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Houston Environmental News Update January 29, 2020
January 30, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update January 29, 2020

World Wetlands Day, For the Birds!, Surfside Chats, Green Jobs, and more

This Sunday, February 2, marks World Wetlands Day, a global celebration and educational event highlighting the importance that wetlands play in the health of the environment, flora and fauna, and of course, ourselves.

The date marks the signing of the international Convention of the Wetlands in 1971, and was first celebrated in 1997, according to Wikipedia, and has grown every year since.

Here in the greater Houston-Galveston region, of course, we’re not stranger to wetlands, as attested by many of CEC’s member organizations, including the Galveston Bay Foundation, the Houston Advanced Research Organization, Bayou City Waterkeeper, Houston Zoo, Texas Coastal Exchange, the Armand Bayou Nature Center.

But now our vulnerable wetlands — and, by extension, our communities — face another ominous threat, according to Jordan Macha and Kristen Schlemmer of Bayou City Waterkeeper.

Photo: Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Last week, the Trump Administration issued a new Waters of the United States rule that removes protections for local wetlands under the Clean Water Act. As a result, write Macha and Schlemmer in a January 29 op-ed piece in the Houston Chronicle, our region will be exposed to “new flood risks.” They continue, “By gutting these basic watershed protections, the Trump administration will potentially cause significant harm to communities across the greater Houston area,” especially those to the east, near Trinity Bay, the San Jacinto River’s East and West Forks, and Cedar Bayou, where many unspoiled wetlands still exist. Pave over these natural sponges and you invite more flooding to a region that has endured it again and again over the last five years.

For deeper dives into the health of our area’s wetlands, check out these resources from the Galveston Bay Report Card, Galveston Bay Status and Trends, Texas Community Watershed Partners, and Texas Sea Grant.

As we celebrate World Wetlands Day, under the cloud of this gloomy news, we must, says Macha, “consider how everyone . . . can better protect and restore our natural systems that benefit our everyday lives.”

Photos of Galveston Island State Park and of Katy Prairie.

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

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.

Houston GREEN Film: The Need to GROW

Join CEC, the Rice Media Center and other partners on Feb. 19, 2020, for the next installment of the Houston Green Film Series. This month’s film is The Need to GROW, produced and narrated by Rosario Dawson, which tells the story of three very different leaders working to address the problems associated with industrial agriculture (see the trailer). Socializing will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. and a panel discussion afterward. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com. Sign up for additional news about the Houston Green Film Series on our Constant Contact form.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts.

Information Available from Texas Trustee Implementation Group Annual Meeting

The Texas Trustee Implementation Group held its 2019 annual public meeting on December 4, 2019 via an online video presentation. The presentation included an update on work accomplished since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and highlighted a few ongoing restoration projects and presented plans for future efforts. The presentation also discussed a new report on Texas coastal waters nutrient reduction strategies. Find links to the presentation PDF and the nutrient reduction strategies report at gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.

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. 

Armand Bayou Nature Center seeks VolunTeens

Armand Bayou Nature Center is currently accepting applications for ABNC Volunteens aged 14-17. Teens assist with EcoCamps, programs, field trips and special events. For more information visit abnc.org under “Support Us” teens; email heather@abnc.org or call 713-274-2667.  

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.

Stewardship Saturday at Katy Prairie Conservancy

On Feb. 1, 2020, from 9-11 a.m., the Katy Prairie Conservancy will host a Stewardship Saturday volunteer event at the Indiangrass Reserve. Volunteers will help manage invasive species, plant native plants, and restore prairie habitats. All ages are welcome to participate – no experience necessary! For more information, visit katyprairie.org.

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.

Hypoxia Task Force Public Meeting and Webcast

On Feb. 4, 2020, from 9:30-11 a.m. CST, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting of its Mississippi RIver/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force at EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The task force studies and implements strategies to deal with the hypoxia flows from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico. The meeting will be available through a livestream webcast. To register, visit water-meetings.tetratech.com.

Surfside Chats 2020: ROVing the Gulf

Throughout February, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration will hold a series of free “Surfside Chats”, focusing on exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Topics will range from the tools NOAA uses, discoveries made, and why the places visited are important. The venue this year is the NOAA Galveston Lab. The first chat, “Undersea Robotics”, will be held Feb. 5, and the second, “Mysteries of Black Corals”, will be held Feb. 12. Each session will be held 6:30-7:30 p.m. and all of them are also available as free webinars. For more information and to register, visit flowergarden.noaa.gov.

WISE Awards applications due Feb. 6

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is accepting Water Innovation Strategies of Excellence (WISE) Awards applications through Thursday, Feb. 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.

Call for Presenters for Gulf Coast Green 2020

The Gulf Coast Green Symposium and Expo, organized by the Architecture Institute of America’s Houston chapter, is the leading green building conference in the Gulf Coast region. The 2020 conference will be held June 5, 2020 at the University of Houston-Downtown. Organizers are seeking presenters from architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, interior design, education, the arts, planning, contracting, energy analysis, and other building-related professions for this year’s conference theme, “Sustainability + Technology.” The deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb. 7, 2020. Proposal guidelines and submittal instructions are available at aiahouston.org.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s Third Coast Regional Conference

On Feb. 8, 2020, Houston-area chapters of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host the 7th Annual Third Coast Regional Conference at the United Way. The conference id an opportunity for newcomers and experienced CCL members to learn, practice skills, inspire each other, and strategize for building the political will to move the country toward fair and economically sound climate solutions. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Get Started Living the Change!

On Feb. 9, 2020, from 2:30-4 p.m., the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston will host a presentation on how to get started Living the Change in your life/your house of worship. Living the Change is an international interfaith initiative to address climate change. This event will explain the components of Living the Change, resources available, how to host an event, and how to leverage this initiative to make real change in addressing climate change. The event will be held at Emerson Unitarian-Universalist Church. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Students for Zero Waste Week orientation webinar

Students for Zero Waste Week, sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuaries, will be held March 16-April 24, 2020. The campaign provides for ways for students to focus on reducing land-based waste in order to protect the health of local marine environments. An orientation webinar will be held on Feb. 12, 2020 from 2-3 p.m. For more information about the campaign and to register for the webinar, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov.

Mercer Lunch Bunch: Vegetable Gardening in Small Places

On Feb. 12, 2020, beginning at noon, Mercer Botanic Gardens will host a Lunch Bunch featuring Harris County Extension Horticulturist Robert “Skip” Richter, who will present information to help visitors plan a vegetable garden to fit the smallest garden spaces. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

2020 Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium

On Feb. 13, 2020, the 2020 Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium will be held in Austin. The Symposium provides water utilities with the information needed to implement successful water conservation programs, effectively engage customers, and plan for the future. Attendees will learn from state and national experts about the latest approaches, what is coming next and best practices for maximum efficiency gains. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

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.

Parks and Natural Areas Awards and Summit

On Feb. 14, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host the annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards and Summit, celebrating the winners of the 2019 H-GAC Parks and Natural Areas Awards. The event will also include presentations on trends and topics related to parks and natural areas, followed by an opportunity to network and share ideas. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.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.

  • Opening Texas´ rivers to public access is one of the roles of the Texas River Access & Conservation Areas Team. The Devils River proved to be a bit of a challenge
  • Sea Center Texas is the largest redfish hatchery in the world. Now biologists hope to replicate that success with spotted seatrout
  • The Trail Ranch near Albany, Texas has made strides in improving the land for wildlife, particularly bobwhite quail, turkey and deer

Additional Upcoming Events