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Houston Environmental News Update January 2, 2020
January 2, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update January 2, 2020

Egret

Happy New Year, Predictions & Reflections, Bird Counts, EJ News, Green Jobs, Healthy Gulf, Green Coast, and more

We would like to start the year by expressing our gratitude to you, our supporters, for being part of our environmental community. You stay informed by reading our newsletter, and many of you share what you learn, are involved in activities and opportunities, and make a difference. Many of you have participated in events, engaged on social media, or donated-THANK YOU!

We’d also like to know what you are thinking about for the coming year. Please take a few minutes to fill out part or all of our survey for 2020. We ask:

  • What do you see as issues or events of importance to the greater Houston region’s environmental community in 2020?
  • What headline would you like to see about the Houston environment in 2020?
  • What is your environmental resolution for 2020? (If you want to volunteer more with an environmental organization–hint, hint–email rachel@cechouston.org.)

Earlier this year, we asked you what you what you thought were the most significant accomplishments, controversies, issues, news, and events in the greater Houston region impacting the environment. Here are some of your responses:

What did we miss? Send your suggestions to news@cechouston.org.

Thank you to Wendy Wright for sharing the banner photo of a Great Egret. See more of her bird photos in the ‘Zines she produces for the White Oak Bayou Association.

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

If you’re looking for a fun, indoor activity in January, consider the Wild and Scenic Film Festival at the River Oaks Theatre. Early bird discount tickets end TUESDAY, January 7. 

Hosted by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, this ever-popular film fest will be January 28 & 29, where patrons will enjoy ten short films, showcasing subjects ranging from fishing bats, to boys with butterflies, to girls on glaciers. Different films show each night; purchase a pass to see them all.

CEC uses this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of our member organizations, and inspire our community to make a difference in the environment and quality of life. Each night, a different local film will be shown that was a winner of the Wild About Houston Green Film Festival. This year’s winning videos are from the Environmental Defense Fund, Houston Parks Board, and Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

Festival tickets are now on sale through Eventbrite. Please help us promote the festival by sharing our Facebook event page.

THANK YOU to our Projector Sponsors:

We are thankful for our Film Sponsors: Hydroshack, Texas Coastal Exchange, Lower Brazos Riverwatch, Friends of Woodland Park, Cacao and Cardamom, McMac CX, The Nature Conservancy, Americas, and Vossos Landscape Design.

Contact alicia@cechouston.org to become a sponsor, or visit our sponsorship page. Sign up for additional news about the Houston Green Film Series on our Constant Contact form.

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.

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

Healthy Gulf launches electronic newsletter

Healthy Gulf, an organization that advocates for the restoration of the natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico region, has launched the electronic edition of its biannual newsletter, Gulf Currents. In the latest edition, it takes a deep dive into Gulf oysters, highlights new hard-won protections for the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale, looks at the legal battles mounting over the offshore drilling Well Control Rule, and examines community concerns about the proposed Texas Coastal Barrier. Healthy Gulf used to called the Gulf Restoration Network.

Baker Institute publishes ‘The Green Coast’

The Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy recently published a paper titled “The Green Coast: Combining Texas’ Values, Economy, and Ecology to Create a Resilient Coast,” by Jim Blackburn and Elizabeth Winston-Jones. The paper outlines proposals that integrate economic development and nature to address our region’s flood problems, as well as structural solutions that serve multiple purposes. Find the full paper at bakerinstitute.org.

First Saturday Bird Walk at Jesse H. Jones Park

On Jan. 4, 2019, from 7:45-9:45 a.m., the Piney Woods Wildlife Society will host a bird walk at Jesse H. Jones Park. Bring binoculars and (optionally) a field guide. Birders ages 10+. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Bird Friendly New Year’s

On Jan. 4, 2019, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Houston Audubon will host activities including a walk in the woods and a scavenger hunt, as well as hot beverages, cookies, craft and more in the cabin. This is a drop in event and is open to all ages. For more information, see the Facebook event.

WISE Awards Applications beginning Jan. 6

The Houston-Galveston Area Council will accept Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards applications from Monday, January 6, through Thursday, February 6. The WISE Awards are a new initiative honoring innovative strategies and projects in the Houston-Galveston region that serve as models for improving water quality in four categories: Planning and Policy; Education and Public Awareness; Built Project (Greater than $500k); and Built Project (Less than $500k). Winning projects must exhibit efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.

CLE Luncheon with Jim Blackburn

On Jan. 8, 2019, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Harris County Democratic Lawyers Association will host a luncheon CLE event with environmental attorney Jim Blackburn discussing ” “Climate Change, Houston Flooding, & Green New Deal.” The event will be held at Churassco’s River Oaks. For more information and to register, see the Facebook event.

Lunch Bunch at Mercer: Volunteer Opportunities

On Jan. 8, 2019, beginning at noon, the Mercer Botanical Gardens will host a brown-bag Lunch Bunch in which the volunteer coordinator and explore the many volunteer opportunities at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Our volunteers not only help beautify the gardens and further educational programs, they also gain lifelong friendships and valuable knowledge of plants and horticulture. Registration is required. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the High Island Sanctuaries

On Jan. 9, 2020, from 7-8:30 p.m., Houston Audubon will host a behind-the-scenes tour of the sanctuaries at High Island, which is world renowned for its productive rookery island and excellent birding during the spring migration. High Island Coastal Sanctuaries Manager Pete Deichmann will talk about ongoing and past habitat projects as well as plans for the future. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Houston Sierra Club: Trash in Our Waterways

On Jan. 9, 2020, from 7-9 p.m., the Sierra Club Houston Group will hold its monthly meeting featuring Amanda Hackney of Black Cat GIS & Biological Services, will talk about the Galveston Bay Watershed Trash Action Plan and ongoing efforts to reduce waterborne pollution from the bayous to the bay.  The event will be held at Pecore Hall at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. For more information, visit sierraclub.org .

I-45 Expansion Project comments due Jan. 10

The Texas Department of Transportation has released an updated draft of the Community Impacts Assessment (CIA) Technical Report for the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. LINK Houston asks members of the public to respond to TxDOT during the public comment period by Jan, 10, 2020. The new report revises the 2017 assessment of how TxDOT anticipates the $7 billion, 25-mile long project will impact real people. Let TxDOT know how you feel about the expanded footprint and demand that TxDOT take more steps to keep families in their homes and protect historical sties. LINK Houston asks members of the public to respond to TxDOT during the public comment period by Jan. 10, 2020 via:

  1. Email at HOU-piowebmail@txdot.gov
  2. Mail to: TxDOT Houston District Office, Director of Project Development, P.O. 1386, Houston, TX 77251-1386;
  3. Or in person at the TxDOT Houston District Office, 7600 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007.

For additional information, visit http://ih45northandmore.com/final_eis.aspx.

RESTORE Council funding priorities public comment period ends Jan. 10

The RESTORE Council staff is in the midst of a public review and comment period on draft Funded Priorities List 3a, that will conclude at 11:59 pm MDT on Jan. 10, 2020. In early December, the RESTORE Council hosted and recorded two public webinars in which staff presented an overview of the Planning Framework draft, and responded to selected questions from webinar participants. For more information on the Priorities List and to make comments, visit restorethegulf.gov.

Forest Health Day

On Jan. 11, 2020, from 8-11 a.m., the Memorial Park Conservancy and Trees for Houston will host Forest Health Day, an opportunity for volunteers to get their hands dirty together with the Conservancy to restore balance in the Park’s ecologies. The event will combine tree planting with sustainable forest practices such as invasive removal and soil treatments. This is a family-friendly event that welcomes tree lovers of all levels to volunteer and learn about urban forest. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Free Farm Tours: Explore your Food

On Jan. 11, 2020, beginning at 9:30 a.m., Finca Tres Robles will offer free, 30-45-minute tours of the urban farm. The farm is more than a space for growing food – it’s a space for growing community. This is a chance to see what’s growing on the farm and meet who is growing it For more information, visit the Facebook event.

High Island Sanctuaries Work Party

On Jan. 11, 2020, beginning at 8:30 a.m., Houston Audubon will host a volunteer work party at the High Island Sanctuaries, improving both the visitor infrastructure and wildlife habitat. This is a great opportunity to get outside and meet other like minded people while making a difference. For more information and to register, see the Facebook event.

Owl Prowl at Edith Moore Nature Sanctuary

On Jan. 11, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m., Houston Audubon will host an Owl Prowl at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Participants will meet live, rehabilitated ambassador owls after an informational program at the log cabin. Afterward, participants will venture to the wooded trails in search of wild owls. 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.

  • The overriding management goal for the Cox family with Lochridge Ranch in Henderson and Anderson counties is to enhance and conserve the native ecosystem while maximizing the health, welfare and productivity of the local flora and fauna
  • Follow along as biologists track Whooping Cranes at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Using satellite GPS technology, the team hopes to help protect this endangered species.
  • Postcard from Texas: Enjoy a variety of prairie plants as the sun rises on a coastal prairie south of Houston *

Additional Upcoming Events

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