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Houston Environmental News Update March 11, 2020
March 11, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update March 11, 2020

Vote for Houston Arboretum, Get Outdoors, OOK, Mad Birding, March Mart Preview, Green Jobs, and more

While much of the media recently has focused on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and elections, CEC was delighted by a great opinion article in the Houston Chronicle by former CEC board member Rebecca Luman: “Houston schools need to visit Texas parks to let kids explore, experience nature.”

Our children are our future leaders. Whether they become teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, business leaders, mechanics or park rangers, all children need the opportunity to learn and play in nature so they love and appreciate our Earth, fighting to preserve and protect the ecosystems that give us all what we need to survive and thrive. Let’s get all kids outside.

Rebecca Luman is an environmental consultant in the area and past board member of the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition.

Many local educators, both formal and informal, have expressed an interest in teaching about Greater Houston’s environment – both its challenges and its many resources. Yet, they often teach about other places for lack of local materials. They don’t know and aren’t taught how to bring kids outdoors. This leaves their students lacking in knowledge and skills about the local environment and also limits our collective need to grow the next generation of local environmental leadership.

The need for a comprehensive, free, and regional clearinghouse for quality environmental education materials has long been recognized as a pressing need for the Greater Houston Region.

Just over six months ago, we introduced you to Alicia Mein-Johnson, our new environmental specialist, whose work is to help kids learn and play in nature. One of the ways she does that is by letting teachers and administrators know about the many opportunities for professional development that are available in our region. She recently posted a list of almost forty environmental education opportunities in the Houston region – and the list continues to grow.

The hereinhouston.org website–managed by the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition in partnership with its member organizations, teachers, and other educators–collects and shares this information. You can learn about local environmental themes, field trip opportunities, lesson plans, educational loaner trunks, classroom speakers, internship opportunities, and, most recently, about professional development opportunities for teachers. HERE in Houston is still under construction, but it currently offers:

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

Open OutDoors for Kids (OOK)-Houston offers 4th-grade field trips

Open OutDoors for Kids (OOK)-Houston is an initiative to connect more kids to nature, history and culture. There are more than three dozen partner groups which facilitate educational and engaging field trip experiences for 4th grade students from across the Greater Houston Area. Teachers can easily book a field trip with one of many national, state and local park partners who provide a variety of curriculum-based natural, cultural, and historical field trips correlated with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. For more information, see hereinhouston.org.

Houston GREEN Film: Family-Friendly (and corona-virus-unfriendly) Edition

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Rice Cinema is closed in March. Houston Green Film Series will go LIVE on Facebook, instead, on March 18, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m. In honor of Spring Break, spread a blanket outside, pop some popcorn, and enjoy short movies about Houston’s wildlife. Interact with staff from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service during our watch party, too. Follow the Houston Green Film Series on Facebook to join us! 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. (Note: While the park and roller rink are open, all events at Discovery Green are canceled through April 1. We are monitoring the situation and will let you know the status of Earth Day as we get closer to the event.)

Summer Internships with CEC

The CEC will be hiring several interns this summer, and is conducting interviews this month. If you or someone you know would like to help with and learn about communication, marketing, policy, government, publications, journalism, digital media, fundraising, event coordination, business development, filmmaking, bookkeeping, and/or accounting, we invite you to learn more at cechouston.org. We post opportunities with our member organizations can be found on CEC’s Green Jobs page.

Interested in volunteering with the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition? Volunteer Info Session March 31

CEC seeks individuals who might be interested in volunteering to help with our website and newsletter, plan events, design graphics, serve on one of our committees (programs, communications, finance, fundraising and development, membership, and governance) this year, or possibly joining our board of directors in January 2021. We are hosting information sessions for prospective volunteers to learn more about the ongoing opportunities. Upcoming sessions include the evenings of March 31, May 19, and June 30. For more information, please email rachel@cechouston.org. In the meantime, you can sign up to volunteer at Earth Day at Earthdayhouston.org.

COALITION & COMMUNITY NOTES

We have endeavored to confirm the opportunities listed below. Please consider confirming directly with the hosts, particularly in light of concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Bloomberg: The Energy Elite Have Started Listening to Their Enemy No. 1 in Houston

“The environmental lawyer and Rice University professor [Jim Blackburn] shows up everywhere in Houston—at society events, on the radio, in op-eds and at government hearings—and blurts out what the city’s elite, its oil and gas executives, only whisper in their board rooms: Climate change is an existential threat to Houston, putting in real danger both its physical survival and its economic future.” Read the full story at Bloomberg.

Houston Arboretum vies in “Worth Saving” Landmarks Contest

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is one of four national landmarks participating in the second annual “Worth Saving” Landmarks Contest hosted by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). Voting has begun and is open until April 22, 2020. The landmark with the most votes will receive $20,000 and the city it is located in will receive $30,000 or more in free endodontic services. These funds would greatly help the Houston Arboretum in its dual mission of conservation and education. Vote for the Arboretum at aae.org/landmarks. Learn more about the contest at newswise.com.

Harris County Precinct 4’s Nature4Health event seeking exhibitors

Harris County Precinct 4 will host its second Nature4Health event, a free, fun-for-the-whole-family festival that shows people how nature can improve your health, at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve on May 16, 2020. They are seeking exhibitors for the event. To register to be an exhibitor, go to this link.

Mercer Lunch Bunch: March Mart Preview

On March 11, 2020, from noon-2 p.m., Mercer Botanic Gardens will hold its monthly Lunch Bunch, featuring a sneak peek presented by Mercer education staff members Jennifer Garrison and Christy Jones of the plants that will be available for purchase at March Mart, one of the most anticipated plant sales in the Texas Gulf Coast region. For more information and to register, see the Facebook event.

Houston Climate Acton Plan stakeholder meeting

On March 11, 2020, from 3-4 p.m., the Texas Campaign for the Environment and Zero Waste Houston will co-host a stakeholder meeting to discuss how the City of Houston is addressing climate change. The City of Houston Climate Action Plan looks at issues of importance to the entire community, including transportation, air and water quality, materials management and energy, and help make our city better prepared to face expected climate impacts. City staff will begin delivering our recommendations to the Quality of Life committee on March 25. This meeting gives concerned citizens an opportunity to have their voices heard The meeting will be held at 3100 Richmond Avenue, Suite 290.

Galveston Surfrider Meeting: Galveston Bay Foundation’s Sasha Francis

On March 12, from 6-8 p.m., the Galveston chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will hold its monthly meeting, featuring a presentation by Sasha Francis, community outreach coordinator for the Galveston Bay Foundation, on her recent participation in an all-female sailing research expedition in the South Pacific, including the Galápagos Islands. She will also discuss her work with the GBF. The meeting will be held at Devil and The Deep brewery, 2425 Postoffice. For more information, visit this link.

Mad Birding – Birding the Four Corners of Madagascar

On March 12, beginning at 7 p.m., Houston Audubon will host a special speaker event with retired geologist and life-long birder Steve Gast, who will share photos of the many birds and animals, along with experiences from the first-ever marathon Mad Mega-tour of Madagascar. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the United Way of Greater Houston. For more information, visit houstonaudubon.org.

Houston Sierra Club General Meeting: The I-45 Project

On March 12, 2020, from 7:30- 9.m., the Sierra Club Houston Group will hold its general meeting, featuring a presentation by Molly Cook of the “Stop TxDOT I-45” group. She will make the case that TxDOT’s current proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project design, timeline, and process are inadequate to meet the needs of Houston’s present and future populations. The meeting will be held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Pecore Hall. For more information, visit sierraclub.org.

Students for Zero Waste Week

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 March 13, 2020 from 3-4 p.m. For more information about the campaign and to register for the webinar, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov.

GCBO Bird Banding

On March 14, 2020, beginning at 8 a.m., the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will host a bird-banding session at its facility in Lake Jackson. The purpose of the project is to establish baseline data for the GCBO property on both resident and migratory bird populations. It also provides a close-up view of birds. For more information, see the Facebook event.

High Island Sanctuary Work Party

On March 14, 2020, from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Houston Audubon will host a volunteer work party at the four High Island Sanctuarries, which are internationally known birding hot spots. This is a great opportunity to get outside and meet other like minded people while making a difference. Free meals will be provided to volunteers. For more information and to RSVP, see the Facebook event.

“Caution: Roses Die Here” performance

On March 14, 2020, from 8-10 a.m., performance artist Aniya Wingate will give her debut performance, “Caution: Roses Die Here, from plantations to chemical plants,” exploring a young woman’s fight for environmental justice in historically black communities. The performance will take place at the historic Deluxe Theater in two-parts, filmed live for the feature-length documentary film Raising Aniya, directed by John Fiege, in collaboration with fellow artist, Walter Hull, who will create an immersive experience. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

East End Lagoon Nature Preserve Trail Walk

On March 14, 2020, beginning at 9 a.m., the Galveston Nature Tourism Council and the East End Lagoon Nature Preserve will host a Trail Walk along the ADA-compliant trial. Participants will be able to enjoy a relaxing stroll and learn about local wildlife. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Houston Central Chapter general meeting

On March 14, 2020, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Houston Central Chapter offer the Citizens’ Climate Lobby will hold its monthly general meeting at Emerson Unitarian Church, 1900 Bering Drive. Childcare will be provided for those who RSVP by March 12 with ages of children. RSVP to dori.wolfe@gmail.com. For more information, visit citizensclimatelobby.org.

Texas Children in Nature Summit proposals due March 15

The 2020 Texas Children in Nature Summit will be held December 3-4, 2020 at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Fort Worth Botanic Gardens in Fort Worth. During this two-day Summit, TCiN will bring together health, education, built environment, faith and conservation community leaders to shape an even brighter future for the children of Texas. TCiN is now taking session proposals for the Summit.The deadline for submission is March 15. For more information and to submit a proposal, visit texaschildreninnature.org. 

World Speech Day 2020: Climate Change

On March 16, 2020, from 10 a.m.-noon, the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center in Sugar Land will present World Speech Day 2020, featuring a series of speakers who will speak on the topic of “Climate Change” and what it means to them. For more information and to RSVP, visit eventbrite.com.

Caney Creek Watershed Bacteria Reduction Meeting

On March 17, 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 finalize a plan to reduce high concentrations of bacteria found in the Caney Creek and Linnville Bayou Watershed. 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 Caney Creek Chapel, 2426 Oak Circle, Sargent. For more information, visit h-gac.com.

“Engaging Volunteers through Citizen Scientist Programs” webinar

On March 18, 2020, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., Keep Texas Beautiful will host a webinar featuring Jace Tunnel of Nurdle Patrol and Aspen Navarro of The Meadows Center- Texas Stream Team for a look at their citizen scientist programs. They will discuss how they engaged volunteers to take part in scientific collection and study of issues affecting our Texas waterways. For more information and to register for the webinar, visit register.gotowebinar.com.

Spring Creek Greenway Ambassador 2020 program begins March 19

The Bayou Land Conservancy’s Spring Creek Greenway Ambassador program is a free adult environmental education program offered twice a year with five classes held on weeknights and weekends. As an Ambassador, participants learn about the unique features of the local ecology and all the exciting work that BLC does. After completing the program, participants will have a better understanding of what’s in their backyard, how to protect and preserve the greenway, and how yp get involved in the work that BLC does. The Spring 2020 program begins March 19. Learn more at bayoulandconservancy.org.

UH Energy Symposium: Energy Infrastructure

On March 19, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m., UH Energy will host an Energy Symposium titled “Energy Infrastructure: Bottleneck or Enabler?” The event will focus on how aging and “old energy” generation infrastructure is increasingly being retired while new generation and storage infrastructure is displaying the classic early technology challenges and not as reliable and causing significant economic impact. The event will take place at the UH Student Center South. For more information and to register, visit uh.edu.

Native Trees in the Landscape, Why and How?

On March 19, 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 Bradford Phillips, Master Arborist and co-owner of ArborBlue, on the benefits of planting native trees versus exotics and strictly ornamental species. The event will be held at the American Red Cross building. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Birdathon 2020 begins March 20

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. For more information and to register, visit houstonaudubon.org.

The Mercer Society’s March Mart

On March 20-21, 2020, The Mercer Society will host the annual March Mart, one of the oldest and largest plant sales on the Texas Gulf Coast, at the Mercer Botanic Gardens. The event features nearly 1,200 varieties of high-quality plants rarely found at local retail nurseries. For more information, visit themercersociety.org.

Bolivar Flats Beach Clean-Up

On March 21, 2020, from 9 a.m.-noon, Houston Audubon will host a volunteer beach clean-up at Bolivar Flats on High Island. The event will reduce the amount of plastics that shorebirds and wildlife are exposed to and provide great opportunities to witness the wildlife of Bolivar, the activity on the Ship Channel, and experience hands-on conservation. All ages are welcome. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Exploration Green: How A Community United to Stop Flooding

On March 21, 2020, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m, Bayou City Initiative and Exploration Green will co-host a presentation from Exploration Green Board Chairman Frank Weary, Clear Lake City Water Authority Director John Branch, and local volunteers on how they brought the vision of Exploration Green into reality. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity to tour Exploration Green. A luncheon option is available. The event will be held at Clear Lake United Methodist Church. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.

Brews on the Bayou

On March 21, 2020, from 5-9 p.m., the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will host its third annual “Brews on the Bayou” fundraising event at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, 299 Highway 332, Lake Jackson. The event will include specialty brews from local breweries, wines, live music, food trucks and a silent auction. For more information, visit gcbo.org.

University of Houston Electronics Recycling Drive

On March 25, 2020, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the University of Houston Office of Sustainability will hold its annual Electronics Recycling Drive. The entire community is invited to bring any acceptable e-waste to these drives to dispose of them in the most environmentally friendly way. Over the years, these events have diverted multiple tons of e-waste from landfills. For more details, including a list of acceptable e-waste items, visit uh.edu.

Environmental Social Governance discussion

On March 25, 2020, from 6-8 p.m., the City of Houston’s Green Building Resource Center will host a panel discussion the new drivers behind the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) revolution, and how companies are responding to demands to increase transparency on their impacts. Speakers include Amanda Hsieh, Global Affairs Associates; David MacLean, McMac Cx; and Sean Murphy, Skanska USA. For more information and to register, 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.

  • Meet Dr. Archis Grubh, a biologist who loves bugs, and check out some of the 2,000 different types of aquatic invertebrates living in the rivers, streams, and creeks of Texas
  • The slightly rolling plains of west central Texas are covered in scrubs like mesquite and juniper. Lake Colorado City is a cool contrast to the arid environment
  • Soak in the scenery around the lake, along the trails, and among the hills and hollows of Lake Mineral Wells State Park

Additional Upcoming Events

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