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Houston Environmental News Update December 11, 2019
December 11, 2019

Houston Environmental News Update December 11, 2019

Elections, Christmas Bird Counts, Brews & Bayou Celebration, Holiday in the Gardens, Holiday with the Cranes, Green Jobs, and more

Collage of Tx License Plate letters spelling "VOTE"

In case you hadn’t heard, there are runoffs in elections on Saturday, December 14, for Houston mayor and several City Council positions (find the full list and polling locations at houstontx.gov) as well as in Bellaire and other municipalities in the greater Houston-Galveston region. Find details about voting at the Texas Secretary of State website at sos.state.tx.us. Please make your voice heard! (The “Vote” image above is courtesy of Kiki Neuman Creations. Kiki, in addition to being civically engaged, is passionate about creative reuse.)

At the end of 2018 we asked you to let us know what you see as issues or events of importance to the greater Houston region’s environmental community for 2019. This is what you told us:

  • Kids aren’t connecting with their natural environment
  • Fewer miles driven
  • Land conservation around Houston for greenways, habitat conservation, farm land
  • What our mayor is doing to help clean up Houston dumping, and how the city is cleaning the bayous
  • Converting open lots after Harvey into spot parks or wildlife habitat
  • Flood mitigation, water resource conservation, ecological restoration, youth education events

Now that are approaching the end of 2019, what do you, our readers, believe have been the most significant environmental accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events in the greater Houston region so far this year?

When we checked in with you in June, you told us that the ITC fire was especially notable, along with various items from the Texas Legislature, progress on the City of Houston Climate Action Plan and Resilience Plan, and hearings relating to the Ike Dike and to the I-45 Expansion Project. Please share your thoughts, and specifics, using this Google Form. We’ll report back!

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.

CEC NOTES

Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour

Audience at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at River Oaks Theatre.
VOTE

Join CEC for two nights of inspiration at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the River Oaks Theatre on January 28 and 29, 2020. Each night will feature a different selection of films. The event will also feature local films from Houston Parks Board, Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Environmental Defense Fund, all winners of the Wild About Houston Film Festival in October. Consider sponsoring the festival or ordering a block of tickets for your coworkers, neighbors or extended family. Visit the CEC website or Facebook page to purchase your tickets today.

Earth Day Houston: Exhibitor Registration now available

Earth Day Houston, part of the 50th worldwide observance, will be held at Discovery Green on Sunday, April 19, 2020.

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.

Christmas Bird Counts continue through Jan. 5

The 120th Annual Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the Audubon Society, continues at locations throughout the greater Houston-Galveston region through Jan. 5, 2020. Click on the links below to find details about a bird count near you.

OLE! Texas seeks volunteers for Goose Creek CISD campus

OLE (Outdoor Learning Environments)! Texas is a statewide initiative that improves outdoor spaces at child care centers. Peter Hyland Center is an alternative high school campus for Goose Creek CISD students, and the Child Care Center provides a space for on‐site child care. OLE! Texas is working to add to the existing natural play area, and they are looking for volunteers to assist with the necessary components to turn the area into a rain garden. Please contact Justin Rahman at Justin.Rahman@phs.hctx.net if you are interested in volunteering for this project.

Memorial Park Conservancy seeks public input

Memorial Park Conservancy invites everyone in the greater Houston community to take a survey to provide critical feedback and help guide Park offerings and programming. The Conservancy requests members of the public take a few minutes to explain how they enjoy and experience Memorial Park. Please visit constantcontact.com to take the survey. You can also participate in the survey by visiting memorialparkconservancy.org or by following MPC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

$226 Million in Projects Approved in Second Open Ocean Restoration Plan

The Deepwater Horizon Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group this week released the Final Open Ocean Restoration Plan 2 selecting 18 projects totaling almost $226 million to help restore fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and mesophotic and deep benthic communities injured by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The plan and its projects represent the largest dedication of Natural Resource Damage Assessment funds to restore these oceanic marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico to date. For full details, visit noaa.gov.

TCEQ seeks comments on Water Quality Management Plan through Dec. 12

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requests comments from the public on the draft October 2019 Water Quality Management Plan Update for the State of Texas. Once the commission certifies a WQMP update, it is submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for approval. The comment period is underway and ends on Dec. 12, 2019. Information on submitting comments can be found at tceq.texas.gov.

Brews & Bayou Holiday Celebration

On Dec. 12, 2019, from 5:30-8 p.m., the Bayou Land Conservancy will hold its Brews & Bayous Holiday Celebration and Ambassadors Graduation at the Southern Yankee Beer Company. To purchase tickets, visit bayoulandconservancy.org.

State of the Bay Symposium early registration ends Dec. 13

The Galveston Bay Estuary Program will host the 11th State of the Bay Symposium on January 22-23, 2020 at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston. The Symposium an opportunity for stakeholders to interact and share environmental policy and management successes, report the latest monitoring and research findings, and illuminate the challenges facing Galveston Bay. Early registration continues through Dec. 13, 2019. For more information and to register, visit gbep.texas.gov.

Scholarships available for educators to attend State of the Bay Symposium

Scholarships are available for environmental education providers to attend the Galveston Bay Estuary Program’s State of the Bay Symposium on January 22-23, 2020, at the Moody Gardens Hotel and Convention Center in Galveston (see above). Plan on hosting an exhibit table, and participating in an EE workshop. For more information, please contact Alicia at alicia@cechouston.org.  

Free Farm Tours: Explore Your Food

On Dec. 14, 2019, Finca Tres Robles will offer free tours of the urban farm. This is a chance to see what’s growing on the farm and meet who is growing it. Tours are free and start every hour on the half hour. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Holiday in the Gardens

On Dec. 14, 2019, Mercer Botanic Gardens will host its Holiday in the Gardens Festival and Market, a family-oriented event offering a holiday market, winter plant sale, live music and a Christmas tree display. Attractions include face painting, a visit from Santa, and holiday-themed crafts, while supplies last. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Holiday with the Cranes

On Dec. 14-15, 2019, the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council will present “Holiday with the Cranes,” celebrating the return of the island’s wintering Sandhill Cranes. The weekend includes indoor and outdoor nature activities combined with the ambience of historic Galveston Island. For more information and to purchase tickets before they sell out, visit galvestonnaturetourism.org.

Memorial Park Winter Chill Out

On Dec. 17, 2019, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., Memorial Park Conservancy will host a Winter Chill Out, where families can campfire s’mores and outdoor games led by the Conservancy staff who will be answering questions and giving special insider tips about how to enjoy all the Park has to offer. Folding chairs are encouraged but not required. All are invited. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Houston Renewable Energy Group meeting

On Dec. 17, 2019, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the Houston Renewable Energy Group will hold its monthly meeting at the United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive. For more information, visit houstonrenewableenergy.org.

Green Books discussion at GBRC

On Dec. 18, 2019, from 6-8 p.m., Steve Stelzer, director of the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center, will give a presentation on his ‘Continuing Education 101’ list of books which allow readers to explore subjects in depths that are either abbreviated or receive little coverage in the mainstream media; a way to keep up with current thought leaders; and further insight into the whys of green building and behavior. For more information and to RSVP, visit codegreenhouston.org.

Blackhawk Park Prairie Planting Event

On Dec. 21, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, the City of Houston’s Parks and Natural Resources Department will hold a volunteer prairie planting event a Blackhawk Park, 9401 Fuqua 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.

Sanctuary Work Party at Raptor and Education Center

On Dec. 21, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m., Houston Audubon will hold a volunteer Sanctuary Work Party at the Raptor and Education Center at Sims Bayou for a morning of gardening and sanctuary maintenance. Activities include trail maintenance, filling bird feeders and baths, litter pick-up, native gardening, carpentry and invasive species removal. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and meet like-minded friends. For more information and to register, visit the Facebook event.

Willow Waterhole Walking Tour

On Dec. 21, 2019, beginning at 10 a.m., the Willow Waterhole Greenway will hold a free Walking Tour of about 60-90 minutes in length which is easily walkable for all ages. Participants will learn about the history of the greenspace, upcoming events, and future plans. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Owl Prowl at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

On Dec. 21, 2019, beginning at 6 p.m., the Edith L. Moore Sanctuary and Houston Audubon will host an Owl Prowl. Participants can meet live, rehabilitated ambassador owls after a fascinating program at the log cabin, followed by a walk through the wooded trails in search of wild owls. For more information, see 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.

  • Game Wardens do a lot of varied tasks with a wide variety of tools. One of their tools has a fuzzy face and four legs. Meet the Texas Game Warden K-9’s
  • San Solomon Springs in west Texas is a true oasis in the desert. But oil and gas production can threaten the spring, placing its endangered species at more risk. Chad Norris is working to save the springs
  • A Classic Competition from the Coast is now statewide and open to all. How many different birds can be seen in a day, a morning, or from just one spot? Follow some folks who decided to find out

Additional Upcoming Events