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May 17, 2017

Houston Environmental News Update May 17, 2017

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

Have you biked to work? Bike Month is a great time to try it! In addition to Bike to Work Days all over the region, there is a Critical Mass ride on Friday and Learn-to-Ride classes on May 20 and June 3, 2017. I’ll be riding in the Bike to Work Downtown ride on Friday morning. Learn about many riding opportunities at bikehouston.org.

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

CEC NOTES

Houston Green Film Series: The True Cost
Tonight, May 17, 2017, CEC is hosting the Houston Green Film Series at the Rice Media Center. 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 pm 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. In 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.

Earth Day Houston 2018
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week to discuss Earth Day Houston 2018. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Community Resource Center of the United Way of Greater Houston. Notes will be sent out soon. To learn more or be added to the mailing list, please contact marina@cechouston.org.

CEC WELCOMES PUBLIC CITIZEN AS A NEW MEMBER ORGANIZATION!

CEC is pleased to welcome Public Citizen Texas as one of CEC’s newest member organizations. Since 1984, Public Citizen’s Texas State Office has concerned itself with environmental enforcement policies, global warming, promoting renewable/clean energy, product safety, nuclear safety, medical safety, auto safety/quality, pesticide safety, insurance reforms, campaign finance/ethics issues, improving state government agency operations, and fair trade policies. When you turn on your lights, file an insurance claim, file a complaint about your doctor or lawyer, inquire about political contributions to your legislators, buy gas, rent a car, buy or recycle a product, appear before a judge at an administrative agency, see a pesticide warning sign or hear about a dangerous product your rights have been affected by the work of Public Citizen’s Texas office. Read more at cechouston.org.

COALITION NOTES

  1. 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 High School. For details and tickets, visit HPCC Facebook page.
  2. TAEP Monthly Luncheon
    Join the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals for a luncheon at Brady’s Landing on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Registration and networking begin at 11:20, the event at 12:15. This month’s featured guest is Joy Young of Oak Advising and Consulting, who will speak about environmental liability estimates for financial reporting. Learn more at taep.org.
  3. NPSOT Monthly Meeting: Follets Island Conservation Initiative
    The Houston Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Houston will host its monthly chapter meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Houston Arboretum. Mike Lange, Senior Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land, will share information about the plants and wildlife and other resource values of the Follets Island Conservation Initiative. The initiative is a partnership effort led by the Trust for Public Land and The Texas Parks and Wildlife Service and many other partners to conserve land on Follets Island. Learn more at npsot.org.
  4. Armand Bayou Bat Hike
    On Friday, May 19, 2017, join Armand Bayou Nature Center for a topsy turvy bat hike. Change your perspective! Starts at 7:30 pm. Reservations required; for ages 6+. Learn more at abnc.org.
  5. Neches River Adventure
    On Saturday, May 20, 2017, enjoy a leisurely trip on the ecologically diverse Neches River with the Big Thicket Association. The Neches has been called “The Last Wild River” in east Texas. The comfortable, open boat, the Ivory Bill, showcases this beautiful river with its unique ecosystem and dense bottomland forests of hardwoods and pine trees. Tours are offered weekly March through November. Learn more at nechesriveradventures.org.
  6. Volunteer Workday at Don Green Park
    On Saturday, May 20, 2017, join Friends of Don Greene Nature Park for 3 hours this Saturday morning to do a bit of watering and tidying up at the Don Greene Nature Park. Boy Scouts earn community service hours. Bring your gloves, rake, hoe andwater. More information is available on facebook.
  7. Cigna Sunday Streets
    Cigna Sunday Streets Houston is an initiative to promote and improve the health of Houstonians. Cigna Sunday Streets Houston opens a stretch of streets normally reserved for cars and other vehicles to allow cycling, walking, dancing, socializing and provides a family-friendly opportunity to be physically active. This month, walk, roll, stroll, and enjoy the event on Fondren Drive in Brays Oaks on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Visit Houstontx.gov for more information.
  8. Bacteria Implementation Group Annual Meeting
    On Tuesday, May 23, 2017, please consider attending the annual water quality summit of the Bacteria Implementation Group, or BIG, at H-GAC. The BIG has been working to improve water quality in local bayous and waterways in the region. Bacteria associated with the waste of warm-blooded animals is perhaps the most widespread contamination in excess of state water quality standards. Over several years, the BIG worked to develop a plan to reduce the bacteria levels, and this meeting will highlight progress towards those reductions. Learn more at h-gac.com.
  9. OHBA Quest for Better Food
    On Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at 5:00 pm, join the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance for a special evening with Ronnie Cummins, executive director of The Organic Consumers Association. Learn more and purchase tickets at ohbaonline.org.
  10. EarthShare of Texas 25th Anniversary Round Table Discussion Series: Bracken Cave Bat Tour
    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. Annual Report on Complete Streets
    The City of Houston released the Annual Report on Complete Streets to the Houston Coalition for Complete Streets. You can now view the Public Works and Engineering Department and the Planning and Development Department presentation. For more information on Complete Streets, visit www.houstontx.gov.
  12. Economic and Community Development Course
    As the world grows smaller through the increased use of global communications, communities of all sizes are finding their boundaries are expanding beyond their city limits. If you want to improve an existing organization, train your employees and major volunteers, CDI Texas builds the capacity of individuals and communities to effectively and positively impact economic and social development. If you want to effect change, Community Development is what you need to study. All sessions will be held at the Lone Star Community Building located at 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381. For more information, visit www.lonestar.edu.
  13. 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.

    • Coastal Birds: Travel with some dedicated birders along the Texas coast.
    • Horned Lizards: Biologists work to restore the Texas Horned Lizard to its historic range.
    • Desert Plants: The plants in Big Bend may be prickly, but they serve many purposes.
  14. Additional Upcoming Events

 

 

 

 

 

http://cechouston.org/event/fishing-101-2/?instance_id=3227655

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

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