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Houston Environmental News Update May 22, 2019
May 22, 2019

Houston Environmental News Update May 22, 2019

Houston Zoo’s Texas Wetlands grand opening, National Trails Day, 2019 North American Prairie Conference, Green Jobs, and more

We’re coming up on the last day of school for most students in the greater Houston area, and you know what that means: summer camp season is right around the corner! Our region offers a wealth of opportunities for kids to take in the outdoors and learn something about the environment throughout the hot summer months. Below is just a sampling.

Of course, these are but a few of the opportunities available for youngsters this summer. For a whole lot more, check out Sarah Gish’s extensive database of area day camps at daycampshouston.com.

The top image is courtesy of The Children’s Museum of Houston.

CEC NOTES

Save the Dates: Green Films, Greater Houston Environmental Summit, Environmental Educators Exchange, Earth Day

  • Houston Green Films: Please join CEC, the Houston Green Film Series, the Rice Media Center, and additional partners on June 19, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. for conversation, networking, and a light meal, followed by a film at 7 p.m. and panel discussion at 8 p.m. The featured film will be “Don’t Panic: The Truth About Population.” Free to the public, although donations are kindly appreciated. Sign up for information about this event and other green film news at constantcontact.com. Events are held the third Wednesday of each month.
  • Greater Houston Environmental Summit: Friday, August 2, 2019, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Community Resource Center at the United Way of Greater Houston. In addition to excellent presentations, we will again offer small-format table talks. Details and registration will be available early summer 2019.
  • Earth Day Houston, part of the 50th worldwide observance, will be held at Discovery Green on Sunday, April 19, 2020.
  • The Environmental Educators’ Exchange next quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. Location TBD.

Candidate Forums and Questionnaires

7 days of being engaged in the community

Are you organizing a candidate forum or questionnaire for the November 2019 election? CEC is gathering information about election-related activities within our environmental communities. Let us know what you are planning, and we’ll keep you in the loop. CEC is interested in either hosting, coordinating, and/or supporting the efforts of local environmental nonprofits leading up to the election. Send your comments to rachel@cechouston.org. Note: the filing deadline for the November City of Houston elections is August 26, 2019.

Networking & Field Trips for Summer Interns

Are you interested in meeting future environmental leaders and telling them about your important work? CEC will be hosting several interns this summer and would like to arrange field trip, networking, and mentorship opportunities for them. If you are interested in hosting them for a meeting or tour, please let us know. If you are interested in having your environmental interns join CEC’s interns, we’d be delighted to have them join us. Email rachel@cechouston.org for more information.

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.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the events listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

Texas issues seafood advisory following Bayport Channel collision

The Galveston Bay Foundation reports that the Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a seafood consumption advisory in Galveston and Trinity Byas resulting from the May 10 collision between a ship and two barges in the Houston Ship Channel east of Barbours Cut. The collision released reformate, a refined product that is extremely flammable and can be fatal if swallowed and is toxic to marine life. Exposure to the chemical vapor does not pose a long-term health concern, but it can cause short-term effects like headache, nausea, and eye irritation in people who come into contact with it. For more details, visit galvbaygrade.org.

Public’s input sought on City of Houston 2019 Water Conservation Plan

Houston Public Works is seeking public input on the proposed 2019 Water Conservation Plan. Houston’s population is projected to increase by 50 percent in the next 40 to 50 years. In addition, surrounding counties that have wholesale water accounts with Houston Water are also projected to double their population. Public feedback will help make sure the proposed Water Conservation Plan is right for our community and guide future investments in water conservation programs. Public input can be made through an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/waterconservationplan or by emailing waterconservation@houstontx.gov. The online survey closes Friday, May 31 at 5 p.m. and should take no more than two minutes to complete. 

Houston receives a ParkScore of 85 in national index

The Trust for Public Land this week released its 2019 ParkScore® rankings, an analysis of the 100 largest U.S. cities based on park access, acreage, amenities, and funding. The method awards each city points for acreage based on two equally weighted measures: median park size and parkland as a percentage of city area. Cities can earn a maximum ParkScore® of 100. Houston received a ranking of 85 (see the summary). Click to see an interactive map showing where Houston most needs parks.

Lone Star Legal Aid Environmental Justice newsletter

The Environmental Justice Team at Lone Star Legal Aid publishes Environmental Justice News, which keeps communities updated on the team’s ongoing environmental law efforts throughout its 72-county service area in Texas. The newsletter provides an overview of the types of legal cases they are handling for eligible individuals and organizations who are living in fenceline communities and other areas where environmental justice is a concern. To sign up for the free newsletter, click here.

Coastal Communities Water Quality Outreach Work Group meeting

On May 23, 2019, from 1-3 p.m., the Coastal Communities Water Quality Outreach Work Group will meet at the Brazoria County Library in Angleton. The work group helps local governments in coastal counties network with education/outreach organizations and other governments to educate their residents about simple behavior changes to reduce sources of water pollution in area waterways. The meeting is open to the public. The Oyster Creek Bacteria Reduction Coordination Committee Meeting will be held immediately after the work group, from 3-5 p.m. For more information, visit coastalcommunitiestx.com.

HARC’s Road to Net-Zero Energy

On May 23, 2019, from 7-8:30 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will host a Going Green lecture by Dr. Mustapha Beydoun, vice-president and COO at the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), along with Carolos Gamarra, HARC senior research associate, titled “HARC’s Road to Net-Zero Energy.” They will provide an overview of the unique features of HARC’s LEED Platinum building, while offering an update on the facility’s journey to becoming one of the first certified commercial Net-Zero Energy (NZE) buildings in Texas. 
The event will be held at the HARC building in The Woodlands. For more information, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org.

Katherine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands Opening at Houston Zoo

On May 24, 2019, Houston Zoo will hold the Grand Opening of the Katherine G. McGovern Texas Wetlands. The Texas Wetlands brings together three native Texas species—bald eagles, whooping cranes, and American alligators—in a lush wetland habitat. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act and the efforts of Texans, these three species, once close to extinction, now thrive in the Lone Star State. For more information, visit houstonzoo.org.

Ann Hamilton Trail Walking Tour

On May 25, 2019, from 10-11 a.m., the Katy Prairie Conservancy will host a free walking tour of the Ann Hamilton Trail in the Indiangrass Preserve. Visitors of all ages can learn about the history and value of the coastal prairie and KPC’s role in preserving these vanishing lands. For more information, visit katyprairie.org.

Milby Park Cleanup

On May 31, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, the City of Houston’s Natural Resources Management Program will host a cleanup of the riparian restoration area of Charles H. Milby Park, 2001 Central Street. To volunteer, send an email to Naturalresources@houstontx.gov.

Free Solar Power Workshop

On May 31, 2019, from 2-4 p.m., local expert Bill Swann will lead a free workshop addressing the basics on how to install and operate a solar system. The workshop is ideal for those with a technical background or a DIYer in need of guidance or troubleshooting with their solar installation project. Hands-on experience will be provided with the installation of a ground-mount system. The workshop will be held at TX/RX Labs, 205 Roberts Street, Houston.

Call for presentations: 37th Annual Texas Association for Environmental Education Conference

The 37th Annual Texas Association for Environmental Education Conference will be held September 27-28 on Galveston Island. TAEE serves all regions of the Texas community by increasing the effectiveness of environmental education. The conference is geared toward formal and informal environmental educators, including classroom teachers, museums, parks, zoos, environmental agencies, and others. Click here to submit a proposal by June 1. For more information, visit taee.org

National Trails Day at Memorial Park

On June 1, 2019, Memorial Park Conservancy will host a celebration of National Trails Day. The Conservancy team will lead groups on the South Side trails between 9-11 a.m. Learn about the ecology of the Park, what makes Memorial Park unique, and the Conservation work going on. If you want to explore on your own, stop by to pick up a trail map or a self-guided scavenger hunt for kids. There will also be volunteer opportunities to maintain the Park’s trails, bike tune-ups, food and beverages. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Houston Botanic Garden Spring Saturday Series with Trees for Houston

On June 1, 2019, Houston Botanic Garden will host its latest Spring Saturday Series with two events with Trees for Houston. At 9 a.m., there will be a family workshop called “The Importance of Trees” that will teach kids about basic tree biology and the importance of trees in our urban environment. At 11 a.m., there will be an adult workshop that will teach the basics of tree identification, proper planting techniques, site suitability, and planting care. The class will also focus on the environmental and practical role of trees in our growing city. For more information and to register, visit hbg.org.

National Trails Day: Creek Bash

On June 1, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m., Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center will host a Creek Bash volunteer activity to celebrate National Trails Day. Park staff and volunteers will clean up the creek and ponds around Jones Park to improve the environment for future generations. Participants should wear closed-toe shoes and clothing suitable for wet and muddy conditions. All ages welcome. Ages 16+ only for canoeing clean-up. Reservations are required by calling 281-446-8588

E-waste recycling event in Kingwood

On June 1, 2019, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., CompuCycle will be at the Kingwood METRO Park and Ride to collect and responsibly recycle old, obsolete or broken electronics. The service is paid for by the City of Houston, and for items such as TVs that incur a cost for the City, they are only to be collected from City residents. For more information, visit keepkingwoodgreen.org.

2019 North American Prairie Conference June 2-5 at UH Clear Lake

The 2019 North American Prairie Conference will be held June 2-5, 2019, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. The conference — featuring experts in prairie conservation, restoration, education, and communications from Texas, the Southeast, and the Midwest
— will spotlight how prairies help to create healthy watersheds for people and wildlife. Find more information and register at northamericanprairie.org.

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.

  • Biologists fit wild turkeys with backpacks to track their habitat needs
  • Learn where turkeys live in Texas
  • Calling turkeys is in art

Additional Upcoming Events