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Houston Environmental News Update January 22, 2020
January 22, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update January 22, 2020

Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Tour, Texas Envirothon Teacher Workshop, Arbor Day, Understanding Houston, Green Jobs, and more

If you’re looking for a fun, indoor activity in January, consider the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on tour at the River Oaks Theatre on January 28 and 29, 2020. Festival tickets are now on sale through Eventbrite.

Eventbrite - Wild & Scenic Film Festival On Tour - January 28 & 29, 2020, 7 PM - 9 PM each night

Hosted by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, this increasingly popular film fest features several short films each night, 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.

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

The festival includes an auction with some GREAT items, including a boat ride on Buffalo Bayou, a pontoon ride through Armand Bayou, a bat chat with the Houston Bat Team, an exclusive photograph from Jaime Gonzalez, a farm-to-table dinner with a chef from Central City Co-op, and a Peak Design Every Day Tote. Plus, fun door prizes

Please help us promote the festival by sharing our Facebook event page.

THANK YOU to our Projector Sponsors: Houston Parks Board, Kirksey Architecture and Bat Conservation International.

We are thankful for our sponsors: Hydroshack, Texas Coastal Exchange, Lower Brazos Riverwatch, Friends of Woodland Park, Cacao and Cardamom, McMac CX, The Nature Conservancy, Americas, Vossos Landscape Design, Houston BCycle, Veritex Bank, the Houston Area Bat Team, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Sierra Club Houston, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Central City Co-op, Asakura Robinson, One Breath Partnership, and Linda Paisley.

Sign up for additional news about the Houston Green Film Series on our Constant Contact form.

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

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.

Environmental Educators Exchange: Nature Play at Poe Elementary on 2/5/20

In 2016, Poe Cooperative Nursery School was recognized as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. Learn how Poe Co came to be a Certified Nature Explore Classroom at poeco.org and on the Nature Explore website. Wed, February 5, 2020, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM. Learn more and sign up on eventbrite.com.

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.

Texas Children in Nature seeks committee members

The Texas Children in Nature team is seeking regional representatives on five committees. If you are interested, consider where you’d like to plug in for a monthly collaboration call with educators around the state, and contact Sarah Coles. Teams include: access for everyone, education on the importance of nature play, public health, engaging community groups/networking and marketing across Texas.  

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council seeks public comment

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council seeks public review and comment on a proposed amendment of its 2015 Initial Funded Priorities List to approve additional time and funding for the Gulf Coast Conservation Corps (GCCC) Program.This funding would provide for a short-term extension of the GCCC Program while the Council considers longer-term funding through inclusion in its next FPL, known as FPL 3b. This 30-day public review and comment period on Gulf of Mexico Habitat Restoration via Conservation Corps Partnerships amendment will conclude at 11:59 pm CST on Feb. 14, 2020. For more information and to make comments, visit .restorethegulf.gov.

Our Region in Motion – 2020 TAG Annual Meeting

On Jan. 24, 2020, the Transportation Advocacy Group will hold its “Our Region in Motion” annual meeting at The Houstonian. The event will feature a discussion with six area county judges on the infrastructure needs and demands the region faces collectively and individually. For more information and to register, visit taghouston.org.

Nature Heritage Society Spiritual Renewal Hike

On Jan. 25, 2020, beginning at 8:45 a.m., the Nature Heritage Society will host a Spiritual Renewal Hike at The Hill at Sims Greenway. While absorbing the sights and sounds of nature along the trail, attendees will decompress, be inspired, and feel invigorated. Participants will spend time meditating, reflecting, and journaling at the top of The Hill. Each participant will receive a free journal for the journey. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Texas Envirothon Teacher Workshop

On Jan. 25, 2020, from 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m., the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake will hold a workshop for team advisers and teachers preparing team to participate in the 2020 Texas Envirothon. Participants will have an opportunity to network with experienced team advisers. For more information and to register, visit uhcl.edu.

Raptor and Education Center Tour

On Jan. 25, 2019, from 8:30-10 a.m., Houston Audubon will host a tour of the Raptor and Education Center. Learn about our native raptors and raptor conservation, meet the raptors up close with lots of photo ops and discover what it takes to run a raptor center. This private event occurs before open hours, and space is limited. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

CELF Citizen Science: Inquiry to Action Program

On Jan. 25, 2019, from 9-11:20 a.m., the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation will host a free workshop for its CELF Citizen Science: Inquiry to Action program, a semester-long program that engages educators and students in project-based STEAM learning outside of the classroom. The program culminates in a Spring 2020 Student Symposium, bringing together all participating schools to present their findings and pollution-prevention plans to community members and real-world policymakers. For more information and to register, visit celfeducation.z2systems.com.

Houston’s Arbor Day at Houston Botanical Garden

On Jan. 25, 2019, from 9 a.m.-noon, Trees for Houston will hold a volunteer tree planting event at the Susan Garver Memorial Garden at Houston Botanical Garden. For more information and to register, visit treesforhouston.org.

Arbor Day Celebration at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

On Jan. 25, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will host an Arbor Day celebration featuring free, fun activities for the whole family, including guided tree hikes, a tree sale, tree planting demonstrations, nature crafts, Johnny Appleseed meet and greet, log rolling hikes, and more. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems

On Jan. 26, from 9:45-11 a.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a presentation by Dr. Stephen Long, a public health physician, on the EAT Lancet Commission on Food, Planet & Health: Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems report. This study, compiled by 37 scientists and other experts from 16 countries, aims to establish a global food economy that could combat chronic diseases in wealthy nations like ours and provide better nutrition for poor ones, all without destroying the planet. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Houston Botanic Garden Community Celebration

On Jan. 26, 2020, from 2-4 p.m , the Houston Botanic Garden will mark the completion of the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden â€“ the first of three feature gardens included in Phase I of the site master plan to be planted – with a free community celebration. The event marks the first opportunity for neighbors and others eagerly following the Garden’s progress to get a sneak peek at just a few of the unique new features destined to make it a must-see showcase of Houston’s biodiversity and an oasis of horticultural beauty when it opens in fall 2020. Please RSVP online for planning purposes.

Houston Sunrise Movement Launch Party

The Houston Sunrise Movement, a movement of young people focused on combating climate change, is hosting several Launch Parties. The first will be held Jan. 26, 2020, from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Miner Lounge at the Rice Memorial Center on the Rice University Campus. For more information, see the Facebook event.

United We Win – Collaborating to Solve Houston’s Toughest Environmental Challenges

On Jan. 26, 2020, from 6-7 p.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a webinar featuring Jaime Gonzalez, Houston Urban Conservation Programs Manager for The Nature Conservancy, who will highlight a variety of local environmental issues, and how local people/organizations are coming together to address them. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Raptor Photo Shoot at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary

On Jan. 27, 2020, from 8-9 a.m. Houston Audubon will host a Raptor Photo Shoot at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary. Participants will have the opportunity to photograph hawks, falcons, owls and more in an intimate setting. For more information and to purchase tickets, see the Facebook event.

Take Care of Texas Video Contest voting continues through Jan. 29

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality presents the annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest. featuring short videos produced by students in 6th through 12th grades that portray positive ways Texans can help keep air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste. The public will have the opportunity to pick their favorite videos through Jan. 29, 2020. The middle and high school students who win first place will be invited to travel to Austin to be recognized by the TCEQ and Waste Management of Texas, Inc., at the 2020 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference. Learn more at takecareoftexas.org.

Understanding Houston: The Big Picture

On Jan. 29, 2020, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Understanding Houston, a collaboration between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University to serve as a central resource for longitudinal data and trends on a broad range of issues affecting the Greater Houston region, will host a presentation about its major findings across eight quality of life areas including arts & culture, civic engagement, community context, economic opportunity, education, environment, health, and housing. For more information and to register, visit understandinghouston.org.

Regional Air Quality Planning Committee meeting

On Jan. 30, 2020, beginning at 2 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Regional Air Quality Planning Committee will host a regular meeting. The featured speaker will be Yunsoo Choi, Ph.D. of the University of Houston in a presentation tilted “Deep Learning for Air Quality Forecasting”. For more information, visit h-gac.com.

Chocolate Bay Watershed Bacteria Reduction Meeting

On Jan. 30, 2020, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality invite area stakeholders to help create a plan to reduce high concentrations of bacteria found in the Chocolate Bay Watershed, including Chocolate, Halls and Mustang bayous. During the meeting, participants will review and discuss  a draft plan to address the bacteria in the impacted watershed. The meeting will be held at the Brazoria County Library-Alvin Branch, 105 S. Gordon Street, Alvin. For more information, visit tceq.texas.gov.

NOAA Explorer in Training Program applications due Jan. 31

As part of its mission to train the next generation of ocean explorers, the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research hosts undergraduate and graduate students in the Explorer-in-Training program, where participants gain valuable experience in deepwater mapping and exploration. Applications for 2020 are currently being accepted through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; click here  to apply. The application deadline is Jan. 31, 2020. For more information on the program to apply, visit oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

UH Center for Carbon Management in Energy Research Day

On Jan. 31, 2020, from 11:30-5 p.m., the Center for Carbon Management in Energy at the University of Houston will hold its first CCME Research Day, a platform of the key research to date and the challenges in carbon management identified by the CCME through its industry advisory board in presentations and poster sessions from UH’s chemical and petroleum engineering departments, earth sciences, and related policy, legal and business schools. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Moody Gardens Annual Educator Open House

On Feb. 1, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Moody Gardens in Galveston will host its Annual Educator Open House, open to all educators and school support staff (school I.D. required). Attendees can explore Moody Gardens attractions and learn more about school programs and professional development opportunities. Educators can also see what other Galveston area attractions have to offer. For more information on this free event, visit moodygardens.com.

For the Birds!

On Feb. 1, 2020, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nature Discovery Center and Discovery Green partner to present bird crafts, birding 101 station, hands-on homing pigeon encounter, Wild Birds Unlimited, and an astonishing demonstration by Birds of Prey. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit discoverygreen.com.

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill & Ecosystem Conference

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. For more information and to register, visit cvent.com.

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.

  • Follow conservationist and hunter Terrance Jackson as he travels across East Texas working to restore and harvest the Eastern Wild Turkey
  • See how some technical guidance and a lot of teamwork can transform an old mine site and mud pit along the Colorado River into an asset for the town of Bastrop and its wildlife
  • It’s hard to explain the wild flowers that one gardener calls weeds, and another considers beautiful ground cover. Their seeds blow in the wind and they find a new place to grow, they grow wherever they want, just like the wildflowers on the Duval County Ranch

Additional Upcoming Events

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