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Houston Environmental News Update September 25, 2019
September 25, 2019

Houston Environmental News Update September 25, 2019

National Public Lands Day, Green Infrastructure Field Trip, Greens Bayou Regatta, Green Jobs, and more

This Saturday, September 28, marks the National Environmental Education Foundation’s annual National Public Lands Day. To encourage people to join in and visit their public lands, NPLD is a fee-free day for all federal public lands and many state parks. Whether you volunteer on NPLD, enjoy some boating, hiking, fishing, or camping, or simply learn more about your public lands and the plants and wildlife that live there, NEEF invites you to take this day to enjoy the great outdoors and celebrate the lands that give us so much. You can enter your zip code or address to find an NPLD event near you.

Among the local organizations marking the day are Memorial Park Conservancy, which is hosting a volunteer trail clean-up followed by a beer social. Bayou Land Conservancy, which is hosting an invasive species removal event at Lake Houston Wilderness Park (see details below). Also, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is hosting a volunteer event. See details for all three events below. You can also learn about events at Lake Houston Wilderness Preserve and Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

The banner image is courtesy of the Memorial Park Conservancy.

CEC NOTES

Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival

Join the Houston GREEN Film Series at Rice Media Center on October 16, 2019, for “Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival.” We will showcase local short films that tell environmental stories. Secure a ticket today, or register to host an exhibit table, via Eventbright. Please watch the contenders on the CEC YouTube Channel, and give a thumbs up to your favorites to see them on the big screen. Submit a film for consideration via our Google Form. This event is sponsored by the CEC, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Bayou Land Conservancy, Houston Audubon, Houston Parks Board and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. After its premier, we’ll be taking the festival on the road; please contact alicia@cechouston.org if you would like to host a screening.

Earth Day Houston

Earth Day Houston, part of the 50th worldwide observance, will be held at Discovery Green on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Volunteer opportunities are available at earthdayhouston.org/volunteer/. Opportunities to sponsor and exhibit will be available soon.

Interested in serving on the CEC Board or a Committee?

CEC is seeking individuals who might be interested in joining our board of directors in January 2020, or volunteering to serve on one of our committees starting this year. We are hosting information sessions for prospective board and committee members to learn more about the commitment and opportunities. Upcoming sessions include the evenings of September 23, and October 15. For more information (including directions to our top secret world headquarters), please email rachel@cechouston.org.

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 opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron named official Bird of Houston

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner alongside Houston Audubon executive director Helen Drummond, recently proclaimed the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron as the official Bird of Houston. In an effort to increase awareness of the birds around us, Houston Audubon coordinated the Bird of Houston contest, where Houstonians voted on their favorite local bird through a series of bracket rounds. Over 60 bird species were originally nominated, leading to the final round which pitted the Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken against the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. For more details, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award nominations due Nov. 1

Each year, the Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award, awarded by the Bayou Preservation Association, recognizes individuals in the community who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to aiding in the conservation, preservation, restoration and/or advocacy of Houston’s waterways. Nominees can be from the non-profit, public or private sector. 2020 recipients will be honored at the Terry Hershey Bayou Stewardship Award Luncheon on May 5, 2020. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 1, 2019. For more information and to make a nomination, visit bayoupreservation.org.

Lone Star Legal Aid Environmental Justice September 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 monthly 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. Read the September edition here. Find previous editions at lonestarlegal.blog. To sign up for the free newsletter, click here.

Better Business Bureau offers accreditation program to nonprofits

The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers a free nonprofit accreditation program, begun by the Wise Giving Alliance, that offers guidance toward standardization of nonprofits. Twenty adopted standards outline good board governance, financial practices, good stewardship and planning, as well as policy adoption. Accreditation allows organizations to post the BBB logo on their websites. Learn more about the accreditation process at give.org. For more information or if your organization is interested in becoming accredited, please contact Sally J. Tyler, Charity Review Manager, Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas, styler@bbbhou.org.

Social Media Breakfast in Houston’s Gift of Guidance program seeks nonprofits

Social Media Breakfast in Houston is looking for nonprofits (must be 501c3 organizations in the Houston area) to apply for the 9th annual Gift of Guidance program with the Social Media Breakfast in Houston. During the program, which will be held on Dec. 13, 2019, from 8:30-10 a.m., at Houston Chronicle, the chosen non-profits organizations will be matched with SMBHOU volunteers who offer their pro bono advice to develop a mini social media plan over breakfast. To learn more about the program, watch this video on the SBMHOU Facebook page. The application deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. Nonprofits can apply here.

Certified Sustainability Practitioner Program in Houston

On Sept. 26-27, 2019, the Center for Sustainability and Excellence will bring its Certified Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner Program to Houston. CSE will focus on issues specific to Houston and the region such as the challenges and opportunities faced to keep Houston ahead of the game; an energy market ripe for sustainability training and how weather-related changes highlight opportunities to work in sustainability. The course provides practical tools to implement or advance a sustainability program with case studies, exercises, and networking. Participants who successfully complete a two-year Sustainability Action Plan qualify for the globally recognized CSR-P Certification. Find more information and register at cse-net.org.

Air Alliance Houston’s Breakfast with Bakeyah

On Sept. 26, 2019, from 8-9:30 a.m., Air Alliance Houston executive director Bakeyah Nelson will hold a breakfast conversation with former Houston Mayor Bill White about the city’s past efforts to address the region’s air quality challenges and opportunities moving forward. The event will be held at Houston Center Real Estate, 1601 Live Oak St. To RSVP, send an email to info@airalliancehouston.org. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Green Infrastructure Field Day

On Sept. 26, 2019, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and partner agencies will host a free field trip to Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center. Participants will hear from project partners about funding, implementation, maintenance, and lessons learned at the park; then venture into the wetlands to see several areas of the 400 acres of restored freshwater prairie-wetland ecosystem. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Cypress Creek Watershed Partnership meeting

On Sept. 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Houston-Galveston Area Council will hold a public meeting at the Cypress Creek Christian Community Center in Spring. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss water quality issues impacting the Cypress Creek watershed in Harris and Waller counties. At the meeting, the steering committee members for the project will be selected. Local stakeholders are invited to participate in the Cypress Creek Watershed Partnership, which will develop a watershed protection plan to address these challenges. For more information, visit cypresspartnership.com.

Exploration Green Community Town Hall

On Sept. 26, 2019, from 7-8:30 p.m., Exploration Green Conservancy and Clear Lake City Water Authority will host a community town hall meeting to present updates and information on the progress of the Exploration Green project. Presentations will be made by the Clear Lake City Water Authority, Exploration Green Conservancy, Texas Master Naturalists, and others involved in the excavation, planting, care and maintenance of the green space and storm water detention ponds. The meeting will be held at St. Bernadette Catholic Church’s Parish Life Center, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston. For more information, visit explorationgreen.org.

USGS Annual Groundwater Table Data: How Are We Doing?

On Sept. 26, 2019, beginning at 7 p.m., The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. will host a lecture by Chris Braun and Jason Ramage of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Texas Water Science Center titled “USGS Annual Groundwater Table Data: How Are We Doing?”. They will discuss the results from the latest round of measurements and highlight various trends that have developed over the past decades of data collection and analysis. The event will be held at the Houston Advanced Research Center, 8801 Gosling Road. For more information, visit thewoodlandsgreen.org.

RSVP for Journey of the Whooping Crane by Sept. 27

On Oct. 8, 2019, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Houston Zoo, Houston Audubon, and the International Crane Foundation will host a free film screening of Journey of the Whooping Crane, a 1-hour documentary illustrating the remarkable life story of Whooping Cranes and the extraordinary individuals who have dedicated their lives to these animals (see the trailer). The film will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer and crane expert. The event will be held at the Houston Zoo’s Brown Education Center. RSVP for free tickets by Sept. 27 to kate@savingcranes.org.

2020 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards applications due Sept. 27

Each year, the Governor’s Office and commissioners from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality honor the state’s most outstanding environmental projects through the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. Winners from across the state exemplify how Texans set the standard for ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste. See the winner videos for 2019 (including local finalists Houston Wilderness for its Texas Monarch Flyway Strategy and Houston Audubon Education Director Mary Anne Weber). Applications are being accepted through Friday, September 27. Learn more and apply at tceq.texas.gov.

2019 Texas Association for Environmental Education conference

From Sept. 27-28, 2019, the Texas Association for Environmental Education will hold its annual conference at Sea Star Base Galveston. The event will include mixture of seasoned and new environmental educators; workshops and field trips, short courses and breakout sessions, networking activities and more. For more information and to register, visit taee.org.

TWRC’s Run Wild Run Free 5K

On Sept. 28, 2019, the TWRC Wildlife Refuge Center will host its 2nd Annual Run Wild Run Free 5K Run/Walk at Nottingham Park. Proceeds benefit the TWRC’s efforts to rehabilitate wildlife in the greater Houston region. For more information and to register, visit twrcwildlifecenter.org.

Fall Native Plant Sale and Presentation

On Sept. 28, from 8 a.m.-noon, the Native Plant Society of Texas Clear Lake Chapter and the Environmental Institute of Houston present â€œGrowing Milkweeds and Fall Pollinator Plants for Your Butterfly Garden” followed by a plant sale. The event will be held at the UH-Clear Lake campus, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. For more information, visit npsot.org.

Native Landscaping Volunteer Workshop at Houston Arboretum

On Sept. 28, 2019, from 8:30-11 a.m., the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will hold a Native Landscaping Volunteer Workshop. Conservation Director Emily Manderson will shed some light on the important ecological work being done at the Arboretum. Volunteers will then head out on the trails with the conservation team to get firsthand experience planting native grasses and forbs along the Arboretum’s new Display Walk. For more information and to register, visit houstonarboretum.org.

National Public Lands Day with Bayou Land Conservancy

On Sept. 28, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Bayou Land Conservancy will host a volunteer event at Lake Houston Wilderness Park. Volunteers will help with invasive species removal and trash clean-up. Free snow cones will be available. For more information and to volunteer, visit bayoulandconservancy.org.

National Public Lands Day at Memorial Park

On Sept. 28, 2019, from 4-7 p.m., Memorial Park will celebrate National Public Lands Day by holding a volunteer opportunity. Volunteers will meet behind the Cullen Running Trails Center to help Memorial Park Conservancy in our volunteering efforts, then hang out and enjoy some complimentary Saint Arnold Brewing Company beer. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Greens Bayou Regatta

On Sept. 28, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m., the Greens Bayou Conservancy will host the Greens Bayou Regatta, which combines recreation, stewardship, and education on one of Houston’s most beautiful and secluded waterways. The 7.5 mile race course showcases two planned launch locations, Brock Park and Thomas Bell Foster Park. For more information and to register, visit greensbayouregatta.rallybound.org.

Take Me Outdoors Houston at Discovery Green

On Sept. 28, 2019, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Discovery Green will host Take Me Outdoors Houston, a family-friendly celebration of nature where Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff will provide hands-on activities, booths and information about natural resources in Houston. There will also be two educational demonstrations of live hawks and other raptors in flight by master falconer John Karger. For more information, visit discoverygreen.com.

Fall Wildfower Day at Lawther-Deer Park Prairie

On Sept. 28, 2019, from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., the Native Prairies Association of Texas will hold its Fall Wildflower Day at the Lawther-Deer Park Prairie. Participants will see prairie plants that they can use in their garden to attract pollinators, learn seed collecting techniques and take some Deer Park Prairie seeds home. For more information, visit wordpress.com.

Houston City Council At-Large Candidate Climate Solutions Forum

On Sept. 28, 2019, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., several local environmental groups will co-host a Climate Solutions Forum for candidates in the Houston At-Large City Council races. The event will be held at a private residence. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

The Art of Saving Sea Turtles

On Sept. 29, 2019, the Turtle Island Restoration Network will host “The Art of Saving Sea Turtles”, an evening benefit celebrating local sea turtle conservation and community art, at The Bryan Museum in Galveston. The event recognizes the efforts of TIRN and their supporters who promote, implement, and contribute to local sea turtle conservation and continuously lead the way in raising awareness and making significant contributions to improve and protect Texas oceans, beaches, and wildlife. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit seaturtles.org.

Houston’s Air Quality Challenges & What You Can Do

On Sept. 29, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church will hold an environmental education web meeting with Bakeyah Nelson, executive director of Air Alliance Houston, who will discuss air quality issues in Houston and how you can take action. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Deadline for Houston Climate Action Plan comments is Sept. 30

In July, the City of Houston rolled out its long-awaited draft Climate Action Plan. The plan, developed in conjunction with the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), has the goal of making Houston a carbon-neutral city by 2050. The plan includes four major goal areas: transportation, energy transition, building optimization, and materials management. The final plan is expected to be approved in December, with implementation to begin in 2020. Due to overwhelming response, the opportunity to provide feedback on the Climate Action Plan outline has been extended to September 30, 2019.  Please go here to download the outline and submit your comments.

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Conference abstracts due Sept. 30

The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Conference, with the theme “2020: A Milestone in Gulf of Mexico Research,” will be held Feb. 3-6, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. The conference will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. This milestone provides the opportunity to assess and synthesize just how much has been learned about oil spill and the Gulf ecosystem, explore how this wealth of research can inform regional management and policy, and begin charting a course for future research needs in the Gulf. The deadline for submitting abstracts is Sept. 30, 2019. Fore more information and to submit an abstract, visit cvent.com.

South Texas Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Meeting

On Oct. 1, 2019, the South Texas Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers will hold its monthly meeting at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square. The meeting will feature a dinner presentation by Joe Powell, chief scientist-engineering for Shell, titled “Addressing Climate Change, an Energy Industry Perspective.” For more information and to register, visit aiche.org.

The People’s Ecochallenge begins Oct. 2

The People’s Ecochallenge is an environmental and social engagement program, running Oct. 2-23, 2019. Participants select or create actions that align with their individual values and make a 21-day commitment to complete those actions, all the while practicing and reinforcing good habits. EcoChallenge is free to join and everyone is welcome. You can join an existing team, create a new one, or join the global Community team. For more information, visit peoples.ecochallenge.org.

Comments on wastewater consent decree due by Oct. 3

In July, Mayor Sylvester Turner’s announced the City of Houston’s proposed consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice, and the State of Texas. In 2018, Bayou City Watekeeper sent the City its notice of intent to sue for over 9,300 potential Clean Water Act violations. Since at least 2013, the City failed to comply with its permits by allowing raw or partially treated sewage to be discharged from its wastewater treatment and collection systems into the public waterways throughout the Houston area. Read a sampling of news coverage is here, here, and here. The Department of Justice is taking comments on the consent decree now. The deadline to submit comments is October 3, 2019. To learn more and to submit a comment, visit bayoucitywaterkeeper.org.

Conserving Native Plants of the Texas Coastal Prairies Symposium

On Oct. 3-5, 2019, the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold its 2019 Symposium, with the theme “Conserving Native Plants of the Texas Coastal Prairies,” at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in League City. For more information and to register, visit npsot.org.

Hobart Taylor Park Prairie Planting

On Oct. 4, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, the City of Houston’s Natural Resources Management Program will host a prairie planting event at Hobart Taylor Park, 8100 Kenton St. Interested volunteers can email naturalresources@houstontx.gov for more information and to RSVP. Participants should bring a refillable water bottle and clothes and shoes that can get muddy. Gloves and shovels will be provided.

16th Annual Run in the Park

On Oct. 5, 2019, the Hermann Park Conservancy will host the 16th Annual Run in the Park, a 10K run, 5K run, a 5K walk and a 1K Kids’ Run. Runners and joggers wind through a scenic course below the Park’s historic live oak canopy. The run begins and ends at Molly Ann Smith Plaza near the Jones Reflection Pool where family and friends cheer on participants. A Post-Race Party will feature food, drinks, music and more. For more information and to register, visit hermannpark.org.

Sustainable Solutions Summit

On Oct. 5, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m., the James B. Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University will host the Sustainable Solutions Summit, a student-run symposium that aims to spark thoughtful dialogue among Houston youth about the intersection between goals of economic development and environmental conservation. For more information and to register a school team, visit sustainablesolutio3.wixsite.com.

Specialty Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival

On Oct. 5, 2019, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., the Mercer Botanic Gardens will host its second annual Specialty Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival. The event will include children’s crafts and games, educational presentations, scarecrow displays, nature exhibitors and activities, food trucks, and more. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

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.

  • Fort Parker State Park offers a tranquil setting for camping, hiking, biking and fishing, and a lot of history, too
  • Watch a bee specialist relocate a hive of European honey bees, giving them a safe new home where they can keep on buzzing
  • A few bold bluebonnets pop up in early spring, followed by some friends

Additional Upcoming Events