Houston Environmental News Update May 9, 2018

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CEC NOTES

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Paid & Volunteer Internships with CEC Houston
CEC hopes to hire several volunteer interns this summer, with meaningful work, a mentorship program, field trips, flexible hours, and a constant supply of chocolate. If you or someone you know is interested, please send a resume to rachel@cechouston.org. We’ve also been notified that we will be able to hire paid interns through the City of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth Program; Houston youth can apply at http://hirehoustonyouth.org/.

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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.

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We have tried to confirm the events listed below, but not all organizations have updated their websites. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

1. Harris County Precinct 1’s Community Trails App closes THURSDAY!
   Park-Smart Precinct One, an initiative of Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, earlier this spring rolled out the Community Trails App to collect input from community members about how they get around town, focusing on what biking and walking routes are most used and where there are dangerous intersections or other obstacles that need to be improved. Thursday, May 10, 2018 is the last day that information will be accepted, so please log on and enter your routes.
2. The Smog of the Sea screenings at The Bryan Museum
   Artist Boat and The Bryan Museum will host two free screenings of the short documentary The Smog of the Sea on May 10, 2018, at 4 p.m and 4:45 p.m. The film chronicles a one-week journey through the remote waters of the Sargasso Sea to assess the fate of plastics in the world’s oceans. The museum is located 1315 21st Street, Galveston. See the trailer. For more information, visit artistboat.org.
3. ReThink Houston Sustainability Happy Hour
   On May 10, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. join sustainable design house Magpies & Peacocks and RePurpose Depot Houston for a happy hour where you can meet the leaders behind Houston’s environmental repurposing movement.and discuss collaboration as a network of like-minded businesses. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.
4. Complete Communities Action Plans Committee Presentation
   The Planning and Development Department will be presenting the Complete Communities Action Plans to the City Council Economic Development Committee in Council Chambers at City Hall. Public comment will be taken and community members are asked to come speak to their involvement in the formulation of the plans. May 10, 2018, at 6:00 pm. Learn more at houstontx.gov/completecommunities.
5. “Bird Artistry in the Wild” with Doug Wiser
   On May 10, 2018, Houston Audubon will host a presentation by artist Doug Hiser entitled “Bird Artistry in the Wild” at the United Way, 50 Waugh Drive. Hiser will discuss his artistic process during safaris in Africa, Australia, South America, Nepal, and the Galapagos Islands. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshment social begins at 7 p.m., and the presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.
6. Urban Riparian and Stream Restoration Workshop
   Professionals interested in conducting stream restoration projects throughout the Houston area should register by Friday, May 11, for The Texas Water Resources Institute Urban Riparian and Stream Restoration Program workshop on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Woodlands. Register at Texas A&M Marketplace. Registration is $100 and includes all training materials, lunch, and a certificate of completion. The workshop is limited to 40 people.
7. Rainwater Harvesting Class
   On May 11, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and The Woodlands Joint Powers Agency are co-hosting a workshop on rainwater harvesting for irrigation, livestock, wildlife, and firefighting. The class will be held at the Montgomery County Extension Office in Conroe. The cost is $25, with lunch included. For more information and to register, visit montgomery.agrilife.org.
8. Citizens’ Climate Lobby, The Woodlands Chapter meeting
   The Citizens’ Climate Lobby, The Woodlands Chapter will meet May 12, 2018, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), 8801 Gosling Road. Lunch will be provided. Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) / Climate Lobby (CCL), is a non-partisan, grass-roots organization that works to create political will for climate solutions by building constructive and respectful working relationships with members of Congress.  Please RSVP to Bill Bray 832-702-6227 or on Facebook.
9. Solarize Houston workshop
   The Houston Renewable Energy Coalition is offering a a free workshop for people to learn the basics of owning a solar system and saving on the purchase through Solarize Houston, with selected installer KW Solar. Also learn about how to have the comfort of instantaneous back-up power during a power outage AND saving money the rest of the year. The workshop will be held May 12, 2018, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Green Building Resource Center inside the City of Houston Permitting Center. For more information, visit houstonrenewableenergy.org.
10. Birds of a Feather! (Mother’s Day edition)
    On May 13, 2018, at 10:00 am, visit Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center and learn about the birds in the park and what great mothers they can be by making your very own bird nest. Learn more on the facebook event.
11. Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award Luncheon
    On May 14, 2018, the Bayou Preservation Association and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett will present the 2018 Bayou Stewardship Award to Mary Anne Piacentini, President and CEO of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, at its annual award luncheon, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at The Junior League. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bayoupreservation.org.
12. Congressional and State Senate Candidate Forum
    On May 14, 2018, from 7-8:30 p.m., Mi Familia Vota and OCA-Houston will cohost a Candidate Forum for candidates in the primary runoff elections for Congressional Districts 7 and 22 and Texas State Senate District 17. Among the topics that will be addressed are the environment, immigration, education, and gun reform. State District Judge Ravi Sandill will moderate the event, which will be held at the Chinese Community Center, 9800 Town Park Drive. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
13. Clean Water Initiative workshop
    According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nonpoint source pollution is the leading cause of water quality issues in the state. On May 16, 2018, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Clean Water Initiative will hold a workshop on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permits. To register, visit constantcontact.com.
14. STAR Reuse Council first-ever Houston tour
    The State of Texas Alliance for Reuse (STAR) Council is offering its first-ever Houston tour May 16-17, 2018. Participants will tour five reuse facilities of varying size, function, and mission to understand challenges, successes, and operating processes for each business; exchange ideas and network with professionals from private and public sectors involved with reuse activities; hear from an expert panel on how the Houston reuse community assisted with the Hurricane Harvey response; and brainstorm with industry professionals on how reuse and disaster relief could be better facilitated in Texas. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
15. Regional Recycling Roundtable
    On May 17, 2018, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a Regional Recycling Roundtable on the subject of recent policy changes with Maia Corbitt, governmental affairs director with Booth, Ahrens, & Werkenthin, P.C. For more information and to register, visit constantcontact.com.
16. SPARK Park dedication at Channelview’s Harvey Brown Elementary
    The SPARK School Program works with schools and neighborhoods to develop community parks on public school grounds throughout the Houston/Harris County area. This spring, the program is dedicating five new parks as part of its park desert initiative. The first will be at Harvey Brown Elementary, 16550 Wallisville Road in Channelview on May 17, 2018, at 1 p.m. For more information on all of the openings, visit sparkpark.org.
17. Breakfree from Plastics U.S. Grassroots Tour
    EARTHWORKS, one of #breakfreefromplastic member orgs in the US, has organized a speaking tour with communities and stakeholders in the frontline affected by plastics pollution in key places i.e. Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. The tour seeks to dig deeper into the various processes where plastic pollution should be mitigated starting with extraction to production. Together with Tejas Barrios and Texas Campaign for the Environment, we are hosting a discussion panel on “closing the loop, linking plastic production to fossil fuel extraction and the shale gas boom in the US. Plastics don’t just pollute the ocean, they pollute from cradle to grave starting with the communities impacted by oil & gas extraction from which plastics are made. May 17, 2018, at 7:00 pm. Learn more on Earthwork’s Facebook page.
18. Kinder Institute’s Urban Reads: “Market Cities, People Cities”
    On May 17,  2018, from 7-8:30 p.m., Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research will present Michael Emerson, professor of urban studies at North Park University in Chicago, and Kevin T. Smiley, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Buffalo, in a discussion of their new book, “Market Cities, People Cities: The Shape of Our Urban Future.” The event will take place at the BioScience Research Collaborative, 6500 Main Street. For more information and to register, visit kinder.rice.edu.
19. Tree Farm Community Event at Houston Botanic Garden
    On May 19, 2018, from 8 a.m.-noon, the public is invited to help set up the first of two tree farms at the new Houston Botanic Garden, 8205 N. Bayou Drive. This first public event at the garden is in partnership with Trees for Houston. Eventually, the 2-acre tree farm will consist of a variety of tree species and native trees including pines, oaks, magnolias and sycamores. Parking will be available in the clubhouse lot. For more information and to RSVP, visit hbg.org.
20. On-Site Sewage Systems Homeowner Education Course
    On May 19, 2018, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Galveston Bay Foundation, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension are co-hosting a free course to teach homeowners how to maintain their septic systems to save money and help keep our waterways healthy and clean. The course offers an overview of the two types of systems; information on system maintenance and inspection; and details on available resources to maintain, repair and replace aging systems. The course will be held at Bayou Vista MUD 12 Building, 2929 Highway 6, Suite 300. For more information and to register, visit galvbay.org.
    
21. Family Adventures on the Bay: Fishtastic Bay!
    On May 19, 2018, from 9 to 11 a.m., the Galveston Bay Foundation hosts “Fishtastic Bay Day!” at the Trinity Bay Discovery Center in Baytown, where participants can practice their fishing skills and study fish diversity found in the Bay. Activities include seining with a net and catch and release fishing with a certified Angler Instructor. Registration closes May 14. For more information and to register, visit galvbay.org.
22. Ecology Walking Tour of Buffalo Bayou Park
    On May 19, 2018, fro 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will offer a free walking tour of Buffalo Bayou Park highlighting the landscape and ecology of 19th century Texas that created Houston, as well as the importance of prairies in rebuilding this astonishing and all but vanished ecosystem. For more information, visit buffalobayou.org.
23. Kleb Woods Native Plant Walks
    On May, 19, 2018, join plant experts Charles Peterson and Paul Poling to learn about the native plants at the Kleb Woods Nature Center, 20303 Draper Road, Tomball. People of all ages and levels of experience are welcome. Another free walk will be held on May 23 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information, visit pct3.com.
24. Houston Hackathon 2018
    On May 19-20, 2018, Sketch City and its partnering organizations are hosting the sixth annual Houston Hackaton, “where tech, data, and policy nerds come together to work on projects that make Houston a better place to live.” This year’s Hackathon will focus on projects related to Census 2020, disaster response and recovery, public safety and criminal justice, and environmental advocacy. Seventeen environmental projects have already been proposed, relating to topics such as single use plastic in restaurants, superfund sites, bacterial contamination of waterways, green infrastructure, tree planting, water leaks, and community gardens. The free event will be held at The Cannon, 1336 Brittmoore Road. For more information and to register, visit houstonhackathon.com.
25. Call for Proposals:  Texas Children in Nature Summit and Champions Luncheon
    Texas Children in Nature will host the second TCiN Summit and Champions Luncheon in Corpus Christi December 6-7, 2018. TCiN is accepting session proposals from May 1 to June 29. Sessions are one hour in length and should relate to the TCiN Strategic Goals. Please consider how your work and session idea can inspire others to take action in their own community. Proposals will be reviewed by the TCiN planning committee and notifications will be sent out in August. Click here to submit your session proposal.
26. Deepwater Horizon NRDA Trustees Council reports
    In April, the Trustees Council of the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Assessment released its 2017 Annual Financial Summary Report and an overview of 2017 projects, planning and other activities. These reports, as well as information on each Restoration Area and an interactive map of projects, can be found at gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.
27. Texas Water Resources Institute 2017 Annual Report
    The Texas Water Resources Institute, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M, recently released its 2017 Annual Report describing science-based, community-supported solutions for the state’s pressing water quantity and quality challenges through internal expertise and external collaborations. See the report at twri.tamu.edu.
28. TV: Texas Parks & Wildlife
    Broadcast on KUHT Channel 8 at 3 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.
    • Discover history while floating down the Goliad Paddling Trail
    • Scientists use laser technology to preserve Hueco Tanks rock art
    • Sinking the Texas Clipper to create an artificial reef

Additional Upcoming Events

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