Houston Environmental News Update April 22, 2020

Earth Day and Houston Climate Action Plan, Region H Public Meeting, City Nature Challenge, I-45 expansion meeting, Green Jobs, and more

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Happy 50th Earth Day!

People are often surprised to know that Houston was part of the first observation of Earth Day in 1970.

CEC was a nascent organization at the time (incorporated in 1971), but its founders and future members were actively involved. According to the Houston Chronicle, local environmental activist Terry Hershey spoke at a kickoff rally at Miller Outdoor Theater the evening of April 21. “Citizen interest is the most important factor in the fight against pollution. We should go to public hearings and indicate to our public officials that we want the laws enforced,” she said. “You’d be surprised how effective that can be.”

Starting with front page coverage of Earth Day, the Houston Chronicle’s April 22 publication highlighted student demonstrations, presentations at local schools, pollution that kills the poor, cleanups, federal regulations and presidential apathy, and a listing of TV coverage ranging from Walter Cronkite to Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, and Dave Ward’s “And Man Created Garbage,” a story about how the City’s annual 420,000 tons of trash are laid to rest. (Editor’s note: TV-Radio Editor Ann Hodges cautions, “Don’t tune out before the credits role — there’s a nifty punchline.” What was the punchline?!?!) You, too, with only a library card, can access the Earth Day editions of the Houston Chronicle archives.

In contrast, the April 22, 2020 edition of the Houston Chronicle has only one reference to Earth Day: an event listing for a virtual community yoga celebration of Earth Day. While not explicitly tied to Earth Day, editors did include opinion pieces from Public Citizen and the Environmental Defense Fund about the Trump administration’s fealty to the oil industry and opportunities for the Texas Railroad Commission to stop or reduce gas flaring, respectively, both in the context of the tanking price of oil.

Tomorrow’s paper should include a story about the City of Houston’s Climate Action Plan, which was released by Mayor Turner early on Earth Day. Many organizations in our environmental community have characterized the plan as a critical first step towards implementation and improvement. CEC had hoped that Mayor Turner would use this year’s Earth Day Houston event to officially announce the final plan; alas, the COVID-19 situation intervened, and we had to postpone the event. You can find the full document, a press release, resources including materials from the public input meetings, and endorsement videos at greenhoustontx.gov. The plan is expected to be presented to City Council’s Quality of Life Committee on May 27.

Photo Credit: The banner photo is a compilation of images taken by NASA during the first Earth Day. Visit NASA’s #earthdayathome webpage (and social media) to find a treasure trove of interviews with scientists and astronauts, images, activities, lessons, research, and Lego challenges–all related to the 50th observance of Earth Day.

Please scroll down to read notes from our member organizations and the community.

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CEC NOTES

Capturing & Sharing Ecosystems Using Smartphone Apps

Environmental Educators, Texas Master Naturalists, and conservationists everywhere, join the CEC and its environmental education program HERE in Houston for a virtual mini-workshop to learn how to use smartphone apps to create 360* photos, videos, and soundscapes, and learn what equipment might be helpful. Jaime González, of The Nature Conservancy of Texas, will lead this free workshop. Learn more on Facebook and register in advance on Zoom.

Postponed: The Living Coast and Montopolis at MATCH

The screening of The Living Coast on June 12, 2020, at the MATCH has been postponed. Ticket holders are being notified directly. We we will let you know when it has been rescheduled.

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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).

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City Nature Challenge Houston-Galveston (online)

From April 24-27, 2020, you are invited to join Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Master Naturalists, The Nature Conservancy in Texas, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Audubon Society, Galveston Bay Foundation and many others in a fun challenge to see which city can document the most species. With the iNaturalist app, you just take a picture of a plant or animal, and the community will help identify which species it is. Any observation from the greater metropolitan area of Houston down to Galveston will count during the four day challenge. You can participate by exploring the life in your backyard or neighborhood. You can also help with IDs for other people’s logged observations to increase our species count. For more information on how to participate, visit inaturalist.org.

Check out this helpful guide on making observations around your home so you can participate in the City Nature Challenge while obeying social distancing rules and complying with park closures. There is also a list of educational resources for K-12 and beyond. You can also watch this instructional video by way of the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas.

Galveston Bay Foundation seeks video submissions for “Virtual Bay Day Festival”

The Galveston Bay Foundation has transformed its annual Bay Day Festival into a virtual celebration, which will be held on its social media channels on May 16, 2020. The Foundation is seeking submissions from of exhibition videos (5-minute maximum) which introduce participating organizations and their mission. The deadline for submitting 2-3-sentence summaries is April 24, and the deadline for videos is May 1. For the full instructions for submissions, visit galvbay.org.

Transportation Policy Committee meeting on I-45 expansion project

On April 24, beginning at 9:30 a.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will hold a virtual meeting of the Transportation Policy Council. Representatives of the City of Houston Planning and Development Department will present on the North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP). This is an opportunity for the public to hear what the City developed based on a months-long community engagement process related to the proposed I-45 expansion project. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments at the start of the meeting. Additionally, you are welcome to submit written comments to public.cmment@h-gac.com. For more information, visit h-gac.com.

Houston Climate Action Plan: A Sunrise Movement Virtual Town Hall with City Officials

On April 24, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m., the Houston Sunrise Movement will host a Virtual Town Hall with city officials to discuss the just-released Houston Climate Action Plan. The event will be livestreamed on the group’s Facebook page and at earthdaylive2020.org. Register here.

Uniting from Home: A virtual CCL event with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

On April 25, 2020, Citizens’ Climate Lobby will host an online event to celebrate the 50tth anniversary of Earth Day. Participants will hear from climate leaders, including keynote speaker Dr. Katharine Hayoe; learn about quick actions people can take to advocate for climate legislation; and receive training in breakout sessions. For more information and to register, visit citizensclimate.org.

Info Session for New Solar Co-ops forming in East and West Houston

On April 25, 2020, from 3-4 p.m., there will be an online information session about solar energy and how Solar United Neighbors of Texas, a non-profit, can help residents through the process. Solar United Neighbors is helping to establish new Solar Co-ops in east Houston and in west Houston. Houston Sierra Club is one of the local non-profits helping to publicize these projects. For more information and to register, visit meetup.com. A second webinar will be held on April 28. Register here.

Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement During COVID-19: Harris County Response

On April 29, 2020, beginning at 10 a.m., Air Alliance Houston will host an online discussion with guest speakers from Harris County about how the EPA’s and TCEQ’s decisions to curtail enforcement will impact the county’s pollution control activities and how they’re responding to new developments. The presenters will be: Dr. Latrice Babin, Director, Harris County Pollution Control Services Department; Rock Owens, Special Assistant County Attorney, Harris County Attorney’s Office; and Alexander Forrest, Assistant District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney’s Office. For more inforamation and to register, visit everyaction.com.

Nine Natives Challenge – The “Shady Line”

On April 29, 2020, the Houston chapter of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will present an online presentation featuring Beth Clark, HNPAT vice-president of HNPAT and a Principal with Clark Condon, who will discuss the Nine Natives Program developed in 2018 n collaboration with the Katy Prairie Conservancy and Central Prairie Partnership. To register for the webinar, visit zoom.us. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Webinar: Texas’s Flooding Challenges 

On April 30, 2020, beginning at 10 a.m., Texas Water Journal will present a webinar on “Texas’s Flooding Challenges,” focusing on implementation of legislation passed during the 86th Legislature. The presenter will be Matthew Berg, Ph.D., CEO and Principal Scientist of Simfero Consultants, a water resources risk management organization based in Houston, who wrote about these issues in this Texas Water Journal article. For more information and to register, visit zoom.us.

RAQPAC meeting: Effects of COVID-19 on regional air quality

On April 30, 2020, from 2-4 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Regional Air Quality Planning Advisory Committee will host a virtual meeting. The meeting will include a roundtable discussion of the effects of COVID-19 on air quality in the Houston-Galveston Bay region. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams, or by calling +1 346-262-0196  (Conference ID: 390 936  429#).

EarthEcho’s Youth Leadership Council applications due May 1

EarthEcho’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC) is a platform for today’s emerging trailblazers and visionaries in the environmental field. Comprised of diverse leaders, ages 15-22, each YLC member has demonstrated an ability to engage and mobilize their peers and their communities to have a positive impact on the planet. Applications are open for the 2020 class of EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council members through May 1, 2020. Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a YLC member and complete an application.

Birdathon 2020 continues through May 11

Houston Audubon’s Birdathon 2020 continues through May 11, 2020. with a few modifications, including a Digital Birding category. This category will allow those staying indoors to participate by using Houston Audubon’s bird cameras and live sanctuary broadcasts.

NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program

Applications are now being accepted for participation in the 2020-2021 NOAA Ocean Guardian School program, in which PreK-12 students can use school- or community-based projects to help make a difference in the health and protection of their local watersheds, the ocean and special ocean areas like national marine sanctuaries (including Texas’s own Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary). There are opportunities for schools to participate with or without funding. Applications must be submitted via email by June 1, 2020. For more information, visit noaa.gov.

Ocean Awareness Art Contest

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs invites students ages 11-18 to participate in the worldwide Ocean Awareness Art Contest by submitting visual art, film, interactive/multimedia, music, poetry, or prose that explores the theme Climate Hope: Transforming Crisis. Climate Hope asks for stories that will energize us and accelerate action and collaboration to take on the climate crisis. The deadline to participate is June 15, 2020. For full details, visit bowseat.org.

Houston Public Works asks public to “Corral the Grease”

In response to COVID19 control measures, Houstonians are cooking at home more and have increased their use of disinfectant wipes. While these measures may help control the COVID19, they can also increase the number of sewer overflows, harming public health and the environment. The main cause of sanitary sewer overflows in Houston is clogged pipes from fats, oils, and grease poured down kitchen sinks and wipes flushed down toilets. Houston Public Works needs your help to prevent these harmful sewer overflows from occurring.

The best method to reduce sanitary sewer overflows is to ensure Houstonians are putting grease and wipes in their place – the trash, never down the drain. For more information on how to safely get rid of grease, please visit publicworks.houstontx.gov.

Houston Arboretum #EarthMonth Blog

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center has launched a blog about #EarthMonth. Every week in April, visit their blog to find kid-friendly activities to do at home. This week’s challenge: produce at least one cool, artistic item using recycled materials. Share photos on their Facebook page.

COVID-19 Registry seeks public’s input

The COVID-19 Registry, a new project spearheaded by Rice University with partnering organizations, is a research study that provides real-time information to health departments on the spread of COVID-19, who is being affected, and how. The registry will help to: track virus spread over time and across geography; measure economic and health impacts; understand behavior in response to policy changes; and identify popular and effective sources of information. Data from the registry will be stored in a highly secure system built by Rice University. Things learned from the registry will be published, but will not include any information that would identify participants. For more information and to take the survey, visit rice.edu.

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.

• Straddling the Texas-Louisiana border, swampy Caddo Lake in Northeast Texas has an unusual history and an enduring air of mystery. And Caddo Lake State Park is the ideal gateway to exploring the fascinating lake
• Killam Duval County Ranch is a real working ranch that is successfully making its own way through cattle ranching and hunting leases. With 125,000 acres, they have implemented planned grazing and strategic brush management resulting in habitat that is thriving for both wildlife and cattle
• Postcard from Texas: Watch some bees and butterflies flit around some wildflowers in super-slow motion

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Additional Upcoming Events

• 5/3/20: Socially/Environmentally Responsible Investing for Houses of Worship (online)
• 5/6/20: Children’s Solar Hour with Solar United Neighbors
• 5/6/20: Environmental Educators Exchange
• 5/9/20: Houston’s [Virtual] Celebration of World Migratory Bird Day
• 5/15/20: Deadline: Call for Presentations – EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference (event in August in New Orleans)
• 5/16/20: Virtual Bay Day Festival
• 5/21/20: H-GAC Solid Waste Workshop (online)
• 5/31/20: Discovering Our Texas Native Lady Beetles (online)
• 6/1/20: Deadline: Call for Presentations for Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (event in November in Houston)
• 6/1/20-7/22/20: Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.) Outreach Workshops
• 6/5/20: Gulf Coast Green
• 6/5-8/20: World Oceans Day Festival
• 6/7-8/20: World Oceans Day Marine Biology Tours
• 6/9/20: “Know Your Watershed” Teacher Professional Development Workshop
• 6/18/20: Free Virtual Wild & Scenic Film Festival (hosted by Bayou Land Conservancy)
• 8/7/20: CEC’s Greater Houston Environmental Summit
• 9/12-16/20: Gulf Coast Land Conservation Conference (Gulfport, MS)
• 9/25-26/20: Texas Association for Environmental Education Conference (Abilene)
• 10/7-9/20: Texas State Planning Conference and Short Course for Elected and Appointed Officials (El Paso)