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Houston Environmental News Update October 2, 2019
October 2, 2019

Houston Environmental News Update October 2, 2019

Upcoming elections, Prairies and Pollinators, Conserving Native Plants, Texas Recycling Summit, Green Jobs, and more

As people with a particular interest in the environment and making our region healthier, more sustainable and beautiful, we know we have to remain engaged in the political process.

On November 5, 2019 numerous municipalities in the region, including the City of Houston, will hold elections for local officeholders, including in mayoral and city council races. Various groups have held environmentally themed candidate forums for Houston’s mayoral and at-large council races. (If you know of any more coming up, please let us know at news@cechouston.org.) Texas legislators approved a host of amendments to the Texas Constitution–involving park funding, flood recovery funds, and school funding, among other things–that will be on the ballot.

Here in Texas, the deadline to register to vote is October 7, 2019. Early voting begins on Monday, October 21. Not sure whether you are registered or how to register? You can visit votetexas.gov or contact the voter registrar for your county (listed below).

When researching how candidates address environmental issues, we recommend long-time CEC member organization, the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area. The website includes important resources including important election dates, videos of conversations with the candidates, and much more.

Can’t or don’t vote? You aren’t alone, according to a study on civic engagement by Rice University’s Kinder Institute. Become engaged by volunteering, getting to know your neighbors, contacting elected officials, joining a group, or donating. CEC can help with any of these thing. 😉

Can you identify the critters in the banner photo above (taken at Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center)? The wittiest and most accurate identification, as determined by a panel of un-impartial judges, will win two free tickets to and two free tacos at the 2019 Wild About Houston Green Film Festival on October 16. Bonus prize if you provide a better photo of a similar, indigenous species.

CEC NOTES

Wild About Houston: A Green Film Festival

Join CEC on October 16, 2019, for the Wild About Houston Green Film Festival, the October installment of the Houston GREEN Film Series at Rice Media Center. The festival will showcase local short films that tell environmental stories. At 6 p.m., before the films, enjoy a free guided tour of Rice’s Holistic Garden (next door to the Media Center). Tacodeli will be on hand to sell scrumptious tacos. Films start at 7 pm.

Secure a ticket or register to host an exhibit table on Eventbright. This event is organized by the CEC and sponsored by Armand Bayou Nature Center, Bayou Land Conservancy, Galveston Bay Foundation, Houston Audubon, Houston Parks Board, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, One Breath Partnership, and Houston Metro. After the festival’s premiere, CEC will be taking the show on the road; please contact alicia@cechouston.org if you would like to host a screening.

Environmental Educators Exchange: Kickerillo Mischer Preserve

Environmental Educators, unite! All are welcome on November 6 at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve for the fall meeting of the Environmental Educators’ Exchange. Come and go as your schedule allows. Canoe from 3:30 – 5:00, network from 5 – 5:45, and take a night hike from 5:45 – 6:30. Our goal is to provide a space to rejuvenate, network, and learn about trends in environmental education. All are welcome (including children). RSVP on Eventbrite or contact alicia@cechouston.org.

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. Join CEC on October 15 for an information session for prospective board and committee members to learn more about the commitment and opportunities. 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.

2019 Prairies & Pollinators

A regional celebration from Mid-September through Mid-November 2019. Includes nature hikes, classes, seed collecting events, festivals, film fests, etc., that celebrate the Coastal Prairies of our region. Full event details located at http://prairiepartner.org/2019-prairies-pollinators.

Sarah Coles named Texas Children in Nature State Coordinator

Texas Children in Nature, a grassroots network of over 375 partner organizations and individuals working together to connect children and families with nature in Texas, recently named Sarah Coles as its new State Coordinator. Coles has worked in the Informal Education system for the last 14 years. She taught in the classroom for two years before moving into the informal education field, working at various institutions across the country. After focusing mainly on EcoHistory (the study of how humans have adapted and influenced their environment) she gained a passion for seeing students, children and families in nature. She served as the Education Director at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Museum from 2013-2018, then worked at the Nueces Delta Preserve and the Port Aransas Nature Preserves.

Ideas sought for Region-wide Restoration Planning

The Region-wide Trustee Implementation Group is beginning the process of considering restoration activities that will address injuries caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Groups is seeking restoration project ideas that benefit living coastal and marine resources that range throughout the Gulf of Mexico. In the upcoming first restoration plan, a range of projects will be considered to address injuries to the following restoration types: birds, marine mammals, oysters, and sea turtles. For the full Notice of Opportunity for Public Input of Project Ideas, including additional information on project submission, restoration focus, and restoration types, see the latest Region-wide web update.

The People’s Ecochallenge continues through Oct. 23

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 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.

An Evening For Educators

On Oct. 4, 2019, the Houston Museum of Natural Science will host “An Evening for Educators.” This conference-style event gives educators a unique chance to learn about the educational opportunities provided by museums, educational nonprofits, and local organizations in and around Houston. Houston-area educators can earn one hour of CPE credit while viewing the newest special exhibition, The Art of the Brick, and the newly renovated George W. Strake Hall of Malacology. All attendees will enjoy light refreshments and have access to a cash bar. For more information and to register, visit hmns.org.

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.

The Ecological Crisis & The Response of Faith: An Interfaith Discussion on Action & Advocacy

On Oct. 6, 2019, from 4-5:30 p.m., the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will hold a discussion about the present ecological crisis and how people’s faiths can enable them to respond. A speaker will use the United Nations’ Global Environmental Outlook to address these questions, followed by facilitated discussions among people of all faiths. The event will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. The presentation portion of this event will also be available online.  For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Parks and Natural Areas Awards Deadline Extended to October 7

Due to disruptions from Tropical Storm Imelda, the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s
Parks and Natural Areas (PNA) Awards applications will remain open until 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7. PNA awards honor projects in four categories: Projects Over $500,000; Projects Under $500,000; Planning Process; and Policy Tools. Winning entries serve as models for planning and project implementation for parks and natural areas in the region. An online application guide is available. Winners will be notified in December. The awards ceremony and half-day parks event will be in February 2020. For more information, contact Andrea Tantillo at 832-681-2507.

21st Annual Texas Recycling Summit

From Oct. 7-9, 2019, the 21st Annual Texas Recycling Summit will be held at the  Wyndham River Walk Hotel in San Antonio. Approximately 200-300 professionals representing private sector companies, governments, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and trade associations attend the summit each year. The summit features educational sessions, equipment demonstrations, roundtable discussions, and training opportunities. For more information and to register, visit recyclingstar.org.

SSPEED Center 2019 Conference

From Oct. 8-9, 2019, the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, & Evacuation from Disasters Center at Rice University will hold its 2019 Conference, “Post-Harvey Era: Resilient Engineering, Infrastructure & Policy”. Academic, consulting and governmental experts will present updates on numerous topics including coastal surge mitigation, the influence of climate change on recent and future storms, and water quality concerns during extreme storms. For more information and to register, visit sspeed.rice.edu.

Lunch Bunch: Surprisingly Spooky, Marvelously Mysterious Plants

On Oct. 9, 2019, from noon-1 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will host a brown-bag Lunch Bunch called “Surprisingly Spooky, Marvelously Mysterious Plants.” Education Director Jennifer Garrison will discuss characteristics and folklore of common and not-so-common garden plants. A short garden tour is included. For more information, visit the Facebook event .

Environmental Disasters in Harris County Symposium

On Oct. 10, 2019, the Harris County Attorney’s Office will host a symposium entitled “Environmental Disasters in Harris County” to bring awareness and discuss environmental issues ranging from environmental justice to environmental enforcement. For more information, visit harriscountycao.org.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s Landowner Summit

On Oct. 11, 2019, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the Texas AgriLife Extension Service will hold its Landowner Summit at the Washington County Fairgrounds Event Center in Brenham. Topics include understanding the ecosystem of your land, riparian area management and erosion control, and more. For more information and to register, visit washington.agrilife.org.

Climate in Crisis lecture with Dahr Jamail

On Oct. 11, 2019, at 7 p.m., independent journalist Dahr Jamail, author of The End of Ice, will present a free lecture titled Climate in Crisis at Emerson Universalist Church. For more information, visit theendofice.com.

Big Thicket Day 2019

On Oct. 12, 2019, beginning at 10 a.m., the Big Thicket Association will hold Big Thicket Day 2019, a celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Big Thicket Association (established 1964) and the 45th anniversary of the Big Thicket National Preserve (established 1974). The event will be held at Colliers Ferry Landing in Beaumont. For more information, visit bigthicket.org.

Bike Around the Bay

On Oct. 12-13, 2019, the Galveston Bay Foundation will hold the 2019 Bike Around the Bay, a unique cycling event takes riders in a complete loop around the largest estuary in Texas and showcases the picturesque coastal landscapes of the Galveston Bay area. For more information and to register, visit gbf.convio.net.

Raptor Flight Identification workshops

On Oct. 12-13, 2019, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will be holding Raptor Flight Identification workshops with photographer, researcher, and author William S. Clark. Saturday’s workshop will be held at the GCBO in Lake Jackson. Sunday’s workshop will be held at Smith Point in Chambers County. For more information and to register, visit gcbo.org.

Fall Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale

On Oct. 12, 2019, from 10 a.m.-noon, the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center will host a Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale, where these items can be purchased at a discounted price. The event will be held at the Houston Permitting Center. For more information, visit rainwatersolutions.com.

2019 KBR Kids Day

On Oct. 12, 2019, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host the 2019 KBR Kids Day, a free day of family fun at Guadalupe Plaza Park. Activity stations will include numerous hands-on activities from over 20 Houston partners, local entertainment and performers, Dia de los Muertos face painters, balloon artists, a rock climbing wall, and more. For more information, visit buffalobayou.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.

  • From raising chicks to building nest boxes, meet a husband and wife team, that’s spent half their lives working to save the Chimney Swift
  • When paddlefish were stocked in Caddo Lake in 2014, it was truly an experiment. Get an update on how the fish are doing now
  • Flying to Mexico each fall makes migrating monarchs hungry. See them fuel up at a Central Texas rest stop

Additional Upcoming Events