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Houston Environmental News Update February 5, 2020
February 5, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update February 5, 2020

Earth Day Houston deadlines, Green Film: The Need to GROW, Surfside Chats, CCL Regional Conference, Green Jobs, and more

Presented by Green Mountain Energy in partnership with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition, Discovery Green’s citywide Earth Day celebration is designed to educate, inspire and encourage action. The event features displays, exhibits and booths on topics ranging from citizen science to alternative energy to recycling methods, a foodie farmers market, unplugged – a live music acoustic mini-festival, EarthTalks and more, all in a zero-waste footprint. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2020 from 12 to 5 p.m.

Featuring exhibits, bands, food, speakers, and more, the 2020 celebration promises to inspire, educate, and motivate. And it supports Discovery Green’s mission of providing free events that promote a healthy environment and sustainable operations.

How can you be involved?

  • Exhibit! Register by Feb. 14, 2020 to be an exhibitor at earthdayhouston.org/exhibit/. Opportunities are available for nonprofits and government agencies; small, local businesses; and corporations with a commitment to the environment.
  • Sponsor! Our sponsors range value the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and our community.Benefits include unique access to the green family market, exposure of you organization to over 10,000 festival attendees, and community stewardship and volunteer opportunities.The sponsorship deadline to be included in all promotion materials is March 1, 2020; view sponsorship information at earthdayhouston.org/sponsor.
  • Volunteer! Opportunities are available for both individuals and groups. Sign up at earthdayhouston.org/volunteer.
  • Plan to Attend! Save the date 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.

CEC NOTES

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.

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.

Gulf Science and Restoration Programs Update Three-Year Funding Calendar

As a way to keep stakeholders aware of new funding opportunities, the NOAA RESTORE Science Program’s Gulf of Mexico science and restoration initiatives established following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have worked together to update a three-year funding opportunities calendar. The calendar will enable stakeholders to remain informed about opportunities and assist grant applicants in planning ahead and submitting their high-quality applications to the appropriate funding opportunity (visit restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov for additional information and a link to the calendar including a downloadable PDF).

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 is 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.

Artist Boat’s “Beautify the Bucket” registration begins Feb. 10

Artist Boat’s spring “Beautiful the Bucket” competition will be held April 18, 2020, at Moody Park in Galveston. Since 2016, over 200 trash barrels have added to the beautification efforts on Galveston’s Seawall and beaches, thanks to volunteer artists, families and students. Registration will be held Feb. 10- March 10, 2020. For more information and to register, visit artistboat.org.

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.

Surfside Chats 2020: ROVing the Gulf

Throughout February, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration is holding a series of free “Surfside Chats”, focusing on exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Topics range from the tools NOAA uses, discoveries made, and why the places visited are important. The venue this year is the NOAA Galveston Lab. “Mysteries of Black Corals”, will be held Feb. 12; “R/V MANTA, 11 Years of Service” will be held Feb. 19; and “What’s New in the Blue?” will be held Feb. 26. 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.

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.

“A New Resistance” screening and discussion

On Feb. 13, 2020, from 5-7:15 p.m., the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance will host a screening of the investigative documentary A New Resistance, which examines the effects of the chemical Glyphosate. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the film’s writer-director, Ed Brown. The event will be held at the United Way Community Resource Center. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ohbaonline.org.

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.

Urban Harvest’s 20th Annual Fruit Tree Sale

On Feb. 15, 2020, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Urban Harvest will hold its 20th Annual Fruit Tree Sale, the largest one-day fruit tree sale in the United States. Gardeners can shop for more than 100 varieties of fruit trees that are adapted to grow in the climate and soils of the greater Houston area, including selections suitable for large areas, small spaces and container gardening. Curbside service is available for people who order their trees in advance. This year’s sale will be at Sawyer Yards. For more information and to pre-purchase trees, visit urbanharvest.org.

Wetlands Planting at Exploration Green

On Feb. 15, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, Exploration Green will hold a volunteer planting event at the Phase 2 wetland site on Reseda Drive between Diana and Torrey Pines, Clear Lake City. For more information, see the Facebook event.

UH Energy Symposium: Transportation Revolution

On Feb. 18, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m., UH Energy will hold a symposium titled “Transportation Revolution: Electrified and Automated – Who Will Lead, Light vs. Heavy?” The symposium will discuss the challenges, opportunities and the pace of change in automation of passenger and freight as well as industrial fleet vehicles. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Garden Club of Houston Lecture: American Eden

On Feb. 19, 2020, beginning at 10 a.m., the Garden Club of Houston will hold the 2020 Nancy Stallworth Thomas Horticulture Lecture featuring Victoria Johnson, author of National Book Award and Pulitzer Price finalist American Eden: David Hosack, Botany and Medicine in the Garden in the Early Republic. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at St. Luke’s Methodist Church. For more information, visit gchouston.org.

Picnic for the Park

On Feb. 20, 2020, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Memorial Park Conservancy will hold its annual “Picnic for the Park” fundraiser gala at the Omni Hotel Houston. The Picnic for the Park raises critical funds for the day-to-day care of Memorial Park including its vast urban trail network that provides enjoyment, well-being, and connectivity for the millions of people who love Memorial Park. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit memorialparkconservancy.org.

What Do Mushrooms Do All Day?

On Feb. 20, 2020, beginning at 6:45 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will hold its monthly meeting, featuring a presentation by Teri MacArthur on how mushrooms work – their niche in ecosystems and especially in forested environments. Attendees will gain a better understanding of why we need decomposers and networking microbes for the health of our forests. The event will be held at the American Red Cross building. For more information, visit npsot.org.

Houston Audubon at Discovery Green

On Feb. 21, 2020, from 6-9 p.m., Houston Audubon and Discovery Green will present a screening of The Messenger, a documentary about mankind’s connection to songbirds, as part of the program series supporting “Paloma”, a public art installation of 200 colorful aluminum “origami” birds which are illuminated after dusk and accompanied by choreographed sounds. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Tree Planting at Exploration Green

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 8 a.m.-noon, Exploration Green will hold a volunteer tree-planting event its Phase 2 between Reseda Dr. and El Dorado Blvd. For more information, see the Facebook event.

#ParksByYou Day

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Parks Board will host #ParksByYou Day at two sites on two different bayous — Watonga Parkway Park and Coolgreen Corridor — in which volunteers will plant and scatter seeds that will establish healthy, native prairie and forest habitat in areas of need. For more information and to sign up, visit houstonparksboard.org.

Conservation, Ecology, and Environmental Science Career Forum

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Houston Community College’s Southeast Campus will host the 4th Annual Conservation, Ecology, and Environmental Science Career Forum. Local experts will share their career pathway experiences, and offer tips and advice to help students navigate the transition to the working world. For more information and to register, visit constantcontact.com.

Houston Youth Climate Summit

On Feb. 22, 2020, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., several environmental organizations will co-host the Houston Youth Climate Summit, open to young adults ages 15-25 years old. Environmental policy experts and community leaders will share how Houston can be at the forefront of climate justice. The event will be held at Texas Southern University. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Invasive Plant? Just Pull It!

On Feb. 26 and 27, 2020, beginning at 9 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens, to mark National Invasive Species Week, will hold invasive plant species removal events at the West Side Arboretum. While you work, learn to identify invasive species and why invasive, non-native plant species pose a threat to the local ecosystem. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Houston Incentives for Green Development

On Feb. 26, 2020, from 6-8 p.m., the City of Houston’s Green Building Development Center will host a seminar on incentives for green development in the city, led by Laura Patino, Recovery Chief of Staff in the Mayor’s Office, Michael Bloom, P.E., of RG Miller Engineers , and Anna Farrell-Sherman of Environment Texas. For more information and to RSVP, visit codegreenhouston.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.

  • New awareness is being brought to a centuries-old pathway, the Camino Real de los Tejas. Meet a man on a mission to highlight its history, and the places and cultures it connects
  • Texas Game Wardens often have a difficult time showing oyster harvesters where they can and cannot legally harvest the delectable Gulf food. Paul Daugherty went to work on the problem and wrote an App that solved the problem
  • Bats, birds and caverns are what you’ll find at Kickapoo Cavern State Park. Visitors can experience the flight of the Mexican free-tailed bat, have a guided cavern tour to see the largest column formation in Texas, and possibly see the endangered golden-cheeked warbler while exploring the park

Additional Upcoming Events