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Houston Environmental News Update February 26, 2020
February 26, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update February 26, 2020

Vote! World Wildlife Day, Birdathon 2020 Registration, Microplastics and River Pollution Seminar, Wetland Walkabout, Farmacology, Green Jobs, and more

This coming Tuesday, March 3, we mark World Wildlife Day! While the event was originally held to commemorate the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973, it has become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife. This year, World Wildlife Day will be celebrated under the theme “Sustaining all life on Earth”, encompassing all wild animal and plant species as key components of the world’s biodiversity. 

Earth is home to countless species of fauna and flora – too many to even attempt counting. The Houston region is also home to countless fauna and flora, but we are attempting to count them. In fact, last year, Team Houston-Galveston shocked the country by placing #1 in the USA and #3 globally for the number of species observed during the global City Nature Challenge (out of 150 cities)! The 2020 City Nature Challenge will kick off on April 22, 2020, at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with the competition from April 24-May 3. CEC will help introduce the City Nature Challenge at Earth Day at Discovery Green, where you can learn to use iNaturalist to contribute to the Challenge and to other citizen science research projects.

While the number of environmental organizations working to protect the flora and fauna of our region are not as numerous as the wild animal and plant species that call our region home, we do have more than you might suppose. Not too many to count, but too many to list here!

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: Family-Friendly Edition

Join CEC, the Rice Media Center and other partners on March 18, 2020, for the next installment of the Houston Green Film Series. In honor of Spring Break, bring the kids for a fun evening with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We’ll feature an hours worth of short films that are all about Houston’s wildlife. Felice Yarbough, the star of the show, will be there to answer questions and interact with the audience. Socializing will begin at 6:00 p.m. 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.

Earth Day Houston

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

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

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

TCN: Uncommonly high Texas temps were part of Earth’s record January warmth

“It was an exceptionally warm January around the world, and Texas was no exception. The global average temperature made 2020’s first month the planet’s warmest January on record, according to Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observations agency. It was Europe’s warmest January on record, Copernicus said, and the fifth-warmest in the contiguous United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said. In Texas, dozens of daily-high records for January were broken or tied at dozens of far-flung weather stations. An analysis by Texas Climate News of temperature readings in a federal database showed that 52 new daily-high records were set and 44 were tied at 80 stations in the state.” Read the full story from Texas Climate News.

Scenic Houston names Heather Houston as new Executive Director

Scenic Houston has selected Heather Houston as its new executive director, effective March 2. She replaces Claudia Williamson, who has been serving in an interim capacity. Houston previously served as interim executive director of Urban Harvest, where she led the organization through a strategic planning process and managed all operations,including human resources, events and fundraising. Her professional career also includes dual roles as director of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment – a subsidiary of the Houston Texans – and executive director of the Texas Bowl. “The board of directors is pleased to welcome Heather Houston,” said Scenic Houston Board Chair Marlene Gafrick in a press release. “Beyond her strong community roots and extensive marketing skills that will help raise Scenic Houston’s profile, Heather brings a passion for our mission of creating more visually attractive and functional public spaces throughout Houston.”

2020 Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium registration open

The 2020 Gulf Coast Water Conservation Symposium, with the theme “Integrating Water Management on the Texas Gulf Coast,” will be held April 21, 2020, at the United Way of Greater Houston. This year’s symposium is focused on case studies and tools to help attendees identify challenges and solutions for successfully managing water as an integrated resource. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Bayou Preservation Association accepting nominations for 2020 Board of Directors

Bayou Preservation Association

Bayou Preservation is soliciting applications and nominations for volunteer board member service. Members selected for service will begin their term in April 2020. Interested and qualified parties may find the position description, terms of service, and application by visiting bayoupreservation.org. The closing date for 2020 nominations is March 6, 2020.

Artist Boat seeking volunteer Sea Citizens

Artist Boat is recruiting passionate individuals to become members of our Sea Citizen team. Sea Citizens are Volunteer Leaders, taking a more active role in Artist Boat programs than coming to a single volunteer event. Whether your interest is in restoring habitat, educating the public with Bucket Brigade or Public Kayak Adventures, helping with events and outreach, or helping with the day-to-day tasks that keep our office running, there is an opportunity for you. Several orientation sessions will be held in the coming weeks. For more information, visit artistboat.org.

Invasive Plant? Just Pull It!

On Feb. 27, 2020, beginning at 9 a.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens, to mark National Invasive Species Week, will hold an invasive plant species removal event 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.

Birdathon 2020 registration opens Feb. 27

Houston Audubon will present Birdathon 2020, the birder’s equivalent to a walkathon, from March 20-May 11, 2020. Teams of two or more compete to count as many bird species as possible in a consecutive 24-hour period. Birdathon is primarily a fundraiser, so teams also compete to raise the most money for the best cause: bird conservation. Registration will begin on Feb. 27, and a Kick-Off Workshop will be held on March 8. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee meeting

On Feb. 27, 2020, beginning at 2 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee will hold a meeting at the H-GAC offices, 3555 Timmons Lane. On the agenda is “An Introduction to Air Quality in the Houston-Galveston Bay Region” by Graciela Lubertino, H-GAC Principal Planner. RAQPAC meetings are open to the public. For more information, visit h-gac.com.

Macroplastics and River Pollution Seminar

On Feb. 27, 2020, from 3:30-5 p.m., Texas A&M Galveston will host a seminar on microplastics and river pollution with Dr. Tim van Emmerik of the Ocean Cleanup and The Netherlands’ Wageningen University. He will discuss the danger of macroplastics in river systems, cleanup efforts, and how we can help keep our rivers healthy. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Thicket of Diversity Science Cafe’

On Feb. 27, 2020, from 6-7 p.m., the Big Thicket Association‘s Thicket of Diversity Science Cafe’ will present researcher Alison Tarter presenting on “Mussels of the Big Ticket.” The free event will be held at The Logon Cafe’, 3805 Calder Ave., Beaumont.

Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in San Antonio

Former U.S. Vice President and Climate Reality Project Chairman Al Gore will be in San Antonio from April 14-16, 2020 to train several hundred local activists to raise awareness of the climate crisis and organize their communities for action. The training will include sessions on using digital advocacy tools to move public opinion, and communicating about the urgency of the climate crisis and the abundant solutions in our hands today with diverse audiences throughout their communities. The deadline to register is Feb. 28. To learn more and register, visit climaterealityproject.org.

Understanding Houston Data Party: Nonprofit Partners

On Feb. 28, 2020, from 9-11 a.m., Understanding Houston, a collaboration between the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, will host a presentation about an interactive session, specifically designed for nonprofits, to learn how to use the Understanding Houston database website and apply learnings to their work. visit understandinghouston.org.

2020 Wildlife Beach Cleanup

On Feb. 29, 2020, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, multiple conservation nonprofits will host the first-ever Wildlife Beach Cleanup at Bolivar Peninsula. Volunteers will clean the beaches of plastics and other materials that threaten nesting birds and other wildlife. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Wetland Walkabout

On Feb. 29, 2020, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Galveston Bay Foundation and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) will host a “Wetland Walkabout” at Exploration Green’s Phase One. The free event will feature wildlife watching, wetland tours, iNaturalist training, and more. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Big Thicket National Preserve Turkey Creek Trail Hike

On March 1, 2020, beginning at 1:30 p.m., the Big Thicket Association and Big Thicket National Preserve are co-hosting their 1st Sunday Hike along the upper Turkey Creek Trail from the trail-head at FM 1943. This hike will be approximately 4 miles. Participants can meet at the visitor center at 12:45 pm and caravan with a BTA volunteer to the trail-head. RSVP by calling the Visitor Center at 409-951-6700.

Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellowship applications due March 4

The National Academies Gulf Research Program’s Science Policy Fellows gain first-hand professional experience as they spend one year alongside decision-makers at agencies across Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. With ideas, passion, and depth of knowledge in science and research, Fellows share their backgrounds to better inform decision-making. Fellows will build professional skills with the guidance of a mentor and network with colleagues, current and past fellows, and experts at the National Academies. The application deadline is March 4, 2020, at 4 p.m. CT. For more information, visit nationalacademies.org.

Parks and Public Space: What’s Next?

On March 4, 2020, from 7-8:30 p.m., the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University will present New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver in a discussion about how planning and design can create equitable, inclusive and fun places for residents of New York, Houston and beyond. The event will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. For more information and to register, visit kinder.rice.edu.

Solid Waste Management Workshop: Rules and Criminal Enforcement

On March 5, 2020, from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a Solid Waste Management Workshop, focused on rules and criminal enforcement. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

“Climate Change vs. Global Health” dinner discussion

On March 5, 2020, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., the Student Society for Global Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health will host a Multicultural Dinner featuring delicious food from various cuisines around the world and a panels discussion on the theme “Climate Change vs. Global Health”. Panelists include: John B. Anderson, Ph.D., professor of oceanography, Rice University; Bill Dawson, editor, Texas Climate News; Meredith Jennings, Ph.D., postdoctoral research scientist, Houston Advanced Research Center; and John Nielsen-Gammon, Ph.D., Texas State Climatologist and director of the Texas Center for Climate Studies, Texas A&M University. The event will be held in the Reuel A. Stallones Building, 1200 Hermann Pressler Dr. Admission is $7 at the door (cash or card) or FREE if you bring a dish to share. If you plan on bringing a dish, please sign up here and even if you are not planning on bringing a dish, please RSVP through the linked form as well.

OHBA presents “Farmacology”

On March 5, 2020, from 5:45-7 p.m., the Organic Horticulture Benefits Alliance will present Dr. Daphne Miller, a family physician, research scientist and science writer, who will discuss her book “Farmacology,” about the concept of “food as medicine” and the health impacts of farming and soil management. The event will be held at the United Way of Greater Houston. For more information, visit ohbaonline.org.

48th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta

On March 7, 2020, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will host the 48th Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta, a 15-mile canoe and kayak race along the scenic Buffalo Bayou. For more information and to register, visit buffalobayou.org.

16th Annual NatureFest

On March 7, 2020, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center will host the 16th Annual NatureFest. Nature lovers of all ages are invited to discover local environmental organizations, outdoor activities, native plants, and wildlife. This free family event includes pontoon boat tours, guided walks, live animals, and a catch-and-release fishing tank. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Party for the Prairie

On March 7, 2020, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will host its “Party for the Prairie” fundraiser luncheon at the Safari Texas Ranch in Richmond. The event will help raise funds for the Deer Park Prairie Education Program, honor prairie champions Susan and Peter Conaty, and feature silent and live auctions, and a fun test of prairie knowledge. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit texasprairie.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.

  • Follow a young hiker on her first long-distance hike on the longest trail in Texas: The Lone Star Hiking Trail. Share in her triumphs, along with fatigue, blisters, and ticks *
  • About two hours east of Dallas, you’ll find a quiet state park that has everything from hiking to fishing. Lake Bob Sandlin is a perfect hidden getaway for folks of all ages
  • Postcard From Texas: It’s naptime for some ducks along the banks the Colorado River

Additional Upcoming Events

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