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Houston Environmental News Update July 8, 2020
July 9, 2020

Houston Environmental News Update July 8, 2020

VOTE! The Story of Plastic Film Screening, Trivia Night, Wildlife 2020, Gulf Coast Green, Texas Water 2020, Heat Mapping, Green Jobs, and more

Unless you live under a rock–which is especially difficult in the gumbo ‘soil’ in much of our region–you know the importance of voting. However, even die-hard voters might not have caught wind of the primary runoff election that is happening on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 (with early voting happening this week).

Not sure whether you are registered or how to register? Not sure about what is on the ballot? You can visit votetexas.gov or contact the election official for your county (listed below).

As always, we encourage you to visit the League of Women Voters of Houston to learn more about candidates. The League, which is celebrating 100 years of service, is nonpartisan organization that believes in the power of every person to create a more perfect democracy–and they have a great voters guide.

We find inspiration in the Environmental Voter Project and the Climate Reality Action Fund campaigns, as well as the report on civic engagement completed by the Greater Houston Community Foundation with the Kinder Institute at Rice University. We encourage you to learn more.

If you are getting excited about the upcoming Texas legislative session, you might be interested in this recent post by CEC intern Hannah Guyton about the State’s budgeting process, which is in progress.

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

CEC NOTES

Workshops: Tech Tools for Virtual Environmental Engagement

Want to make virtual meetings more fun and interactive? Learn how to use Kahoot, Doodle Poll, Nearpad, Padlet, Animaker, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams to have more engaging. Sign up for a free class and learn general features of the applications, see a demonstration of how to use it, and have the opportunity to practice. Meant to be interactive, and open to anyone. Sign up on this Google Form (https://forms.gle/DUjQsgbKRP2rUHU27). Different classes on various platforms are scheduled from July 13 – July 24. Led by employees of HP as part of HP’s 40 Days of Doing Good program, in partnership with Citizens’ Environmental Coalition.

The Story of Plastic Film Screenings & Panels

The documentary film The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and its people (see the trailer). CEC invites you to screen the film at home, and then participate in one of two online Q&A sessions with several distinguished panelists. The two Q&As are on July 23, one at 12-12:30 p.m. (Amy Reed, Keep Houston Beautiful; Theresa Morris, Turtle Island Restoration Network; Steve Steltzer, Houston Green Building Resource Center); and the second at 6-6:30 p.m. (Sahar Hamzah, UH Valenti School of Communication; Charlotte Cisneros, Galveston Bay Foundation; Siri Kore, BASF Corporation). If interested, visit our Houston Green Films & Festivals website where you can find more information and register for the event. We hope this film inspires you to take action, and to consider attending or submitting a film to our virtual Wild About Houston Film Festival in October.

Trivia Night: Plastic Free July

Would you like to test your knowledge of plastics during Plastic Free July? Join us for our trivia night on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Google Meet. It will be a fun night to learn and socialize using Kahoot Trivia as we encourage you to reduce your use of plastic. If you are interested in participating, you can register on our Houston Green Films & Festivals website. We hope to see you there, and visit us on Twitter (@CEChouston) for question teasers that will potentially be asked during our trivia night!

Call for submissions: Wild About Houston Green Film Festival

The CEC is proud to host the third annual Wild About Houston Green Film Festival on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. CEC hopes to use this festival to tell local environmental stories, highlight the work of CEC’s member organizations, and to inspire our residents and visitors to make a difference in the environment and our quality of life. The festival will be held virtually to protect the health and safety of our community in these times. We invite you to submit a film for consideration. Films should be specific to the environment in the Houston/Gulf Coast Region, should be no more than seven minutes long, and must be of suitable quality to be shown publicly. Find the Submission Guidelines here, and make submissions here.

Environmental Candidate Forum video available

On June 24, 2020, CEC and other members of the Houston environmental community hosted a virtual candidate forum with Diana Martinez Alexander and Michael Moore, the two Democrats in the July 14 run-off to be their party’s candidate for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 3. (Republican Tom Ramsey will meet the run-off winner in the general election. Mr. Ramsey has agreed to participate in a general election Environmental Forum–watch for that information later.) The video of the June 24 forum can be viewed here, the Spanish audio translation can be found here, and a copy of the questions asked in English and Spanish and be found here.

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).

Plastic Free Ecochallenge in July

The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites Houstonians of all faiths to join their team for the Plastic Free EcoChallenge and make an impact on plastic pollution with personal lifestyle changes. The challenge engages participants in committing to reduce consumption of single-use plastics during July. Choose from challenges in food, personal care, community, lifestyle, pets, or family. Join the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston team at plasticfree.ecochallenge.org. You can also join the Plastic Free Houston group on Facebook, spearheaded by Houston Audubon.

Beautify the Bucket Competition

With approximately 150 beautified trash barrels already on Galveston beaches, the latest competition adds to Artist Boat’s public art to encourage people to throw their trash in the can not the sand. The Beautify the Bucket Competition is designed to allow citizens to take an active role in beautifying Galveston’s beaches in a way that also encourages better stewardship behaviors in others. Anyone can participate: individuals or groups, children and adults alike. All barrels in the Fall 2020 competition will be displayed and judged on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 8 a.m.-noon at Menard Park in Galveston. Registration is now open through July 31. Learn more and register at artistboat.org.

“Bright Spots” map for houses of worship

The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, with the assistance of Texas Impact, is creating a “Bright Spots” map for the greater Houston-Galveston region listing earth-care activities by houses of worship. To populate this map, all houses of worship in the Houston-Galveston area are asked to complete a short 5-minute online survey of their earth-care activities. If you are affiliated with a house of worship in this area, please complete the survey located here by July 31, 2020. The online “Bright Spots” map will be accessible to all, and will serve as a reference, a support, and an inspiration for current and emerging Earth-care efforts in local houses of worship. 

THEA Virtual July Town Hall

On July, 9, 2020, from noon-3 p.m., the Texas Health & Environmental Alliance will host a virtual Town Hall focusing on new information at the San Jacinto River Waste Pits Superfund Site and the Jones Road Groundwater Plume Superfund Site and an overview of historical information regarding public health and the creosote contamination in Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Deeper Dive with Buffalo Bayou Partnership: Plans and Projects

On July 9, 2020, beginning at 1:30 p.m., the Buffalo Bayou Partnership will present the first in a series of online talks highlighting upcoming plans and programs along Buffalo Bayou. The first presentation will provide an overview of previous projects and upcoming plans. The second, on July 16, will focus on the Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan. For more information on the full series and to register, visit buffalobayou.org.

Old Spanish Trail (OST)/South Union Parks Project virtual meeting

The Old Spanish Trail (OST)/South Union Parks project focuses on the potential of parks within the OST/South Union communities to provide enhanced environmental, safety, educational, entertainment, health, and wellness opportunities.  The project, which was initiated by the OST/South Union GO Arts Team, aims to enhance parks both individually and collectively as a neighborhood park network. On July 9, 2020, beginning at 6 p.m., the Houston Parks Board will hold an online community meeting to discuss the project. Learn more and register at houstonparksboard.org.

H-GAC Releases Basin Highlight Report on water quality

Each year, H-GAC’s Clean Rivers Program produces a report outlining the state of water quality in the region. The reports are submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Basin Highlights Reports includes the status and trends of water quality, as well as a brief overview of the previous year’s activities. The 2020 Basin Highlights Report, published in June, provides watershed characterizations for the Little White Oak Bayou, Clear Creek Tidal, Clear Creek Above Tidal, Mustang Bayou, and Halls Bayou watersheds. Learn more about this and past reports at www.h-gac.com.

Ask an Ecologist

On July 9, 2020 (and every Thursday through September 24), beginning at 3 p.m., Bayou Land Conservancy will present a Facebook Live event called “Ask an Ecologist.” Attendees can submit nature-related questions or topics and receive answers live. For more information, visit the Facebook event.

Gulf Coast Green 2020 Symposium and Expo (Virtual)

On July 9-10, 2020, the Gulf Coast Green 2020 Symposium and Expo will be held virtually, with the theme “Sustainability + Technology.” The conference will explore the roles that technology plays in the green building movement. Topics include green technologies as they relate to Artificial Intelligence, big data, resilience, smart buildings, construction technologies, building simulation, and public policy challenges. For more information and to register, visit aiah-gulfcoastgreen.org.

The Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Texas Coastal Exchange have partnered to make Gulf Coast Green carbon neutral. This is the first year of what is hoped to be a long-term partnership to store carbon dioxide from the conference and conference attendees in the ecosystems surrounding the Houston area. This year’s footprint from the virtual conference is estimated to be about 5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from electricity used by computers, internet, HVAC, and lighting by attendees. These emissions will be stored in about three acres of coastal wetlands owned by Scenic Galveston, Inc., part of the John M. O’Quinn I-45 Scenic Estuarial Corridor.

K-12 Social Media Toolkit for educators

Texas Children in Nature and Texan by Nature are partnering to create a K-12 Social Media Toolkit for Texas school districts to utilize social media channels to encourage families to learn about nature and get outside. This Social Media Toolkit is intended to be a resource for K12 schools that will be easy to use and provide nature based content including graphics, posts, activities, and event opportunities. The toolkit will provide best practices and an editorial calendar for schools to share nature-based content without having to create their own. In an effort to make they toolkit the best it can possibly be, they are asking educators to complete a 5-10 minute K12 Social Media Toolkit partner survey. If you have relevant content, participation incentives, activities, or events suitable for K-12 families, please feel free to submit at the survey, which you can find here.  Please fill out the survey by July 10, 2020.

2020 STAR Texas Environmental Leadership Awards nominations due July 10

The State of Texas Alliance for Recycling is accepting nominations for the  2020 Texas Environmental Leadership Award. These awards recognize individuals, communities, organizations, and businesses developing and maintaining programs involving recycling, composting, sustainable materials management, public outreach, special event recycling, and more. The awards have a new category this year – the All-STAR Elected Official to highlight those in politics who are advancing sustainability and protecting the environment in Texas. The awards will be presented in the “Rethinking Recycling” virtual event from Oct. 5-7, 2020. Award nominations are due Friday, July 10. For more information and to make nominations, visit recyclingstar.org.

WildLife 2020

Through July 11, 2020, the Texas Wildlife Associate is holding its annual convention online for the first time. “Wildlife 2020” will feature online education seminars in three tracks from experts and a varied lineup of auction items. For more information and to register, visit wildlife2020.com.

Texas Water 2020 – Virtual

Texas Water 2020, the convention of The Water Environment Association of Texas, will be held virtually, launching the week of July 13. More than 130 presenters will provide recorded versions of their rigorously peer-reviewed technical sessions. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has approved many of the sessions for operator training credit (up to 37.5 hours for water operators and up to 29 hours for wastewater operators through November 9, 2020). For more information and to register, visit txwater.org.

Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable

On July 13, 2020, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., the Houston-Galveston Area Council will host a Parks and Natural Areas Roundtable via webinar. Featured speakers will be Ashley Jones with Moore Archeological Consulting, Inc., who will discuss issues regarding parks development and cultural resources and Dr. Chris Orlea, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Pearland, who will discuss operating Parks and Natural Areas in the dynamic environment we are all immersed in. The Roundtable is open to all. For more information and to register, visit h-gac.com.

Texas Association of Environmental Professionals virtual meeting

On July 16, 2019, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Texas Association of Environmental Professionals will hold a virtual meeting with the topic “Normalization of the Abnormal: Looking at the Pandemic, the Economy, and the Regulatory Environment in Texas.” The guest speakers will be Dr. Latrice Babin, Acting Director, Harris County Pollution Control Services Department; and Jeff Saitas, Partner at Saitas and Seales/ Former Executive Director at the TCEQ. For more information and to register, visit taep.org.

Gulf Spill Restoration Council Trustee Meeting

On July 16, 2020, from 6-7:30 p.m., the Gulf Spill Restoration Trustee Council will hold its fifth annual public meeting via webinar due to current nationwide health concerns. The webinar is open to everyone and all members of the public are encouraged to attend and participate. During this meeting, the Council will present updates on the progress made by the Trustee Council and in each of the seven Restoration Areas. This meeting will also serve as the annual public meeting for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group. An opportunity will be made available for public comments after the updates are presented. To register for the meeting, visit gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov.

Simple Habitat Ponds for Homes and Gardens

On July 17, 2020, beginning at 7 p.m., the Native Plant Society of Houston will hold an online meeting featuring Christine Povinelli, who will discuss simple methods for designing and installing low-cost and low-maintenance habitat ponds with easily obtainable materials, and native Texas aquatic plants. She will also discuss the many interesting and delightful creatures that benefit (including humans) from a properly installed habitat pond and pitfalls to avoid. For more information and to register, visit npsot.org.

Texas Water Development Board seeking nominations for regional flood planning groups

The Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board is seeking nominations for individuals to serve as members of the 15 inaugural regional flood planning groups. These planning groups will be responsible for developing Texas’ first regional flood plans by January 2023, which will culminate in the state’s first-ever state flood plan. The Board will designate one individual for each of the 12 interest categories for voting positions in each of the 15 flood planning regions. For more information regarding this solicitation and for submission instructions, please review the regional flood planning group member solicitation document and use the online member nomination form. The deadline for submitting interest forms to the TWDB has been extended to July 17, 2020.

Port Houston Community Grants Program

Port Houston recently launched its new Community Grants Program. Port Houston is particularly interested in supporting programs or services that align with its current outreach priorities, including environmental stewardship and community improvements and beautification. Letters of intent are due July 17, 2020, and grant applications are due August 14. For more information, visit porthouston.com.

Virtual Bird Bash 2020

From July 18-19, 2020, the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory will host its Virtual Bird Bash 2020, an online event that will connect people all over the world to Observatory. Attendees will get to know GCBO by meeting staff, volunteers, and even our local birds! Watch as we band birds, tour the property, and interview our world-class bird experts. Attendees can show their support for GCGO’s conservation work by making a donation, buying merchandise, bidding in the auction, or even becoming a sponsor! All proceeds go to GCBO and its conservation efforts. For more information, visit gcbo.org.

Volunteers sought for Houston Harris Heat Action Team

The Houston Harris Heat Action Team (H3AT) plans to utilize data collected by volunteer “street scientists” to accelerate Houston and Harris County planning and implementation initiatives to lessen the impacts of extreme heat, including the recently released Resilient Houston strategy. The mapping project will compare temperatures across 32 areas across Harris County, including Houston, Aldine, Pasadena, Baytown, Galena Park, Deer Park, and Channelview. The campaign day will be scheduled sometime in early August when temperatures in Houston are hottest. To learn more about where the mapping project will occur, frequently asked questions, volunteer requirements, COVID-19 safety, and a growing list of resources, visit the new website www.h3at.org. If you or others are interested in participating in this opportunity, please respond on this Volunteer Intake Form (available in English and Spanish) by the extended deadline, July 20 2020.

National STEM Innovation Partnership Solicitation funding opportunity

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement invites STEM leaders to apply for a funding opportunity in the interest of increasing collaboration during the 2020-21 School Year. Proposals are being solicited from eligible STEM NETWORKS and STEM INFLUENCERS to provide high-quality NASA-related STEM content and experiences to K-12 students. These partnerships will enable the dissemination and implementation of STEM engagement opportunities tied to the Next Gen STEM project’s mission-focused activities. For more information, view the full National STEM Innovation Partnership Solicitation at nasa.gov. Applications must be submitted by July 20, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation 2020 Summer Institutes

The Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation is hosting a second virtual Summer Institute in July: Civic Science, Inquiry to Action (July 21st-23rd/28th-30th). At these Summer Institutes, teachers will focus on creating versatile PBL-styled lessons for in-person and virtual learning environments. Houston/Galveston-area teachers are encouraged to apply for scholarship opportunities connected to these two virtual learning events. For more information, visit celfeducation.org.

Call for Nominations: Board of Offshore Energy Safety

The Gulf Research Program with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is searching for experts to serve on the Board on Offshore Energy Safety. The overarching goal of the Board on Offshore Energy Safety is to contribute to reducing the systemic risk for offshore energy activities. The Program is looking for individuals with expertise in, but not limited to: Geology and Geophysics, Offshore Petroleum Engineering, Systems Engineering, Human Factors, Safety Culture, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Environmental and Occupational Health, Environmental Protection, Risk Management and Assessment, Regulation, and Oil Spill Response and Governance. The Program welcomes nominations of individuals from state agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, industry, and other sectors. Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague to serve on the Board through the online nomination form by July 22, 2020 on this form.

L.A.N.D.S. Outreach Workshops continue through August 3

The Texas Wildlife Association’s Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.) Outreach Workshops are six (6) hour trainings that introduce attendees to the TWA, in-class and outdoor lessons and activities, and how to incorporate natural resources into classrooms or programming.  Lessons focus on teaching land stewardship, native wildlife, and water conservation and are Science TEKS-aligned for Grades K-8. This year, the L.A.N.D.S. workshops are being held virtually through August 3. For more information and to register, visit texas-wildlife.org.

COVID-19 Registry seeks public’s input

The COVID-19 Registry, 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. Read the most up-to-date findings here.

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.

  • By keeping their Central Texas farm in agriculture for more than a century, Rick Castello and the Vacek family honor their heritage. By restoring native grasses, rotating cattle, and conserving land in perpetuity, they also secure their farm’s future and improve water quality for all who live downstream
  • North Deer Island near Galveston is the largest bird rookery island on the Upper Texas Coast, and it is shrinking. Erosion from waves has pounded the island for years. See what’s being done to preserve this island and protect it for the thousands of birds that nest here every year*
  • Postcard from Texas: A South Texas waterhole is a busy place as songbirds, snakes and quail gather for a bit of refreshment on a hot day

Additional Upcoming Events