page.
  7. Exploration Green! Wetland Planting Days
    The public is invited to wade in and
    plant along the shores of the new lake at Exploration Green on Saturdays, May 13 and 27, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Native species will be planted in the shallow margins, providing habitat to water birds, and natural cleansing of stormwater runoff. Wear shoes and clothes that can get muddy, sun protection, and bring a water bottle. All tools and instruction will be provided. Supervised children are welcome with their families. Exploration Green is in Clear Lake City, in the Bay Area. Park along the street and enter the park at 1800 Reseda. ​Learn more at watershedtexas.org.
  8. EPA Water Laboratory Alliance Tabletop Exercise Webinar
    May 16, 2017 at 1:00 PM ET
    This webinar will examine the coordination of laboratory services in response to a drinking water contamination incident. The scenario-based exercise is designed for utilities, state and local governments, emergency responders and laboratory personnel to share their real-life experiences and knowledge of emergency response practices, and to become familiar with Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan (WLA-RP) procedures. Exercise participants will receive information on “best practices” for Water Sector emergency response, as well as free water security tools and resources from EPA. There is no cost to attend. To register for the exercise, please visit https://us-epa-wla-rp-ttx.eventbrite.com.
  9. Breathable Cities: Using VW Funding to Improve Air in the Houston Area
    Last year, a judge ruled that Volkswagen will pay $15 billion dollars in the US settlement of its emissions cheating scandal. And what does that mean for the Greater Houston region? Join the discussion on May 17, 2017, at Austin Highschool. For details and tickets, visit HPCC Facebook page.
  10. EarthShare of Texas 25th Anniversary Round Table Discussion Series
    Happy Anniversary to EarthShare of Texas!
    To celebrate 25 years, EST is hosting a Round-Table Discussion Series to introduce the public to all of the great work its members have accomplished.  From air quality to zebra populations, they have it covered. Learn more at earthshare-texas.org/events. Buying a ticket to the entire series will gain you entry into the following events:

    • Bats, Birds, and Barbecue- A dinner discussion of wildlife and habitat conservation with a viewing of  the awesome bat emergence at Bracken Bat Cave May 20, 2017 – Bracken Cave, San Antonio.
    • Toxic Tour- Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale of Air Pollution in Houston.  A three hour (bus) tour.  June 9, 2017 – Air Alliance Houston.
    • On the Ground Floor of Ground Water: A breakfast discussion divining the future of our most precious resource.   July date tbd Redbud Center.
    • The Hot Topic of Climate Change- Greater Houston Environmental Summit Aug 4, 2017 – United Way of Greater Houston–In conjunction with the CEC!
    • This Land is your Land: Exploring the terrain of land conservation; Red Bud Center, October 17, 2017.
    • And the grand finale picnic with food, games music and more!  The whole family is welcome!
  11. White Oak Bayou Association releases latest ‘Zine: Winter Warblers
     Would you like to learn about the birds who live along Houston’s bayous and in the nearby parks and neighborhoods? And are you a kid or a young-at-heart adult? If yes, the Bayou City Birding Zines (mini-magazines) are for you! Each of the Bayou City Birding Zines features a small group of birds who share something in common. You can download the zines – they’re FREE! – print them, and then use an origami trick to fold them into miniature field guides you can read at home and take with you when you go outside.  And if you would rather print out the zines as mini-posters, these are available too. Visit White Oak Bayou Associoation’s webite to download the zines and/or posters for printing.
  12. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3:00 p.m. 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.

    • Flying the Franklins: Fly high above the Franklin Mountains in a paraglider.
    • Blue Mountain Peak: Blue Mountain Peak Ranch owners are returning the land to its roots.
    • A Frog Pond: Discover a homemade frog pond and see what animals it attracts.
  13. Additional Upcoming Events

http://cechouston.org/category/green-jobs/Â